Bernie Sanders shielded by security as protesters try to reach stage

A group of animal rights activists briefly interrupted a Bernie Sanders rally in Northern California when they jumped barricades and tried to rush the podium.

Sanders' security stopped the protesters before they could reach the Democratic presidential hopeful, who was addressing supporters at Frank Ogawa Plaza at Oakland's City Hall Monday.

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Video of the incident shows two bodyguards immediately surrounded Sanders while nearby security personnel quickly handcuffed the protesters and escorted them out of the rally, even carrying one of them by the legs and arms.

Sanders continued his speech within minutes of the disruption.

"We don't get intimidated easily," said Sanders as he resumed his speech.

Animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere claimed responsibility for the protest, saying in a statement that it hoped to persuade Sanders to take a tough stance against factory farms.

"Bernie Sanders claims to support the 'good' farms," activist Rachel Ziegler said in the statement. "But as our repeated investigations have shown, even the 'good' farms are horrific."

In March, a man stormed the stage as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump spoke in Vandalia, Ohio before he was met by several agents.

California's primary is by far the biggest of six state contests scheduled for June 7.

Sanders currently has 1,499 pledged delegates, with Hillary Clinton at 1,769.

While superdelegates are free to change their minds at the party's convention in the summer, an Associated Press survey has Clinton with 541 superdelegates, and Sanders at 43.