August 12th 2023.
Dock worker Damien Pickett has spoken out about the terrifying incident that occurred on Aug. 5 in Montgomery, Alabama. Pickett gave a written deposition to Montgomery police, which was obtained by NBC News, in which he recounted the events that took place on that fateful day.
Pickett had asked the group of white boaters to move their pontoon boat several times over his intercom as the cruise vessel, Harriott II, approached. When he went to the pontoon boat in person, they flipped him off and refused to move. Pickett and his fellow dockhand had no choice but to untie the pontoon boat and move it aside themselves.
This seemingly simple request was what sparked the brawl. Pickett wrote in his deposition that two people had suddenly ran up behind him, and one of them, dressed in a red hat, began to threaten him. Pickett calmly responded that he was simply doing his job, but this only seemed to anger the man further.
The situation escalated quickly, as the pontoon boat's owner started to get in Pickett's face and yell. This was when the fight began in earnest, as two very drunk white men came over to Pickett and began to throw punches. As Pickett was being attacked from all sides, the assailants began to threaten him, saying things like, “I’m gonna kill you, motherf*****” and “Beat your ass, motherf*****”.
Pickett wrote that he clung to one of the attackers in an effort to survive the assault. Fortunately, two Black men eventually pulled the group of white men off him, and even Pickett's nephew had jumped off the Harriott II and chased after the assailants.
The dock worker had to be sent to the emergency room due to the severity of his injuries, however, thankfully, he suffered no broken bones. Through it all, Pickett bravely continued to do his job and help the passengers of the Harriott II disembark from the vessel. Pickett's bravery is an example of courage and strength in the face of adversity.
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