A Black man who was attacked by shield-wielding, masked members of a white supremacist group during their rampage in Boston two years ago has been awarded $2.8 million in damages by a US court.
In July 2022, musician Charles Murrell was targeted by members of the Patriot Front group. They cornered him against a post and subjected him to a brutal assault, consisting of kicking and punching. The US District Court in Boston later determined that this violent act was carried out with the intention of promoting a white supremacist agenda.
As they made their way down the Freedom Trail, members of the mob reportedly targeted their victim with a racial slur, adding another layer of hate to the incident.
After the police conducted an investigation into the violence, a detective determined that the “incident seemed to be motivated, at least in part, by Anti-Black bias.” However, no one faced prosecution for the incident. As a result, Murrell decided to take legal action by filing a civil suit in August 2023.
According to Judge Indira Talwani, Murrell was heading towards his saxophone performance near the Boston Public Library during the Fourth of July weekend when he noticed the presence of “Patriot Front” on the sidewalk. As he approached, Murrell observed signs that read, “Reclaim America.”
The group, led by Thomas Rousseau, has actively targeted symbols of racial equality by vandalizing both a mural and statues dedicated to George Floyd, a Black man who was tragically killed by the police. Additionally, they have defaced a mural honoring Arthur Ashe, a prominent Black tennis star.
Murrell was awarded $755,000 in damages for his injuries and lost earnings by Talwani. Additionally, $2 million in punitive damages were also granted.
Rousseau refused to cooperate with the civil case and chose not to hire a lawyer.
