Man Drives Into Crowd Of Black Lives Matter Protesters In Newton

NEWTON, MA — A man drove into a crowd of protesters as they were holding a demonstration for racial justice at City Hall Tuesday, according to the mayor's office.

The group of demonstrators, mostly students, rallied in support of the Black Lives Matter movement at the front entrance of City Hall. A man walking out of City Hall confronted them, interrupted a speech and threatened a speaker, according to witnesses.

"Then, a potentially dangerous act occurred," said Mayor Ruthanne Fuller.

The man got into his dark blue pickup truck which was parked facing Commonwealth Avenue and "reportedly drove aggressively toward the demonstrators," Fuller said.

Several protesters in the roundabout quickly moved out of the way and many were upset, according to witnesses. No one was injured.

The man sped off before police, who were around the corner, arrived. Fuller was made aware of what happened and came down and spoke to the demonstrators and made sure people who were there, including her staff who saw the man drive into the crowd, gave statements to the police.

"I take Newton’s core values of respect, acceptance and diversity seriously, and am deeply disturbed by what was reported to have occurred this afternoon," said Fuller. "People have a right to peacefully protest."

Anyone with information about the man driving the pickup truck is asked to contact Newton police at 617-796-2100.

Related:

• Newton Teen Creates Black Lives Matter Tool
• I Hear You. Black Lives Matter: Newton Mayor To Protesters

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a press release you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how to post a press release, a column, event or opinion piece.