“Fade” In The Water: Meet the Montgomery Riverfront Brawl Hereos

August 5th will forever commemorate “Fade in the Water,” the unofficial black holiday remembering the Montgomery Riverfront Brawl of 2023.

The brawl broke out after a crewman was violently attacked by a group of white boaters for requesting that they move their (illegally parked) boat. What began as relaxing day on the river, ended in an all-out altercation featuring fists, kicks, and folding-chairs! Videos of the melee quickly swept the nation several angles of the full fight surfaced.

Black people everywhere expressed immense pride in the heroic unity, precision, and outcome of the brawl.

While the scuffle is entertained many, the broader symbolism of the incident runs deep. This event occurred not only in the city known for being the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement, but on the very waterfront that was once used to sell enslaved Africans.

Montgomery Riverfront Brawl: Meet the Main Characters

Reggie Bernard Ray

Ray is responsible for the (arguably) most recognized and reacted-to moment of the entire brawl…the folding chair.

Dameion Pickett

The deckman who initially addressed the parked boaters, and “held his own” after being attacked by multiple the drunken group.

It was so shocking for me…for something I do on the regular…make people happy [and] put smiles on their face.” -Damien Pickett

Aaren Hamilton Rudolph

Rudolph was quickly nicknamed “black aqua-man,” “Michael B. Phelps,” and more. He went on to dedicate his time to a summer swimming program for inner-city children, and an aqua-inspired comic book addressing bullying.

Next time you’re in Montgomery, swing by the riverfront—now a tourist attraction and cultural landmark!

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“Fade” In The Water: Meet the Montgomery Riverfront Brawl Hereos was originally published on blackamericaweb.com