On Saturday, August 5, 2023, a massive brawl broke out at the Riverfront Park in Montgomery, Alabama, between a group of white boaters and a black riverboat crew member. The fight was captured on video by several bystanders and quickly went viral on social media, sparking outrage and memes. Here is everything you need to know about the Montgomery Brawl chair video and the Montgomery Riverfront brawl video 2023.
What caused the Montgomery Brawl?
According to Montgomery Police Chief Darryl J. Albert, the brawl stemmed from a dispute over a dockside parking spot between the crew of a large riverboat called the Harriet II and the owners of a small private boat. The Harriet II was carrying 227 passengers and was trying to dock in its designated space, but the private boat was blocking its way. For about 45 minutes, the captain of the Harriet II asked the private boat owners to move their boats using a PA system, but they did not comply.
The co-captain of the Harriet II, a black man named Damien Pickett, was then picked up by a smaller boat and taken to the dock to speak with the private boat owners. However, as soon as he stepped onto the dock, he was attacked by several white men who punched and kicked him. Pickett tried to defend himself, but he was outnumbered and overpowered.
The fight then escalated as more people joined in, some of them jumping into the water or throwing objects at each other. One of the most shocking moments of the brawl was when a white man wielding a folding chair hit Pickett and another black man on the head with it. The chair broke into pieces after the impact, but the man continued to swing it around.
The brawl lasted for about 10 minutes before the police arrived and dispersed the crowd. Several people were injured in the melee, including Pickett, who suffered a concussion and a broken nose.
Who has been charged so far for the Montgomery Riverfront Brawl?
The police have issued arrest warrants for four men connected to the private boat who were involved in assaulting Pickett and another riverboat employee, a 16-year-old white boy who was also struck by one of the attackers. The four men are Richard Roberts, 48, Allen Todd, 23, Zachary Shipman, 25, and Michael Smith, 26. They have been charged with third-degree assault, which is a Class A misdemeanor in Alabama and is punishable by up to a year in prison.
The police are also looking for the man who used the folding chair as a weapon during the brawl. They have asked him to contact them for further interviews as part of their investigation. They have not released his name or any other details about him.
The police have also said that they examined whether there was enough evidence to charge anyone with hate crimes or inciting a riot, but they found that the actions did not meet the criteria for such charges.
What has been the reaction to the brawl?
The brawl has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for justice from city officials, civil rights activists, and social media users. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said that he was “appalled” by the incident and that he would “ensure that justice is served” to those who attacked Pickett “for doing his job.” He also said that he would work with community leaders to address “the underlying issues that led to this senseless act of violence.”
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a civil rights organization based in Montgomery, issued a statement denouncing the brawl as “a reminder of Alabama’s long history of racial violence” and urging “a full investigation into whether this was a hate crime.” The SPLC also said that it would offer legal assistance to Pickett if he decided to pursue civil action against his attackers.
The brawl has also generated a lot of attention and discussion on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit. Many people have expressed their anger and disgust at the racism and violence displayed by the white boaters. Some have also praised Pickett for his courage and resilience in facing such an attack.
DON’T MISS: Alabama Dock F1ght Video Sparks Controversy: What Happened?
Others have made jokes and memes about the brawl, especially about the folding chair and its wielder. Some of the popular memes include:
- Comparing the chair man to WWE wrestler John Cena or other famous chair users.
- Calling Pickett “Black Aquaman” or “Black Poseidon” for his ability to swim and fight in the water.
- Editing scenes from movies or TV shows to include chairs or other objects flying around.
- Creating hashtags such as #ChairGate or #MontgomeryMadness.
Where can you watch the Montgomery brawl chair video and the Montgomery riverfront brawl video 2023?
There are several videos of the brawl that have been uploaded online by different sources. Some of the most widely viewed and shared ones are:
- A video posted by Josh Moon, a journalist, and podcaster, on his Facebook page. The video shows the entire brawl from a distance, with commentary by Moon and other witnesses. It has over 2.5 million views and 40,000 shares as of August 11, 2023.
- A video posted by CNN on its website. The video shows a closer view of the brawl, focusing on the chair man and his actions. It also includes interviews with the police chief and the mayor. It has over 1.2 million views as of August 11, 2023.
- A video posted by The Washington Post on its website. The video shows a compilation of clips from different angles of the brawl, with narration by a reporter. It also includes some background information and reactions to the incident. It has over 800,000 views as of August 11, 2023.
Final Thoughts
The Montgomery brawl chair video and the Montgomery Riverfront brawl video 2023 are shocking examples of how racism and violence can erupt in public places over trivial matters. The brawl has exposed the deep-rooted tensions and divisions that exist in Alabama and the rest of the country. It has also sparked a lot of outrage and debate about how to prevent such incidents from happening again and how to hold those responsible accountable. The brawl has also become a source of entertainment and humor for some people who have created memes and jokes about it. The brawl has captured the attention of millions of people online and offline, and it will likely remain a topic of discussion for a long time.
