Rayla Campbell says she was the victim of a violent attack during a Trump rally on Monday that resulted in a fractured shin.
Video of the encounter emerged Tuesday showing Campbell, a black Republican write-in candidate for Congress, tussling with two young women in a parking lot. The video, published by WBSM AM-1420 in New Bedford, includes physical contact and vulgar language. At times it’s hard to make out what’s happening. A link to the physical confrontation (beginning at 2:45) is below:
Campbell, who lives in Randolph, is the Massachusetts chairman of Black Voices for Trump. She is running as a write-in candidate against U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Dorchester) in Massachusetts’s Seventh Congressional District after failing to make the general election ballot.
Campbell said in a Facebook post that two women turned violent against her at the Trump rally.
“I’m ok everyone. I appreciate all of your concern,” she wrote. “I was involved in an incident leaving the New Bedford rally today that turned physical. Two individuals, both female, physically confronted and then assaulted me. I got kicked in the head and have a fractured tibia. I’m sore, that is all. Other than that I have no idea about the two females, what’s transpired or anything else and I haven’t talked to any media up to this point. I’m heading home now finally, but thank you all for your well wishes and kind words.”
I'm ok everyone. I appreciate all of your concern. I was involved in an incident leaving the New Bedford rally today…
Campbell was hospitalized following the event, according to John Paul Moran, a Republican running for Congress in the state’s Sixth Congressional District.
The Massachusetts Republican Party issued a statement following Campbell’s post, blaming the “radical left” for inciting violence.
“Rayla Campbell has stood up for her principles and today was kicked in the head …. This type of violence has become The New Normal of the Radical Left.”
The UMass Lowell College Republicans also put out a statement condemning the incident.
“A Republican Congressional candidate Rayla Campbell for Congress was beaten, kicked in the head and shin fractured,” they wrote. “If she had been a Democrat this would be national news. She’s one of many patriots who have been physically attacked for their beliefs. If we let the Democrats win after this, it’s the end of America. They will know they can cheat, beat, and burn their way into power. We have a plan to fight as hard as we can for Patriots’ victory for the last 3 weeks until the election. Anyone is welcome to join us, even if you aren’t at UMass Lowell.”
A Republican Congressional candidate Rayla Campbell for Congress was beaten, kicked in the head and shin fractured. If…
“Attacks on Americans for their political views must be treated as the serious crimes they are,” McCarthy wrote. “Some of them may seem like minor assaults on the people, but they are major assaults on our political system.”
Previously, another Trump supporter, Charlie Chase, was the victim of an attack at a pro-Trump event down on the South Coast. The 82-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran had his ribs and legs kicked in Fall River back in June.
Campbell could not immediately be reached for comment early Tuesday afternoon.
New Boston Post has contacted the New Bedford Police Department by telephone and email for further comment on the matter on Tuesday afternoon, with no immediate response. This story will be updated as further information becomes available.
