UPDATE: Video that has emerged of yesterday's alleged assault in New Bedford on Republican candidate Rayla Campbell at a pro-Trump rally suggests that Campbell may have played a role in instigating the incident. This opinion piece was written prior to WBSM obtaining that video.

Rayla Campbell, a Black female who ran for Congress as a Republican in Massachusetts' 7th District, says she was assaulted at a Trump rally in New Bedford on Columbus Day.

While most of the grassroots rallies in support of President Donald J. Trump have been peaceful and joyous events, there have been occasions of violence, too.

The multiple alleged attacks on an elderly man in Fall River, Charlie Chase, made headlines in the local and national media. The Air Force veteran had allegedly been attacked twice, he says for simply standing on the side of a high-traffic road with a sign supporting our elected president. The police quickly arrested the two separate suspects. The cases are now in the hands of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn and this columnist is confident DA Quinn will protect the rights of the alleged victim.

Donald Trump, Jr. called Chase to express his father's concern and appreciation.

A woman in Fairhaven says she was struck with a bottle thrown from an automobile while she was at a rally for President Trump a few weeks ago. Her injuries were minor but one has to assume the attack was meant to intimidate all of the people at the rally. Violence done with a political motive is terrorism regardless of the futility of the terrorists.

Now Campbell says she was stomped by two women in a New Bedford parking lot immediately after she had attended a sign-holding event for President Trump in the city on Columbus Day. She posted on her official campaign Facebook page that she was kicked in the head and suffered a fractured shinbone from the assault.

I'm ok everyone. I appreciate all of your concern. I was involved in an incident leaving the New Bedford rally today...

Posted by Rayla Campbell for Congress on Monday, October 12, 2020

WBSM News has reached out to the New Bedford Police Department to find out if Campbell reported the incident to police and if there are any suspects. Hopefully, the alleged attackers of Rayla Campbell will be identified and charged.

Attacks on Americans for their political views must be treated as the serious crimes they are. Some of them may seem like minor assaults on the people, but they are major assaults on our political system.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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