President Barack Obama was interrupted by protesters on Thursday night amid a speech on college affordability.

While Obama was speaking in Syracuse, New York, two woman began shouting at him. One of the women held up a giant “Free Bradley Manning” sign.

Both women were escorted out of the event.

“She brought up an issue of importance, and that’s part of what America is all about,” Obama said.

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Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Wednesday for leaking thousands of secret U.S. documents to WikiLeaks. Her supporters have called on Obama to pardon Manning, arguing she is a whistle-blower who acted on behalf of the public.

Watch video, uploaded to YouTube, below: