YORK, Pa. — A suspect is in custody for assaulting a Democratic supporter at a rally in York yesterday, according to the York City Police Department (YCPD).
The York Dems were holding a rally in Continental Square in downtown York on Sept. 27 to show support for presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and the other Democratic candidates on the ticket when one of their members was "violently assaulted" just before 2 p.m., according to a statement from the chair of the Democratic Party of York County.
The 74-year-old victim was "just standing" at a corner of the square when Robert Trotta, 59, crossed the street, grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground, according to an affidavit of probable cause. The victim suffered a 2-inch-long cut to the top of his head with serious bleeding and a lump and bleeding scratch on his left elbow, according to the criminal complaint.
Police say multiple witnesses saw the assault, and it was captured on camera.
The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released, the YCPD said. It arrested Trotta for the attack and charged him with simple assault.
While the assault at first appeared to be politically motivated, law enforcement says that may not be the case. Officers consulted with the York County District Attorney's Office and found that Trotta had been arrested and charged in two prior instances with similar circumstances that did not involve participants in a political rally.
The statement from the chair of the York Dems reads in part:
There is absolutely no place for this violence in our democracy or in our society. We are a nation born to have civil discourse that at the end of the day should end in a handshake not in violence. While easy to point fingers and blame, the reality is this must end now! When we can't even have one of the basic rights to assemble and of free speech without being physically attacked, it is not just one individual being harmed but the entirety of our democracy.
Our prayers are with the injured supporter and their family for a swift recovery.
Eugene DePasquale (D), who is running for Attorney General, reacted to the incident with the following statement:
"I’m crushed by yet another example of political violence. Alan is as good a person as there is and I’m glad he will be okay. It’s important we all condemn this outrageous behavior and look out for one another regardless of who we are voting for."
