Social media pays tribute to the viral Montgomery brawl on one year anniversary

It's been one year since the mega-viral brawl in Montgomery, Alabama that inspired songs, dance challenges, tattoos, and memes across social media, while also becoming cultural flashpoint for race relations in America.

Videos of the August 5, 2023 incident, known online as the "Montgomery Brawl," took over social media timelines and ignited discourse about racism in the U.S. It shows a group of white boaters attacking Dameion Pickett, co-captain of the Harriott II, an attraction at Riverfront Park. Their private pontoon boats were docked in the spot designated for the city-owned cruise, with over 200 passengers on board.

"This man just put his hand on me. I was, like … it's my job, but I'm still defending myself at the same time. So when he touched me, I was, like, 'It's on,'" Pickett recalled during an interview with ABC's Good Morning America last year.

Cellphone footage shows a group of Black witnesses quickly jumping in to defend Pickett, who was tackled on the ground. At one point, teenager Aaren Hamilton Rudolph swam from the Harriott II to the dock to assist.

One scene shows a man using a folding chair during the brawl, becoming a defining symbol for the entire ordeal. It became a cultural movement about racial solidarity, experts and community advocates previously said. Although serious conversations were had about the incident, other people took a humorous approach.

"Shoutout to the Unc with the chair," rapped Gmac Cash on his song "Montgomery Brawl which has 330,000 views on YouTube.

Social media users mark 1 year since viral brawl

Some took to social media to acknowledge the one year anniversary of the brawl on Monday.

"Happy Montgomery Brawl Day," one user posted, along with pictures and a video capturing the chaotic scene.

Another user posted an artistic rendering of the brawl beneath a banner that reads "The Alabama Sweet Tea Party".

Others chimed in with clips of Pickett throwing his hat in the air − another memorable moment from the viral fight. And one poster chose to remember the fight with four simple symbols: a hat, a person swimming, a folding chair and a social media-style heart shape.

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Aftermath of the attack

According to the Montgomery Adviser, part of USA TODAY Network, there were no serious injuries from the attack. However, the drama then turned to the Montgomery Municipal Court, where the remaining chapters played out from October to December. Those arrested were each charged with misdemeanors.

And each court date, each delayed proceeding, generated media attention and a rebroadcast of those images. The following is a breakdown of how the cases ended:

• Richard Roberts, of Selma, entered guilty pleas to two counts of misdemeanor assault against Pickett and Warren. Pickett and Warren accepted the guilty pleas. Roberts was sentenced to 32 days of a four-month suspended jail sentence, to be served on weekends in a Perry County facility. He was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and pay court costs totaling $714, records show. Roberts, who threw the first punch to Pickett, the cell phone images show, was the only defendant to serve any jail time.
• Mary Todd, also of Selma, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment in the assault on Pickett. Pickett accepted the plea deal. She was ordered to attend an anger management class and pay $357 in court costs.
• Zachery Shipman, of Selma, and Allen Todd, of Orange Beach, each pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of harassment and were each ordered to serve 100 community hours, pay all court costs as well as a $100 fine and attend an anger management course. Shipman were set to serve his community service hours in Selma and Todd in Orange Beach. They were each originally charged with misdemeanor assault. Mary and Allen Todd are brother and sister.
• Reggie Ray, 42, of Montgomery, the man with the folding chair, entered a guilty plea to disorderly conduct. Ray was sentenced to 90 days in jail, which was suspended, and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service and pay court costs totaling $357. At the time, city officials declined to comment on why Ray was not charged with misdemeanor assault. However, Richard White, attorney for Roberts, said the woman Ray struck with the plastic folding chair decided not to press charges. As part of Ray's plea deal, Shipman dropped assault charges he had filed against Pickett.

Brawl inspires community gatherings

Candyce Anderson planned a commemorative walk for Monday night in Montgomery with the goal of healing and unifying Montgomery.

"It's an opportunity to bring some much-needed positive energy and create some joyful memories," Anderson told The Advertiser.

Contributing: Shannon Heupel and Alex Gladden, Montgomery Advertiser

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.