Call to Support the Frederick Four: Community Members Attacked on May Day

Call to support the Frederick Four, individuals violently arrested by police in Frederick, MD on May Day. 

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On May 1st, commonly referred to as May Day, thousands of protests where planned across the US, ranging from DC to Alaska, and hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets. Local organizers held marches in Baltimore which saw over a thousand people demonstration and one in Frederick which gathered a smaller crowd of about two hundred. Both events went off without a hitch, until later in the evening a crowd of protesters were attacked by police, four of whom were beaten, falsely arrested, and then doxxed Frederick Police department on Facebook, which was picked up by Fox News and then again by neo-fascist trolls on social media.

That night after an evening of protests and marches in Frederick, a smaller group formed to continue the protest and they took to the streets. While they marched, multiple cars passed, some voicing support while other drivers attempted to injure them, with one driver striking one of the protestors. Thankfully no one was injured to the point of needing medical attention. The group eventually came to several SUVs both city and sheriff, parked in the middle of the road. parked in the middle of the road. Two or three cops exited each of the parked cars and blocked the small crowd from moving between them, before anyone could even think of potentially leaving the area, a fire truck with a police escort appeared. The Frederick Police began shouting to move out of the way for the fire engine, screaming, “Get out of the street.”

The police then attacked the protestors from behind as they were exiting the street where they started. The Frederick Police allege that the fire truck was responding to the report of an injured protestor from a vehicle attack, though due to the aggressive nature of the firefighters, we believe they were not there to administer aid; regardless, the police utilized the fire engine as a distraction to attack the crowd. The four people arrested, now known locally as ‘The Frederick Four,’ sustained multiple injuries including a concussion, lumbar fracture, cervical strain and a chipped tooth. Those injured were not treated for any of these injuries while they were held for 12 hours.

Frederick police have a reputation for instigating assaults and are known to be especially violent towards protesters who they would deem “criminals” or “antifa,” for simply wearing black and marching together. They have made it clear which protests are allowed in Frederick and which will be attacked and doxxed. Since these events occurred, the Frederick After Party Care team has been rallying support for the four comrades arrested by gathering funds for legal fees and physical therapy via social media and posting fliers at community events.

There is currently a court date set for July 3rd (subject to change) which will be followed by a block party at a near by park. The Frederick police need to be held accountable for their actions and for attacking people who are exercising their right to protest. Support the Frederick Four!

Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash