Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

progree

(10,909 posts)
Sun Jan 17, 2021, 01:22 PM Jan 2021

MAGA protester punched by Black woman security guard fired by UMass Hospital

Source: Yahoo News

The white woman caught on tape getting into a physical altercation with a Black female security guard the evening before the Capitol riots lost her job at UMass Hospital. The termination occurred after her daughter went viral for exposing her identity on social media.

On January 5th, Therese Duke and a group of pro-Trump protesters that included other family members were filmed harassing Ashanti Smith, a security guard working at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington D.C.

After Duke made a failed attempt to grab Smith's phone out of her hand, the woman proceeded to punch Duke in the face once, to dissuade her. Following the incident, her very liberal 18-year-old daughter Helena Duke exposed her on social media.

... In that same tweet, Helena also revealed the names of her uncle Richard Lorenz and her aunt Anne Lorenz.


Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/maga-protester-punched-black-woman-215801637.html



There's a lot more at the linked article.

Oh darn, the below does NOT link to the video, shoot. Don't expect to click that ( ) blue & white arrow button and see the video

There was a video of that posted about a week ago, from CNN or MSNBC or somesuch. Will see if I can find it.







Well, here's a video, you have to get past the ad, and then skip to 1:15



15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

winstars

(4,220 posts)
4. Best part of the story: 'the woman proceeded to punch Duke in the face once, to dissuade her"
Sun Jan 17, 2021, 02:10 PM
Jan 2021

White people are funny.

progree

(10,909 posts)
7. "Initially, Smith reported that she had been fired for punching Duke"
Sun Jan 17, 2021, 04:35 PM
Jan 2021

From the linked article:
"Initially, Smith reported that she had been fired for punching Duke and is facing criminal charges."

I missed that the first time. I hadn't heard of this.

What's this about "initially"? From a quick Google search I think this is still the situation ("pending investigation" ).

EDITED TO ADD:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/Help-Ashanti-Legal-Fees-Lost-of-Employment

Greetings, My name is Ashanti Smith; I am a 28-year-old African American woman who lives in the Washington DC metropolitan area. I recently was assaulted, attacked and harassed by a group of Trump supporters on Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington DC on January 5th, 2021. A video has surfaced where I was surrounded by a group of Trump extremists, and I honestly feared for my life. The video makes me look like I am the aggressor, but it does not show what happened prior to my defending myself. People shoved me, tried to take my phone and keys, yelled racial epithets at me, and tried to remove my mask. I asked them to social distance and stay out of my personal space due to COVID 19. They refused, and I was afraid of being hurt and harmed. After being assaulted, I defended myself. I am now facing criminal charges along with being relieved from my employment pending an investigation. Which places me in a hardship situation at the moment. I am asking for support and help with funds for my legal fees and to maintain the essential things that I need to survive during this time. Any amount of help is truly appreciated.


(emphasis added by Progree)

As of now she's raised $224,708 (8.4K donors)

Another edit to add -- this one from 2 days ago. In depth
https://www.bet.com/news/national/2021/01/15/ashanti-smith-special-police-officer-speaks-out-trump-supporter.html

catrose

(5,068 posts)
12. That's what I read; it didn't look like her situation had changed.
Sun Jan 17, 2021, 06:34 PM
Jan 2021

Thanks for the details. Such a contract to how the rioters were treated; my blood is boiling.

George II

(67,782 posts)
6. I don't like violence, but I really enjoyed that punch when I saw it last week. BAM! She's lucky....
Sun Jan 17, 2021, 04:17 PM
Jan 2021

...she only got a bloody nose, she could have spent the night in the slammer, two.

Grokenstein

(5,725 posts)
8. My favorite bit is Uncle Richard's "defense" immediately afterwards
Sun Jan 17, 2021, 05:25 PM
Jan 2021

You can practically hear him go "EHN!!" as he lunges forward.

GulfCoast66

(11,949 posts)
15. Well, we white folks often have thin, kind of big long noses.
Sun Jan 17, 2021, 11:50 PM
Jan 2021

I know from unfortunate experience they are pretty easy to break. Young, dumb and drunk. Mouthed off to the wrong black guy. Spent 2 days with a swollen nose. Had it coming.

Fortunately it healed straight.

The African American woman was within her rights. They laid hands on her first. She should sue.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»MAGA protester punched by...