Arrests Made After Violent Incident at West Asheville Library

Police in Asheville, North Carolina, have arrested individuals and charged them with “ethnic intimidation” following a violent incident at the West Asheville Library. The attack occurred at an anti-Israel event labeled an “Anarchist Bookfair,” where two Jewish residents and a senior citizen were assaulted and forcibly removed from the library.

Victims David Moritz, Monica Buckley, and Bob Campbell, known for their pro-Israel stance, were targeted during the event. Moritz, the son of Holocaust survivors, received a threatening letter prior to the assault. Asheville police arrested Taylor Danielle Zarkin for her involvement and charged Tyler Byrne Hackett Kelly and Michael Solomon Brocenos with “ethnic intimidation.”

The event, organized by Another Carolina Anarchist Bookfair, featured anti-Israel sessions and led to the burning of two police cars. Videos from the event showed attendees celebrating attacks on Israel and making derogatory comments about American life.

The victims were falsely accused of livestreaming and labeled as “Zionists,” resulting in their violent removal from the library. Campbell, a cancer-stricken military veteran, sustained injuries, while Moritz had a visible welt on his forehead.

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer condemned the violence, emphasizing the need for community safety in public spaces.