Hate Group Hit with $2.75 Million Judgment for Battering Black Musician

A federal court in Massachusetts has ordered the white-nationalist group Patriot Front and its leader, Thomas Rousseau, to pay $2.75 million in damages to Charles Murrell, a Black saxophonist who was attacked by the group during an unpermitted march in Boston over the Fourth of July weekend in 2022. The attack left Murrell physically and emotionally disabled, with lasting injuries that impair his ability to perform music and deeply affect his personal life, according to Rolling Stone.

The court ruled the violent incident, involving racial slurs and physical assault, was orchestrated by Patriot Front, a group cloaking its white nationalism in American symbolism. About 100 members, carrying shields and banners with the slogan “Reclaim America,” surrounded Murrell, shoved him into a concrete post, and proceeded to punch and kick him. Boston police did not intervene or apprehend the assailants.

Murrell’s injuries included cuts, bruises, and a lacerated finger that impedes his saxophone playing. He also suffers from severe psychological distress, including insomnia and social isolation. The judgment, entered as a default ruling due to the group’s absence from court, includes $25,000 for physical injuries, $500,000 for emotional distress, $230,000 for lost earnings, and $2 million in punitive damages.

The court emphasized the need for punitive damages to deter similar acts, highlighting that Rousseau and Patriot Front glorified the attack in promotional materials. While default judgments can be difficult to enforce, the ruling adds financial strain to the extremist group, which already faces significant legal challenges.