A University of Colorado Boulder student faces misdemeanor charges after flinging glitter towards presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Tuesday. The practice, known as "glitter bombing" has been used by protestors advocating for gay rights and has become a common security issue faced by politicians.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has advocated for arresting protestors who glitter bomb, saying that the practice is an assault. However, because it is an act of political protest, glitter bombing may be granted protection under the first amendment as a form of free speech.

A video of the recent incident shows Romney shaking hands with supporters at a rally when the glitter was thrown, and then the student is ushered away by Secret Service agents.

The student faces misdemeanor charges for creating a disturbance, throwing a missing and an unlawful act on school property, according to the Denver police. These charges could result in up to six months in jail along with a $1,000 fine if he is convicted. The student has also been dismissed from his internship with the Colorado Senate.

Many politicians have faced glitter-wielding protestors, including many of the current candidates for the Republican presidential nomination. Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul have all been targeted. At this time, it appears that the Colorado student is among the first to be charged with a crime for the protest action.

A spokesperson for the Secret Service has said that their priority is to make sure everything is safe and secure for the President and the candidates, but did not specifically mention whether or not they perceive glitter-bombing as a pressing problem.

Source: Reuters, "Colorado student charged in "glitter bombing" of Romney," Feb. 8, 2012.