ORANGE PARK, Fla. — A Clay County protest about the state of labor under the current administration ended with people in handcuffs Monday.
In a video provided by the Clay County Democratic Party, the suspect, a man in a white shirt, can be seen carrying a flag down a sidewalk. Although the camera briefly pans away, the suspect is then seen being pushed away or hit by another protester holding a flag stick.
Pictures also provided by Clay Dems show wounds on the person who was allegedly attacked by the man in the white shirt.
A video obtained by Action News Jax shows the aftermath of the altercation. Multiple deputies with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office can be seen responding to the protest and putting two men in handcuffs.
Just two people are listed as being arrested Monday in Clay County: one for battery and resisting an officer, and another for breaching the peace. We are working to confirm if the arrests are related to the protest.
The Chair of the Clay County Democratic Party, Jackie Cetnar, described it as an attack by a Republican man on a peaceful protester.
“It was disturbing to see a veteran holding a sign that said “Protect the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic”, attacked with an American flag by a guy yelling fascist slogans and slurs and praising the KKK...The man in the camo pants is a 30 year Navy veteran, I believe. He was peacefully protesting. The man in the red hat is the attacker. He marched up the street like a raging bull after yelling and threatening protesters on the other side of the street and attacked the man in camo pants completely unprovoked. “
“The Clay County Dems have never been the agitators,” she continued. “Unfortunately, it’s always been the Republicans who are agitating us.”
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has not yet provided details regarding the altercation or party affiliations.
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Rhonda Jett, Chair of the Clay County Republican Party, issued this statement to Action News Jax:
“I am deeply disappointed that today’s protests deteriorated into arrests. As the Chair for the local Clay County Republican Party, I can tell you unequivocally that we believe in one’s 1st Amendment right to free speech even if we wholeheartedly disagree with what is being said. Nobody should be physically assaulted for expressing their beliefs in our great Country.
“To my acknowledge the individuals involved are not active in local Republican Party activities and do not represent the local Republican Party.
“Our party prides itself on God, Country, Family and Christian values….not violence.“
Action News Jax has requested and is waiting to receive reports on the incident from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
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