The white boat owner refused to do so and attacked the Black security guard, causing a melee with black citizens coming to the aid of the security guard. – Aug 5, 2023
video of passengers of the Harriot II Riverboat coming to the aid of the Black dock worker
https://fb.watch/mgV_INXyg5/
Suspects detained after Saturday night brawl on Riverfront Park dock … Fight began between several white people and one Black man, apparently over dock space reserved for riverboat.
by Shannon Heupel
Published 11:16 am CT Aug 6 2023
Updated 6:13 pm CT Aug 6 2023
Montgomery Advertiser
Several people were taken into custody Saturday night after a fight on the dock at Montgomery’s Riverfront Park.
A video of the incident, which appeared to be racially divided, was shared Sunday on social media.
As witnesses watch from above, a fight between a Black dock worker and several white boaters happened Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at Riverfront Park in Montgomery.
Montgomery police said they responded to a disturbance at the 200 block of Coosa Street at 7 p.m. According to MPD, a large group of people were fighting. Several were detained, MPD said.
The fight was captured on video by onlookers. It’s been reported that the fight began because a pontoon boat was blocking dock space needed to park a riverboat. That area is the regular spot reserved for the Harriott II Riverboat.
On Sunday, MPD said there were four active warrants issued from the fight, with a possibility of more after review of additional videos.
“Last night, the Montgomery Police Department acted swiftly to detain several reckless individuals for attacking a man who was doing his job,” Montgomery Mayor Steven L. Reed said Sunday in a release on social media. “Warrants have been signed and justice will be served.”
One short video, posted on social media by Josh Moon of the Alabama Political Reporter, shows several white people fighting a single Black man, who according to Jasmine Williams of WSFA is a dock worker. The only audio heard is from witnesses yelling, but it appears to begin with an argument between the Black man and one of the white men. Another white man rushes and hits the Black man, who backs up and tosses his hat into the air. Then the fight begins in earnest, and several white people begin hitting the Black man.
An onlooker left, rushes to help a dock worker laying on the dock against several attackers on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at Montgomery’s Riverfront Park.
During the video, one witness, apparently watching from the riverboat, screamed repeatedly, “Y’all help that brother!” to onlookers who were on shore. It appears some people from the shore did join in to defend him, and the video shows at least one Black man dive into the water from the riverboat.
“Get up there, young buck!” yelled another voice on the video.
By the time the swimmer climbed up onto the dock, about a minute into the video, most of the altercation appeared to be over in Moon’s video.
A separate video posted by Lauryn Lauren shows scenes after that, as the Harriott II was preparing to dock. A group of people approached the pontoon boat, and more fighting broke out. At least one person fell into the water from the dock. Authorities were soon on the scene and police began taking people into custody.
“This was an unfortunate incident which never should have occurred,” Reed said. “As our police department investigates these intolerable actions, we should not become desensitized to violence of any kind in our community. Those who choose violence will be held accountable by our criminal justice system.”
As of Sunday, authorities have not released the names of the detained suspects. The Advertiser has requested additional information. MPD has not released how many suspects were detained, if they were released or remain in custody, or if they are part of MPD’s four active warrants. According to MPD, there will be additional updates Monday afternoon.
Riverfront fistfight reaches into Selma, gains national attention
Published 10:29 pm Sunday, August 6, 2023
By Lanell Downs Smith
A Saturday evening brawl at the Riverfront Park in Montgomery reached out into Selma communities and gained national attention Sunday night, as the Montgomery Police Department announced the issuing of four active warrants in connection with the disturbance. Meanwhile, individuals took to social media to share video and opinions related to the incident. Onlookers captured video footage of the fight witnesses say may have started when a dock security worker requested boaters relocate a pontoon boat which was blocking the dock so that the Harriet II riverboat could pull into the space.
Officers reported multiple persons were detained Saturday evening with charges pending.
Video footage went viral Sunday showing multiple persons in handcuffs, and throughout Sunday evening, social media commenters bantered back and forth about how the altercation began and who was involved. The identities of those detained or for whom warrants were issued have not yet been released, nor have any official motives been established for causing the ruckus. But many social media posts alleged Chase Shipman, the owner of Vasser’s Mini-Mart in Selma, was involved, while others connected a Selma teacher and other community members with the incident. Shipman denied taking part in the fight in a social media post Sunday, sharing video and writing, “I do not condone what happened. I tried to stop it and realized that I could not, so I tried to get away.
There is a video of me being the first to run away because what was happening was wrong and I did not want to be a part of it… No charges were filed against me because I was not involved. I know it was wrong and it should have never happened.”
Selma City Schools Superintendent Zickeyous Byrd issued a release Sunday on social media, denying the involvement of any school system employees. https://facebook.com/selmacityschools “The Selma City School District is aware of the unfortunate incident that took place yesterday evening on The Harriet II Riverboat dock in Montgomery,” Byrd wrote. “We have fully investigated allegations that one of our employees may have been involved. Based on our findings, there is no evidence to support that a Selma City Schools employee was involved int he incident.”
Late Sunday afternoon, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed commended the swift actions of officers who responded, calling the altercation an “unfortunate incident.”
“Last night, the Montgomery Police Department acted swiftly to detain several reckless individuals for attacking a man who was doing his job,” Reed wrote on social media. “Warrants are being signed and justice will be served.”
“This was an unfortunate incident which never should have occurred,” Reed continued. “As our police department investigates these intolerable actions, we should not become desensitized to violence of any kind in our community. Those who choose violent actions will be held accountable by our criminal justice system.”
Montgomery police officers responded to the scene of the Saturday disturbance around 7 p.m., arriving at the 200 block of Coosa Street where they found a large group of people involved in a physical altercation. Observer videos posted to social media reveal what appears to be a series of events beginning near the Alabama River water’s edge. One clip shows a Black man who appeared to be a dock worker talking to a shirtless white man who eventually strikes the worker. As the situation unfolds, onlookers attempt to separate the two before others join the fray.
A swimmer, later identified as a 16-year-old by one witness, jumped from a boat and swam towards the dock to help the docks worker.
Once the police arrived, multiple parties were questioned, and several were detained with charges pending.
The Montgomery Police Department statement indicated no further updates would be available before Monday afternoon as officers continue reviewing submitted and City surveillance camera footage. The investigation is ongoing, and officers have requested anyone with video of the events submit the footage to them at [email protected]
#MontgomeryBrawl #montgomeryriverfront
