Community Corner
Berkeley Activist Arrested At Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest: Report
Perennial champion Joey Chestnut apologized after putting 21-year-old Scott Gilbertson of Berkeley in a chokehold, USA Today reports.
BERKELEY, CA — A Berkeley animal rights activist was among three protesters arrested Monday on suspicion of trespassing at the annual July 4 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, according to published reports.
Perennial champion Joey Chestnut apologized after putting 21-year-old Scott Gilbertson of Berkeley in a chokehold after Gilbertson entered the stage while the nationally televised event was underway.
Video clips of the incident that have since gone viral show a masked Gilbertson carrying a sign that read “Expose Smithfield’s Deathstar” as he stepped in front of Chestnut, briefly getting between the competitive eater and his food.
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The animal rights advocacy group Direct Action Everywhere alleged in a news release that Smithfield Foods, which licenses the Nathan’s brand, puts profits ahead of animal welfare, public health and the safety of its workers.
“As soon as a I grabbed the guy, I realized he was a kid,’’ Chestnut told USA Today.
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“I felt bad afterwards. I was just amped up, just focused on getting back to eating. “It’s just unfortunate. I wish that it didn’t happen. It’s a bummer.''
Gilbertson said the incident left him with neck soreness, but he doesn’t believe he was seriously injured, USA Today reports.
“I don’t really have anything against Joey as a person,’’ Gilbertson told the news outlet.
“I was just trying to get my message out there and my organization’s message out there.
Chestnut briefly held Gilbertson in a chokehold before shoving him out of his way and went on to win the contest for the 15th time in 16 years. He put away 63, 20 more than second-place Geoffrey Esper.
“It looks excessive,’’ Chestnut said of the incident.
“But in my position, I don’t know, I had been waiting a long time for the contest and I wish (Gilbertson) had just stood by me and I never would have touched him. If he hadn’t elbowed me and got in front of me, it would have not been a problem. But I also wish they didn’t get on stage.’’
Police also arrested Robert Yamada, 42 of Phoenix, and Joshua Marxen, 31 of Santa Clara, in connection with the incident, according to the report.
Chestnut has Bay Area ties, too. The competitive eating champ graduated from San Jose State.
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