Black X, formerly known as Twitter, was set on fire a few weeks ago after a video of a fight between white and Black people on a Montgomery riverfront went viral. Law enforcement was on the lookout for one particular brawler, who got up a chair and began striking a white player with it. Reggie Ray, 42, took on the role as chair swinger on Friday.
Montgomery Chief of Police Darryl J. Albert verified Ray’s confession and stated that officials “were looking to speak with him after video footage showed him ‘wielding that folding chair.'”
Ray’s purported chair swinging became a pop cultural phenomenon, spawning several memes, GIFs, and even a special rendition of the Black national song, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” which became “Lift Every Chair and Swing.”
Ray was freed from custody following his misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge, according to WSFA.
Ray’s attorney, Lee Merritt, urged the community to rally behind him and set up a GoFundMe account for the 42-year-old and others, which had raised more than $260,000, according to Newsweek.
“Funds raised here will be used to offset the cost of certain damages incurred by my clients and others involved in responding to the chaos at the riverfront,” according to the GoFundMe internet page. Medical bills, lost wages/earnings, professional services, travel, housing, and expenses are examples of such damages.
Ray is the fifth individual charged in connection with the August 5 brawl. A woman turned herself into authorities on Thursday, while three men were arrested and charged earlier this week.
According to WSFA, Montgomery Mayor Steven L. Reed said that the brawl did not fulfil the criteria for those involved to be prosecuted with hate crimes.
“At this point, the FBI has not classified these attacks as a hate crime, but the investigation is ongoing,” he stated Thursday.
Reed further stated that his feelings on the incident as mayor and as a Black man are not synonymous.
“My perspective as a Black man in Montgomery differs from my perspective as mayor. From what we’ve seen from the history of our city — a place tied to both the pain and the progress of this nation — it seems to meet the moral definition, and this kind of violence cannot go unchecked.”
The incident is still being investigated.
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