A Massachusetts woman has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an elderly man who was expressing support for President Donald Trump.
Kiara R. Dudley, 34, of Douglas, is accused of assault and battery on an elderly person causing injury following an incident at the intersection of Main and Webster Streets on Saturday.
Douglas Police said that they were called to reports of a disturbance at around 12:08 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene, they learned that a couple had been stood at the intersection to show support for the president by holding up flags and signs.
Police said after around 30 minutes of the couple standing there, a group of people approached and started to berate and insult them and demand that they leave.
As the elderly couple began to walk away, Dudley is alleged to have bumped into the victim, a 73-year-old Vietnam veteran, with her body.
The suspect is then accused of stepping on the elderly man's "Veterans for Trump" sign. As he bent down to pick it up, Dudley allegedly knocked him to the ground, causing him an injury to his finger.
Dudley was arrested by police and is being charged with assault and battery on an elderly person causing injury. She was released on $250 cash bail and will be arraigned in Uxbridge District Court today at 9:00 a.m.
The booking photo released by Douglas Police shows Dudley wearing a sticker of support for Vermont senator and former 2020 presidential candidate hopeful Bernie Sanders.
Douglas Police has been contacted for an update.
Last month, a woman was accused of attacking a 12-year-old boy carrying a Trump lawn sign while riding his bicycle in Colorado.
Boulder Police said they were called to an assault at Folsom and Greenwood on September 7.
According to police, the woman rode past on her moped before making a U-turn and "began assaulting him because of his political banner."
The suspect, a white female in her 20s or 30s, is alleged to have hit the child several times on the head and arms with a closed fist.
The boy was not seriously injured as a result of the alleged assault, although he was left with a scratch on his arm that "burned," his father said.
Police said the woman also unsuccessfully attempted to remove the banner.
The Republican National Committee urged the Colorado Democrats and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to "disavow this act of hatred and violence on a child."
