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A resident of South Boston was probably attacked

A resident of South Boston was probably attacked


Local news

Brian Foley, 26, posted a Facebook post about the bandage around his neck after the incident. The juveniles told police that Foley attacked first.

A resident of South Boston was probably attacked

A man carries a US flag and the Trump 2024 flag in Boston, Massachusetts on January 5, 2022. JOSEPH PRECIOSO

Last week, a local campaign volunteer for former President Donald Trump was allegedly attacked by a group of teenagers in South Boston. The minors told police that the man attacked them first.

A campaign volunteer was walking outside a Burger King on Broadway Thursday night when he was allegedly attacked by “a bunch of young people because he was carrying a Trump flag,” according to a police report obtained by Boston.com.

The volunteer is Brian Foley, 26 years old. he said Boston Herald Friday. Foley has repeatedly flown Trump flags in public areas across the city and posted videos of him confronting police and city workers, including near Boston City Hall earlier this month.

“You’re going to be shot for carrying that flag,” one of the youths allegedly told Foley. The youths then allegedly attacked him and he fought back, Foley told police. Another man passing by sprayed the juveniles with pepper spray to protect Foley, police said.

The responding officer spoke with the juveniles who claimed Foley was the aggressor and started the fight. Both young men were injured by pepper spray and sought medical attention, but later refused. The police report names two suspects, but no arrests have been made.

Foley “had visible scratches on his head and neck and was transported to Tufts Medical Center for further treatment,” the report said. He also “lost” his wedding ring during the fight. He posted on Facebook Thursday, apparently from a medical facility while wearing a neck brace.

“Can’t kill Trump, can’t kill me” he wrote on his painting. In the caption, he shared that he was “going to rest the rest of the night.” No real updates other than I’m broke. I’ll text people when I’m feeling a little better and get a message.’

Massachusetts GOP Responds, Human Rights Activist Says He Was ‘Severely Beaten’

The Massachusetts Republican Party shared a photo of Foley in “bright daylight” and condemned “criminals” who attack someone because of their political views.

“We are united in praying for his speedy recovery,” they said in a statement. “We are sure that the spirit of this proud patriot cannot be silenced; instead, it will fuel his determination to fight even harder for our cause. And we are united with him.”

The attack also receives some support from the far right. Christine Doherty, another Trump campaign volunteer and director of operations for the far-right group Super Happy Fun America, is promoting an upcoming rally in support of Foley, according to her Facebook profile.

It turns out that the rally was not organized by the Mass GP. The website listed covers the Trump campaign, solicits campaign volunteers, and has an extensive calendar of events.

“The schedule includes an amazing performance in Boston on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM to support Foley,” shared Doherty. The “Stop the Violence” flyer was posted by “Team Trump.”

“Brian was brutally beaten last Thursday for carrying Trump flags in South Boston. He suffered multiple injuries,” Doherty wrote. “Please, let’s all come together and unite to send a message that physical violence against us is never acceptable and that it won’t silence us either.”

Foley and the Mass GOP did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.

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Molly Farrar is a general assignments correspondent for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime and more.