Kenneth Gladney, 38, a conservative from St. Louis, said he was attacked by some of those arrested as he handed out yellow flags with "Don't tread on me" printed on them. He spoke to the Post-Dispatch from the emergency room at St. John's Mercy Medical Center, where he said he was awaiting treatment for injuries to his knee, back, elbow, shoulder and face. Gladney, who is black, said one of his attackers, also a black man, used a racial slur against him before the attack.
"It just seems there's no freedom of speech without being attacked," he said.
"It just seems there's no freedom of speech without being attacked," he said.
Statement from Kenneth Gladney’s attorney, David B. Brown:
Kenneth was attacked on the evening of August 6, 2009 at Rep. Russ Carnahan’s town hall meeting in South St. Louis County. I was at the town hall meeting as well and witnessed the events leading up to the attack of Kenneth. Kenneth was approached by an SEIU representative as Kenneth was handing out “Don’t Tread on Me” flags to other conservatives. The SEIU representative demanded to know why a black man was handing out these flags.
The SEIU member used a racial slur against Kenneth, then punched him in the face. Kenneth fell to the ground. Another SEIU member yelled racial epithets at Kenneth as he kicked him in the head and back. Kenneth was also brutally attacked by one other male SEIU member and an unidentified woman. The three men were clearly SEIU members, as they were wearing T-shirts with the SEIU logo.
Kenneth was beaten badly. One assailant fled on foot; three others were arrested. Kenneth was admitted to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center emergency room, where he was treated for his numerous injuries. Kenneth was merely expressing his freedom of speech by handing out the flags. In fact, he merely asked people as they exited the town hall meeting whether they would like a flag. He in no way provoked any argument or altercation, as evidenced by the fact that three assailants were arrested.
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Remember, back in 2008 Barack Obama told a crowd of supporters in Philadelphia “If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun.” He added, “That’s the Chicago way.”
Remember this rant by Hillary? That was when she believed dissent was patriotic.
Update: I just saw Mr. Gladney on TV. He reported that when the first thug, who was black, saw him with the flags and buttons, he said to Mr. Gladney "What kind of n----- are you?"
Update: Here is a follow-up to the above video. It shows what happens after the union thugs beat on Mr. Gladney.
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