We recently discussed how stories of violence on conservatives and Trump supporters often receive limited attention. The common narrative is that President Donald Trump is the source of violent speech and violent acts in society. The inverse does not fit that narrative. The latest such example is found in New Hampshire where Patrick Bradley, 34, is accused of assaulting a 15-year-old Trump supporter and two adults at a polling site. This follows another college attack on conservatives at the University of California at Santa Cruz.
The boy had just seen Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle before joining others at the polling booth. Bradley challenged the boy wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat at a polling location at Windham High School. He slapped the boy across the face and, when two adults tried to intervene, he assaulted them. He also tied to destroy the tent and Trump signs. He is charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct.
What is most disturbing about this story is that the mother later said that she “was apprehensive about him wearing the MAGA hat, because we know it can provoke and we know people don’t like Trump.” That is a sad statement about our politics when a young man who is politically aware and active should have to hide his support to avoid being attacked.
Another anti-conservative attack occurred in the University of California system which has long been criticized for the intolerance of pro-life and conservative activists. College Republicans were attacked on the Santa Cruz campus, which was captured on videotape.