Around New England

Several Dozen Turn Out To Support 82-Year-Old Man Attacked for Carrying A Trump Sign

June 7, 2020

Several dozen people turned out in Fall River this weekend to support an 82-year-old Donald Trump supporter who police say was attacked for holding a Trump sign.

U.S. Air Force veteran Charlie Chase was holding a Trump campaign sign Tuesday, June 2 at the rotary off North Main Street in Fall River when a 27-year-old man stopped his car, demanded the sign, ripped it out of Chase’s hands, and then kicked him when he was on the ground and tore the sign, according to a police report cited by the Fall River Herald News.

Chase sustained visible bruising on his back when examined at a hospital, according to the Fall River Herald News. He attended the rally Saturday, June 6.

The suspect is a clinician who works with the mentally disabled at Pembroke Hospital and is “a trained de-escalation expert,” the suspect’s lawyer told a judge Thursday, June 4 during a dangerousness hearing, according to the Fall River Herald News. He has no prior criminal record.

The suspect has been charged with assault and battery on a person over 60 years old; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (to wit, a shod foot); committing a civil rights violation with injury; and vandalizing property.

The rally in support of Chase on Saturday took place at the same rotary where witnesses say he was attacked.