Article content

By Keith Coffman

DENVER — A Colorado student faced misdemeanor charges on Wednesday for flinging glitter toward Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney in an increasingly frequent protest act some commentators say should be subject to prosecution.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Colorado student charged in 'glitter bomb' of Mitt Romney Back to video

The practice of “glitter bombing” has mainly been the domain of gay rights activists targeting Republican politicians and other public figures who oppose same-sex marriage.

[np-related]

But University of Colorado Boulder student Peter Smith, 20, told Reuters he threw glitter at Romney after the candidate’s speech in Colorado on Tuesday to protest against his “general political philosophy,” and not only his stance on gay marriage.

A CNN video of the incident shows Romney shaking hands with supporters in an auditorium when the glitter is thrown at him and Secret Service agents usher him away.

Smith was escorted out by other agents and local authorities, Secret Service spokesman George Ogilvie said.