ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
Two leading authorities in the city of Asheville have publicly condemned the reported assaults that took place over the weekend during an anarchist event.
A press release from the Asheville Police Department (APD) on Wednesday made another plea with the public for information about more persons of interest in the attacks. Police had sent a release on Tuesday asking for help identifying a person of interest.
A previous APD release said officers responded to reports of fighting just before 3 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at the West Asheville Library. Police said “between 80 and 100 people were attending an ACAB seminar titled ‘Strategic Lessons from the Palestinian Resistance.’”
“ACAB” referred to the title of the weekend events: Another Carolina Anarchist Bookfair.
ONE PERSON FACES CHARGES AFTER REPORTED ASSAULT AT ANARCHIST EVENT
Three victims reported an altercation had taken place followed by an assault while they were live-streaming the event on social media. A video posted on Facebook and Instagram shows part of the events leading up to the fight and part of the fight at the seminar.
“The members of the Asheville community deserve the right to enter any community spaces with a feeling of security,” Mayor Esther Manheimer said in APD’s Wednesday release. “We will not tolerate violence, either against or carried out in our community. Asheville is a city that has thrived and honored the diversity of all its residents. We will continue to do so and not be cowed by individuals resorting to violence.”
VIDEO ADDS MORE DETAIL TO FIGHT AT ANARCHIST SEMINAR
In the video circulating online, which appeared to be shot from the back of the room, people can be heard telling others that someone was live-streaming the workshop. The video was then intermittently blocked as several attendees changed seats to obstruct the view of the person shooting the video.
While several people at the workshop can be heard saying they did not want to be on video, another person can be heard asking, “What do you have to hide?”
Minutes later, the scuffle broke out.
Police Chief Mike Lamb made the following comment in APD’s Wednesday news release:
“We at the APD remain steadfast in our commitment to reducing all acts of violence in our community, particularly those targeting vulnerable groups like our Jewish Community. Our detectives are actively investigating this incident to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
We are working alongside the District Attorney’s Office and we appreciate the information that members of our community have provided thus far to help identify the offenders.”
Anyone with information about this incident or the identity of the suspects is urged to contact APD. You can text TIP2APD to 847411 to share information anonymously or use the TIP2APD smartphone app. You can also call 828-252-1110.