A virtual federal court hearing about a challenge to Georgia’s voting machines was interrupted Friday due to someone in the Zoom call posting offensive videos and symbols, including a swastika, images from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and pornography.
The hearing had around 100 people signed in as participants and observers for a long-running battle over Georgia voting machines’ efficacy, U.S. News reported.
Before officials were able to shut down the meeting, a user under the name “Osama” posted videos and still images, some accompanied by music, by sharing their screen with the rest of the conference call.
The hearing resumed about an hour later with a virtual waiting room established so court staff moderators could vet everyone before the meeting commenced.
The hearing began Thursday and convened over a lawsuit filed by election integrity activists and voters who voiced concerns Georgia’s voting machines are unaccountable and prone to security vulnerabilities.
Plaintiffs called on U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg to order the state to use hand-marked paper ballots rather than machines for the Nov. 3 election.
Georgia officials argued the new machines had been tested thoroughly, and security measures were installed to prevent problems.
They also said the logistics for changing the voting method would be too rushed, with Election Day only 52 days away.