Police Investigating Fistfight At Political Event In Somerville

SOMERVILLE, MA — Police are investigating a fight that broke out during a political event Saturday at the Somerville Theatre, reported The Boston Globe.

The fight involved Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s GOP Challenger Donnie Palmer, who is challenging Pressley in November, and followed a verbal dispute between four men and two people who were protesting the event with Palmer.

Police arrested Foster Starkes of Cambridge and Andwain Coleman of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, police said. Both men will be arraigned Monday at Somerville District Court on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

At least one person was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. It is unclear what kind of weapon was used in the fight and whether Starkes and Coleman were protestors.

Palmer, who is black, claims he stepped in to stop the people who attacked his group.

“Violence is never the answer, but it seems to be the first resort for radical progressives whenever they seek to silence Black Republicans,” he said in a statement following the fight.

Pressley’s campaign released a statement Sunday saying the fight didn’t involve them.

“During the community celebration on Saturday in Somerville, event security was made aware of an altercation that took place in the Davis Square area,” the statement said. “This altercation did not involve event security or anyone associated with the community celebration, and was handled by the Somerville Police Department.”