CHICAGO — A Chicago activist is calling on West Side residents to join him in condemning the brutal attack of a man who was pulled from his car and beaten while a crowd shouted, ""Don't vote Trump!" and "You voted Trump?"
The attack, captured on video, happened at the intersection of South Kedzie Avenue and West Roosevelt Road in North Lawndale Wednesday afternoon.
In the 32-second video, two men, possibly teens, are seen punching and kicking an older man in the street.
As the two men attacked the victim, one witness yelled: "You voted Trump?" and "Beat his a--." Another witness said, "Don't vote Trump" and "Steal his stuff."
Anti-violence activist Jedidiah Brown, who was actually arrested last month for stealing Trump signs from suburban lawns, said the video was vicious. Even though he doesn't support Trump, he said the attack was uncalled for, and that he'd be a hypocrite to condemn the treatment of protesters in Mount Greenwood while not speaking out against this.
"How can we defeat the hatred and racism organized against us if we lower our standards to act the same way?" Brown said. "I am not for this display of intolerance and ignorance from either side, it's time to grow up and build. We have seen enough destruction..."
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Brown called on concerned Chicagoans to gather at South Kedzie Avenue and West Roosevelt Road in North Lawndale at 7 a.m. Friday to speak out against this violence.
During the attack, one of the attackers appears to steal an item from the victim, possibly a cell phone, according to the video.
After the altercation, one of the attackers entered a vehicle and fled the scene, police said.
In a second 45-second video, one of the attackers is seen jumping into the gold car at the intersection. In an attempt to stop the attacker from driving away, the victim hangs on to the rear driver's side window. As the attacker speeds away from the scene, the victim is dragged by the car, according to the video.
The 50-year-old victim was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital in good condition, Quaid said.
No suspects are in custody and the motive that sparked the attack is still under investigation, Quaid said. Anyone with information is asked to call Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.
The video, posted at 9:26 p.m. Wednesday on Twitter, was retweeted more than 4,000 times in less than 12 hours. It was also shared on YouTube and other social media sites.
Ald. Michael Scott Jr. (24th) called the violent incident "very disturbing." The North Lawndale leader is working with the Ogden and Harrison Police districts to investigate the attack.
Scott said he does not yet know whether the man is a Trump supporter.
"It is very disturbing to see any act of violence, especially an act of violence [that may have been based] on a man's political preference or views," he said. "This is something I and the people of North Lawndale will not tolerate."
Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., Scott said: "To return hate for hate does nothing but intensify the existence of evil in the universe."
In a statement, anti-violence activist and Rev. Michael Pfleger condemned the attack.
"This is unacceptable and must be condemned by everybody," the St. Sabina pastor said. "Violence is NEVER an acceptable response. Emotions are raw coming out of this election, but frustration, anger and despair do not give permission to be violent. Let us not surrender to evil, rather rise above it!!!!!"
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