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Heartwarming Surprise at AmFest: Target Employee Jeanie Beeman Honored on Stage After Viral Harassment (VIDEO)

Three speakers on stage at America Fest 2023, with one woman in a red shirt holding a microphone, discussing themes of freedom and community engagement.

Three speakers on stage at America Fest 2023, with one woman in a red shirt holding a microphone, discussing themes of freedom and community engagement.

In a touching moment that captured the spirit of conservative unity and resilience, 72-year-old Target employee Jeanie Beeman was brought on stage at Turning Point USA’s AmFest on Saturday.

Beeman, who recently became an internet sensation after being harassed by a far-left activist for wearing a Charlie Kirk “Freedom” t-shirt at work, received a hero’s welcome from thousands of attendees.

Accompanied by Jack Posobiec at the close of Benny Johnson’s speech, Beeman, sporting her now-famous red Target shirt, received thunderous applause and hugs from the hosts.

Asked by Johnson what Kirk meant to her, Beeman replied, “It meant that I can stand for freedom. I did, in a way, stand for my rights, and that’s why I watched him and everything, because I love the way he stood up and stood for God. And I love the way he talked to the students.”

The incident that thrust Beeman into the spotlight took place last weekend at a Target store in Chico, California, where she has worked for the last 20 years.

As first reported by The Gateway Pundit, the confrontation, captured on video by Michelea Ponce herself and posted to TikTok, shows her verbally attacking Beeman, who was stocking shelves, for wearing the shirt, accusing her of supporting a “racist” and calling her “f**king stupid.”

Ponce threatened to escalate the matter to Target’s corporate office, claiming the shirt violated company policy.

Beeman maintained composed throughout the ordeal and handled the unhinged activist with grace and kindness.

Speaking to the crowd at AmFest, Beeman, or “Grandma Jeanie,” as Posobiec referred to her, explained that she hopes she sets an example of how to handle yourself in these situations — and that she believes she handled it the way Kirk would have.

Backstage, Beeman was also greeted by Erika Kirk, the late TPUSA founder’s widow.

A GiveSendGo fundraiser launched by this reporter to send Beeman on vacation has now raised over $250,000.

The incident went so viral that Ponce’s employer, Enloe Health, had to hold a press conference to beg people to stop calling and demanding her termination. They did not say whether or not she was still employed.

Viral Target Meltdown Update: Elderly Woman Berated Over Charlie Kirk Tee Speaks Out, Unhinged Nurse Begs Forgiveness as Hospital Pleads ‘Stop Flooding Our Lines!’

The CEO and President of Enloe Health, Mike Wiltermood, claimed they have received over 6,000 calls from outraged citizens.

“We’re compelled, obviously, to respect people’s civil rights, and there is the law… We certainly encourage people to exercise their civil rights as they see fit, especially in their off-duty hours. But we also hope that people will have restrained civility as they do so,” he stated.

Ponce herself has also released a statement that is not written in the way she speaks, begging for forgiveness after the Chico Police announced they have dropped their investigation into the incident.

It read, in part, “I did not handle the situation the way I should have. I allowed my emotions to take over instead of choosing restraint and empathy. That was my failure, and I own it. I regret my actions, and I am genuinely sorry for the harm they caused. I wish I can go back and undo what happened, but I can acknowledge it honestly, learn from it, and commit to doing better moving forward. Again, I apologize to Jeanie and I hope that she and the community can forgive me.”

Beeman has said that she does not want any harm to come to Ponce and she does not want her to lose her job.

The post Heartwarming Surprise at AmFest: Target Employee Jeanie Beeman Honored on Stage After Viral Harassment (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.