Two days after a large-scale brawl Sunday on the sidewalk of Riverfront Park in Montgomery that appeared to split racially between blacks and whites, the city’s mayor assured community members Monday that he and local police would reveal exactly what led to the chaos.
Montgomery Mayor Stephen Reid said during Brief press conference Monday afternoon.
“It’s something that shouldn’t happen,” added Reed, a Democrat and the city’s first black mayor.
What happened?
several Video of the accident, which began circulating on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, shows different angles and vantage points of an ordeal that began as an argument between two people that escalated, within seconds, into a physical fight involving more than a dozen others. According to witnesses, the incident began after a black dockworker informed the occupants of a pontoon boat, all of whom were white, that their ship was in the space needed to moor the Harriot 2 Riverboat.
Several videos appear A dockworker argues with a man before another man lunges at him and throws a punch. The sound of the exchange is not audible due to the comment of the spectators. Within seconds, at least four other white men had joined in to beat up the dock worker as he lay on the ground alone. Seconds later, another black man runs towards the mound, apparently trying to calm the situation down, which appears to work for a short time as the ship’s occupants retreat to their small boat.
Meanwhile, the footage shows a black riverboat employee, who was several yards from the dock, diving into the water in an apparent attempt to help defend the dockworker.
As the riverboat docks, videos show several boatswain employees and spectators, all black, approaching the small vessel and a larger fight ensues, lasting several minutes. At least one woman was thrown into the water and two people were beaten with chairs before the police intervened and arrested several people, both black and white.
It was not immediately clear how many arrests were made after the fighting and what charges the detainees faced. The Montgomery Police Department said more arrests could be made.
“There are four active arrest warrants at this time and there is a possibility that more may follow after additional video review,” Major Saba Coleman, a spokesman for the department, told Yahoo News in a statement.
Post brawl
Given the complex ethnic history of Montgomery, a city that played a major role in American Slave Trade, Civil Rights Movement AGiven the push for black voting rights, many social media users expressed their support and appreciation for those coming to the dock worker’s vocal defense.
“If you understand the history of Montgomery—one of the most prolific slave-trading cities in the United States that turned into a brutal, oppressive apartheid regime afterward, MOST BLACKS BUT JUST GOT THE FIRST BLACK MAYOR—it gives a lot more perspective to this video,” journalist Nicole Hannah Jones , known for creating Project 1619, Books on X. “trust.”
The black person who jumped into the water to offer help, described as a hero by many, has been identified as A.J 16 years old named Arin. His parents, in a statement to Yahoo News, shared their gratitude for the outpouring of support.
“Aryn’s unwavering commitment brings great pride to his parents, making him feel grateful and touched by the strong support from around the world,” said his parents through publicist Makina Lachia. “With his eyes set on the future, he prepares with passion and is only focused on having a successful upcoming academic year.”
Attorney CJ Lawrence said that individuals Defense assistance The dock worker has been released from prison. He didn’t have an update on the others.
Reid, who said police were expected to provide further updates on the incident on Tuesday, vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
“We shouldn’t be allergic to any kind of violence in our community,” Reed told Yahoo News. “Those who choose violent actions will be held accountable by our criminal justice system.”
