Sept. 25, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BACKGROUND: Donnie Palmer, an African-American Republican from Boston challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, visited Somerville, a city in his district, on Saturday (9/24) after learning that his Democratic opponent would be joined by accompanying members of her Congressional “Squad” for a Q-and-A event at the Somerville Theater.
The event was moderated by leading Critical Race Theory proponent Ibram X. Kendi.
Palmer announced during the days leading up to the invent that he planned to peacefully protest outside the event to raise awareness after 41-year-old Shannon Brandt killed 18-year-old Republican Cayler Ellingson with his car in North Dakota over a “political argument.”
Ellingson’s murder occurred weeks after a Sept. 1 primetime address from President Joe Biden billed as a national speech on unity. Biden in his speech claimed that “MAGA Republicans” spread “fear and lies” and are working towards “destroying American democracy.”
INCIDENT: Videos uploaded to social media show two protesters being confronted by four individuals identified by former Boston Globe State House Bureau Chief Frank Phillips as ”Squad Security” members, initiating a fright in which one of the outnumbered protesters was beaten to the point of hospitalization. Palmer is shown on video breaking up the brawl, preventing further escalation.
STATEMENT BY DONNIE PALMER:
“Radical progressives are now resorting to violence to silence Black Republicans that dare to ‘step out of line’ and question their far-left agenda. You saw what happened in North Dakota, I experienced it firsthand in Somerville, and Rep. Pressley refuses to condemn it. The “Squad Security” that attacked Republicans outside Somerville Theater had to be stopped before they hurt more bystanders, so I obliged. Violence is never the answer, but it seems to be the first resort for radical progressives whenever they seek to silence Black Republicans.”
