News of George Floyd's death has expanded beyond just the United States. Cities in Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia have had their own demonstrations in solidarity with the Black community. Unfortunately, even while many try to dismantle an injustice system, there are clearly others who want to see it in place.
If you've been on social media at all over the past few days, you've probably seen the clip of the White man who attacked three young adults who were posting signs in the park to commemorate George Floyd. The suspect, ID'd as Anthony Brennan III, was on his bicycle when he attacked two young women and a man in an attempt to grab the fliers from their hands. Brennan ultimately assaulted one of the women when he forcibly grabbed her arm to the fliers out of her hand before trying to run the male recording the video with his bike.
He has since been arrested and charged with three counts of second-degree assault. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he ultimately turned himself in.
Needless to say, he's been fired from his job as executive VP of a company named MadeToOrder. "We discovered one of our employees engaged in disturbing, wrongful, and completely unacceptable behavior directed towards peaceful demonstrators," the note reads. "MadeToOrder has zero tolerance for this behavior, and we took immediate and decisive action, terminating the employee."
Meanwhile, he's shared a statement apologizing to the teens through his attorneys.
Anthony Brennan recognizes that his outrageous behavior toward the young adult victims on the Crescent Trail was unacceptable and wrong.
The outrage felt in our community and across our country is completely justified.
Unfortunately, several innocent people were also victimized by having been erroneously identified online, and their reputations were tarnished.
Mr. Brennan understands that his apology will not be enough to right his wrongs:
“I am sick with remorse for the pain and fear I caused the victims on the trail, and online. I am cooperating fully with authorities. I am committed to making amends by addressing, through counseling, the underlying issues that led to my abhorrent behavior.
I am dedicated to working with the Montgomery County State Attorney’s Office to provide peace to our community and justice to the victims in the video, as well as to all victims of racism and police brutality.”