Support for Injured Trump Campaign Volunteer

Incident

At around 4:30 PM, after finishing up a campaign event that involved a standout and speaking with voters, I was carrying supplies back to my house, including a Trump sign. As I walked, a group of young people behind me made a disturbing comment, saying I was going to get shot for carrying the Trump sign.

This was a serious threat, so I turned around. When someone mentions a firearm, you can’t ignore it. As I turned, I realized how young they were and asked why they were so upset with politics at such a young age. One of them brought up immigration, so I explained that we need to follow the legal process. I even complimented their spirit but suggested they take a civics class and learn more about the system. Honestly, I was trying to buy time to pull out my phone and record, as I genuinely felt threatened. In moments like that, your senses heighten, especially when you’re alone and outnumbered.

As I was trying to take my phone out, things escalated. One of them signaled to more kids inside a nearby Burger King. They came out, lifting their shirts to show their waistbands—a clear signal they were carrying weapons.1`

I was now truly concerned for my safety. A couple of adults came out of the Burger King, but instead of helping, they assumed I was harassing the kids and started yelling at me, even making threats of their own. The situation was getting out of control. Just then, someone from the community who knew me ran in to try to defuse things. He grabbed me by the neck and told me to walk away. I wished he hadn’t grabbed me that way, but I understood he was trying to calm things down.

Unfortunately, the kids misread the situation and thought he was attacking me, which only fueled their aggression. Suddenly, they all came toward me, shoving me. Being completely outnumbered, I grabbed one of the kids and backed up against a car so I could see where they were coming from. Within seconds, six or seven of them were in front of me, punching and kicking. What terrified me most was feeling a sharp object jab at my throat. I was trying to protect myself, but they were relentless.

Thankfully, the man who initially intervened returned and pepper-sprayed everyone to break up the fight. The kids ran back into Burger King, but as I waited for the police to arrive, they came back out, looking ready to attack again. Luckily, the police arrived just in time, and I was taken to Tufts Medical Center for evaluation.

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