LOS ANGELES (AP) – The protesters who ambushed Ryan Lochte on “Dancing with the Stars” are defending their actions after being released from jail.
Sam Satoodeh told ABC News on Tuesday that they wanted to “get the message out that Lochte is a coward, a liar and, under Brazilian law, a criminal.”
The two rushed the stage Monday while wearing anti-Lochte T-shirts to protest the Olympic swimmer after his performance on the ABC ballroom dancing competition.
Satoodeh and Barzeen Soroudi were arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor trespassing and each held on $1,000 bail.
Lochte and swimming teammates have faced criticism since they were involved in an early-morning drunken encounter during the Olympics last month at a gas station in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They later claimed they were threatened and robbed.