A man has been arrested in connection to a viral brawl that occurred at a boat dock in Montgomery, Alabama. Reggie Gray, a Black man seen wielding a folding chair against white assailants in video footage, turned himself into authorities on Friday.
He has been charged with disorderly conduct and is currently being held in custody at Montgomery’s Municipal Jail. The Montgomery Police Department had been on the lookout for Gray, who was identified as the man seen wielding the chair.
Montgomery Chief of Police, Darryl Albert, noted that the incident, although witnesses claimed it was racially motivated, is not being investigated as a hate crime.
Gray’s actions in the altercation quickly gained notoriety online, with social media users rallying behind him for attempting to help the Black co-captain of the ferry boat, Harriett II, who was attacked by a group with a pontoon boat.
The co-captain had asked the boaters to move their craft so that the ferry could dock and unload passengers.
Despite the fact that Gray entered the altercation after the mayhem had already broken out, many social media users have expressed their support for him.
Some even joked about his arrest, while others called for his release and asked where they could donate towards his legal defence.
Tanesha Wright, a woman claiming to be Gray’s girlfriend, said that she and Gray were passengers on the boat. Wright established a GoFundMe campaign to assist with the legal costs linked with Gray’s involvement.
In the page description, Wright stated that her boyfriend “tried to intervene to ensure my safety, his safety, and the safety of other African Americans who were verbally, physically, and emotionally assaulted” by the white boaters.
“We are asking for the public’s help in support of anticipated legal fees and costs associated with legal representation and prior planning,” Wright continued, noting Gray’s scheduled surrender on Friday.
At the time of publication, the page had received $91 in donations toward its $20,000 target. Wright said that a fake contribution page had been set up, but she emphasized that her fundraiser was genuine.
More News –
- Three males and one woman surrender after a viral dock brawl in Montgomery, Alabama
- Following the viral riverboat fight, footage shows another altercation using a folding chair
