Democratic Louisville mayor punched in face, knocked to ground at Juneteenth event — and mockery follows: 'Just peacefully protesting, nothing to see here'



Surveillance video caught the moment Greg Fischer — the Democratic mayor of Louisville, Kentucky — was punched in the face and knocked to the ground at a Juneteenth event Saturday in the city's downtown area. Police are still looking for the suspect.

Here's the clip:

\u201cPolice in Louisville, Kentucky, are searching for a suspect they believe punched the city\u2019s mayor at a popular downtown event complex\n\n\u201cEarlier this evening, while at Fourth Street Live, Mayor (Greg) Fischer was punched by an individual,\u201d the Louisville (1/2)\n\n#GregFischer\u201d
— Dre Lockhart \uf8ff (@Dre Lockhart \uf8ff) 1655700343

What are the details?

According to WLKY-TV — which characterized the Fourth Street Live! event where Fischer was punched as a "Juneteenth celebration" — police said the blow caught the mayor in the face while he was talking to someone in the crowd.

Video shows the punch knocking Fischer to the ground.

WAVE-TV said an individual who appeared to be part of Fischer's security team briefly followed the suspect after the punch and then appeared to return to Fischer.

Emergency medical services evaluated the mayor and determined he didn't need medical treatment, WLKY reported.

The mayor's office didn't address how the suspect got past security and escaped, WLKY added.

"While it's not appropriate to comment on specifics of that [security] detail, it is always being evaluated and adjusted as needed," Jessica Wethington, the mayor's director of communications, told WLKY. "There have been no changes made to the mayor's events."

Police are still looking for the suspect, WKLY said, adding that Louisville Metro Police Department released photos of the suspect:

\u201cEarlier this evening, while at Fourth Street Live, Mayor Fischer was punched by an individual. The Mayor is doing fine. LMPD is investigating & will release further information as it becomes available. Anyone with information can call our anonymous tip line at 502-574-5673.\u201d
— LMPD (@LMPD) 1655600350

Greg Gitschier — a former Secret Service agent and former bodyguard of the mayor — told WHAS-TV that "it's becoming an upside-down world because lines that were never crossed so much in the past now seem to no longer matter."

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer addresses punch, no arrests made still youtu.be

'Just peacefully protesting, nothing to see here'

Many commenters unleashed mockery on Louisville police's Facebook post about the punch, with most of the derision directed toward Fischer, implying that the mayor's policies led to the physical attack on him.

"Karma. What you allow will continue. You have allowed crime to run unabashed. It will continue," one commenter wrote.

"Just peacefully protesting, nothing to see here," another commenter quipped.

Others told city police that Fischer wants them to "stand down" and not go after the suspect — presumably a reference to the claim from at least 100 officers that Fischer wanted them to "stand down" amid violent 2020 protests. The officers also wanted Fischer to resign, but the mayor denied he gave a "stand down" directive.

In addition, hundreds of officers were caught on video walking out on Fischer when he arrived to address them at an early June 2020 roll call. The officers reportedly didn't feel supported by the mayor amid violence and looting. In September 2020 the city council declared it had "no confidence" in Fischer.

Other commenters lauded the suspect who punched Fischer, saying the suspect deserves a "medal" for the blow that knocked the mayor off his feet.

"Honestly, it couldn’t have happened to a finer man," one commenter said of Fischer, while another said "maybe he should have taken care of crime in Louisville."

'He is risking his life': Russian tennis star shows what true courage looks like



Russian tennis player Andrey Rublev wrote a truly courageous message on a TV camera moments after advancing to the final at the Dubai Championships on Friday.

A video of Rublev writing “No War Please” on a TV camera just after beating Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in their semifinal match has taken Twitter by storm.


Russian tennis player Andrey Rublev writes "No war please" on the camera following his advancement to the final in Dubai.pic.twitter.com/GQe8d01rTd
— TSN (@TSN) 1645803562

"Given the threats a Russian athlete can face from its government, this is what speaking truth to power actually looks like. And this takes true courage," tweeted Outkick's Clay Travis.

Given the threats a Russian athlete can face from its government, this is what speaking truth to power actually looks like. And this takes true courage.https://twitter.com/tsn_sports/status/1497234776905842688\u00a0\u2026
— Clay Travis (@Clay Travis) 1645806651
Wow! That really truly was courageous. To do it in such a public forum is outstanding.
— LuvsDawgs (@LuvsDawgs) 1645807958

And the praise just kept coming. Here are just a few samples:

That is as brave as it comes, he is risking his life.
— Juan Martinez (@Juan Martinez) 1645806653



He's taking such a risk. I don't think people living in Western democracies appreciate his bravery and the bravery of the Russian people protesting against Putin. Unless you come from those places and can understand.
— House Velaryon is the moment. (@House Velaryon is the moment.) 1645804623


this is very brave. I don't think people realize how far these folks are sticking their neck out. thanks again for this great message
— Just under the thin line (@Just under the thin line) 1645808189
This speaks volumes beyond his win.
— Sabrina Carnevale (@Sabrina Carnevale) 1645804612
This man is taking a huge risk doing this, but incredibly brave for doing so. I just hope he finds his way to safety somehow, because we all know Putin and his allies are going to be after him.
— Anthony Matthews-Osmachenko he/him\ud83d\ude37\ud83d\udc89x3\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Anthony Matthews-Osmachenko he/him\ud83d\ude37\ud83d\udc89x3\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1645811349

A few folks on Twitter couldn't help noting the contrast between Rublev's action and those of a certain American athlete who claims to care about human rights.

I wonder if @KingJames will tell China the same.
— Dre Bla (@Dre Bla) 1645809316
Take note @KingJames
— Jeff Buckalew (@Jeff Buckalew) 1645808194


Lebron would never
— pat (@pat) 1645808385

"In these moments you realize that my match is not important. It's not about my match, how it affects me. What's happening is much more terrible," Rublev said on Thursday.

"You realize how important it is to have peace in the world and to respect each other no matter what, to be united. We should take care of our earth and of each other. This is the most important thing."