One of the men shown on video shoving a black protestor out of a Donald Trump rally last week in Louisville has come forward to apologize, Indiana radio station WSCH reported.
Al Bamberger, who can be seen in the video wearing a Korean War Veteran Association shirt and shoving University of Louisville student Shiya Nwanguma, said in a letter he mailed to the president of the KWVA that he acted that way after being knocked down by protestors and losing his jacket. He described his position as being “caught between a group of white supremacists and Black Lives Matter protesters.”
Bamberger clarified that he was not a part of any white supremacist group and said he felt compelled to apologize.
“I am not associated with any type of racist organizations and did not push the young lady because she was black. I went to the rally to have a good time, support the veterans, and see Donald Trump,” Bamberger wrote. “Unlike the people that surrounded me at the event, whose main purpose was to cause chaos and create videos, I went there with no intention of participating in a confrontation and I deeply regret my involvement. I have embarrassed myself, my family, and Veterans. This was a very unfortunate incident and it is my sincere hope that I can be forgiven for my actions.”
Although the video was widely covered in the press, Bamberger said he hasn’t faced any harassment or backlash as a result.
Louisville Metropolitan Police were still investigating the incident, according to WSCH.
Yet strangely enough he didn’t push any of the white supremacists, just a young black girl. Go figure.
You know, I always find it funny how many have fought for our country’s ideals without actually understanding them.
I suppose they should be thanked nonetheless, but it’s still an interesting phenomenon.
He’s going to send apologies to her very soon
Sometimes emotions get the better of us. I would take this man’s apology at face value and be glad he’s reflected and seen the harm in how he acted. A lot of people of all stripes could not write that letter.
Is this an actual apology? It’s been so long since I’ve seen one I forgot what they look like. If he also reached out to the student and apologised directly to her it might be.