Explore the one-year anniversary of the Montgomery Boat Brawl and how social media reacted to the viral video that sparked a conversation.
Social media users are celebrating the first anniversary of the viral boat brawl at the Montgomery riverfront.
On August 5, 2023, videos captured the moment when a group of white men attacked riverboat co-captain Damien Pickett on the dock at the Montgomery Riverfront Park. Pickett, who had instructed a parked pontoon to move from the dock to make room for a riverboat to offload its passengers, was seen on the ground while the group struck him.
Several bystanders intervened to defend the co-captain, including a man named Reggie Ray, who wielded a folding chair. After video of the brawl went viral, the folding chair became known as a symbol of unity among Black social media users.
Arrest warrants were initially issued for three white men — 48-year-old Richard Roberts, 23-year-old Allen Todd, and 25-year-old Zachary Shipman — all of whom came from the private pontoon boat. Mary Todd and Ray were later charged in connection to the incident.
On Tuesday (August 5), social media users recalled the moment of unity when bystanders jumped to Pickett’s defense. Users reshared footage of one witness swimming to the dock to defend Pickett and photos of the infamous folding chair.
“Happy Montgomery Boat Brawl Day to all those who observe!” one X user tweeted.
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