Scotch Plains 'White Nationalist' Attacks LGBT Peace Rally Organizer: Report

ASBURY PARK, NJ — A Scotch Plains man, wearing a "white power" T-shirt, attacked a trans-person during a Peace Rally held by the Garden State Equality in Asbury Park on Sunday, according to reports.

At 7:29 p.m., Asbury Park Police were called to 1100 Ocean Avenue on a report of a person being pepper sprayed, Asbury Park Police Sgt. Michael Casey reported.

"An individual wearing a white power T-shirt claiming to be a white nationalist came up to our poster-making party and started engaging and eventually someone was assaulted, a trans-person," said Jess, one of the organizers for the Peace Rally during a Facebook live video by Garden State Equality.

Police reported the altercation began over political views between two people, one of which was making signs for Labor Day's Peace Rally. The volunteer was then pepper sprayed by Morris May, 22, of Scotch Plains.

"It was an unprovoked attack, the person is OK and the white nationalist is in police custody now," Joe Grillo, a volunteer at the Rally said in the Facebook live video. "What we are hear to say is this is why we need to have this rally. People ask why do this in Asbury Park and that's because hate is everywhere right now and its happened right on our front door."

May was found, arrested and charged with aggravated assault and weapons possession, Casey said.

This case is still under investigation.

(Image via Garden State Equality)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.