It’s been a few days since the massive brawl on the Montgomery Riverfront broke out and it’s still a big trending topic. Not only has it sparked an online debate about race but it has specifically become the talk of Black Twitter.
As we previously reported, several videos posted online of the Saturday (Aug. 5) incident showed a Black man being charged at and struck by a white man at Riverfront Park in Montgomery! It all started after the Black man who reportedly worked at the popular boating site as a security guard, advised a parked pontoon to move from the dock to make way for the Harriott II Riverboat that needed to offload its passengers. However, the intense conversation took a violent turn as the two men began to scuffle. Moments later, two more white men joined in and started beating on the guard.
A group of Black folks nearby noticed what was going on and quickly sprung into action. One person could even be seen jumping from a boat and swimming to the dock to help defend the guard. Of course, with great strength, a lot of anger, and a good ol’ chair, they seemed to overpower the swarm of white aggressors. Just like every viral moment, it sparked a wave of memes. However, Black Twitter has also expressed pride in the show of unity among Black men. Instagram user Don Kajuan felt so compelled by the video that he got a tattoo in honor of the Alabama brawl. He told us, “I’m proud to see Black people stand together and protect each other. That chair has become a symbol overnight of Black unity.” He added,
“So me & my talented wife decided to take it up a notch and do a tribute tattoo.” Check out his fresh ink below:
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What Has Happened Since The Brawl?
Montgomery police have confirmed that they responded to reports of a disturbance on the 200 block of Coosa Street in the area of the Montgomery riverfront park. They said officers had “located a large group of subjects engaged in a physical altercation”. A police statement added, “Several subjects have been detained, and any charges are pending.”
Montgomery’s mayor, Steven Reed, also confirmed in a statement on Sunday that several people involved in the Saturday evening fight have been detained. “Justice will be served,” he said. “This was an unfortunate incident which never should have occurred.”
Who Are The People Involved?
So far, Montgomery Police Department Darryl Albert announced assault charges for the following men this Tuesday: Zachery Shipman, 25; Richard Roberts, 48; and Allen Todd, 23. It was also said that one of the men was in police custody and the two others were expected to turn themselves into police by this afternoon, Fox News notes.