A Newport woman is saying she has been targeted online and in video by the group "Resist Marxism" after attending a rally in Providence over the summer where she says she was accused of an assault -- which she says she did not commit.
The allegation, which was posted by "Marx Watch" and shared by "Resist Marxism," said that Melody Lee O'Brien assaulted a woman at the August 4 rally -- and was used in promotional video for Resist Marxism's rally at the Rhode Island State House on October 6. Resist Marxism stated:
On August 4, 2018, a woman who is believed to be Melody Lee O’Brien was among the crowd of an angry mob that counter protested a rally made up of peaceful protestors where she was alleged to have beaten a disabled woman, causing injury after the crowd she was standing with attacked the peaceful rally.
"It's insane -- I think they think I'm Antifa," said O'Brien when reached by phone. "I had gone to the August 4 rally. I had a riot cop in front of me the majority of the time. There were words exchanged when we tried to shut them down. Somehow the tent came down and mayhem erupted."
"They say I assaulted a disabled woman," said O'Brien. "There were recordings that day, and cops. If were to have assaulted anyone, I would have been arrested. I was wearing a skirt and flip-flips. How I could have assaulted anyone is beyond me."
O'Brien said that the video did not deter her from attending the October 6 rally.
"I had Proud Boys in my face. One kept asking where my husband was," said O'Brien. "I think I'm being targeted for being this outspoken. They [Proud Boys] have declared themselves as male chauvinists. And I'm a strong outspoken brown woman."
The Proud Boys were "Established in the midst of the 2016 presidential election by VICE Media co-founder Gavin McInnes, the Proud Boys are self-described 'western chauvinists' who adamantly deny any connection to the racist 'alt-right,' insisting they are simply a fraternal group spreading an “anti-political correctness” and 'anti-white guilt' agenda," according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
When reached for comment on Facebook, Marx Watch provided the following comment.
"An anonymous source who was present on the day informed us of the alleged incident. We also received word, and have just found video of another incident that occurred on October 6th where the person who matches Melody's description brandished a taser. We want to inform people of incidents of intimidation, violence, slander, etc. that occur at these rallies. We also seek to aid law enforcement where possible.
I am unsure of any reports, however, Rhode Island State Troopers were present during both incidents and have yet to make any arrests, or even inquire about the incidents.
We do not have an official spokesperson for Marx Watch, as we are an anonymous group."
Contacting Police
O'Brien said that after receiving messages following the October 6 rally that she went to the police on Monday.
"I've gotten messages to my inbox calling me fat and ugly," said O'Brien. "I run a local organization where my cousin's wife and I go into the homeless shelters and serve food and do outreach. We have a Facebook page -- they inboxed my partner. Attack me on my page -- I don't care -- but now they're finding any public post to comment."
"So I went to the Newport Police around 4 pm on Monday. I said I allegedly assaulted a disabled woman -- wouldn't there have been a report? An officer took the pictures of the 'Wanted' poster, and they'd said they'd pass it along."
"This to me is a threat. The police said if they threaten me in any way -- come back immediately," said O'Brien. "What they're doing is defamation and slander. If I'm 'wanted," I want to know who I'm wanted by. I can look at this as I'm targeted to be hurt, or accused of something I didn't do to give me a bad name."
According to reports two people were arrested following the August rally. As RIPR reported, 'According to a spokeswoman for Ocean State Against Hate, the group which organized the counter-protest, the two people arrested were at the Statehouse in opposition to the right-wing rally."
Related Slideshow: GoLocal Statewide Poll - FULL RESULTS, Conducted by Harvard’s Della Volpe Oct. 2018
Sponsor: GoLocal Prov
Sample: N=502 Rhode Island General Election Voters
Interviewing Period: October 5 – October 9, 2018
Directed by: John Della Volpe, Harvard University, SocialSphere, Inc.
Slideshow: responses are not in the order of the questionnaire
This question is about the total income of YOUR HOUSEHOLD for the PAST 12 MONTHS. Please include your income PLUS the income of all members living in your household (including cohabiting partners and armed forces members living at home).
What particular ethnic group or nationality - such as English, French, Italian, Irish, Latino, Jewish, African American, and so forth - do you consider yourself a part of or feel closest to?
When it comes to voting, do you consider yourself to be affiliated with the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, Moderate, or Unaffiliated with a major party?
In November, there will be a statewide general election for Governor and many other state offices. How likely is it that you will vote in this election? Will you definitely be voting, will you probably be voting, are you 50-50...
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Will ensure that we have high-quality affordable health care.
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Will make government more accountable to the people.
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Is committed to improving education in public schools.
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Gina Raimondo, Republican Allan Fung and Independent Joe Trillo, for whom would you vote?
Attorney generals in several states have begun investigating sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy, opening investigations and issuing subpoenas for documents.
Do you favor or oppose the Rhode Island Attorney General opening an investigation into the Archdiocese of Providence on issues related to possible sexual abuse of children?
If the election for the U.S. Senate were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Robert Flanders, for whom would you vote?
Recently, it was announced that state officials approved a fast-track regulatory review of Massachusetts based Partners HealthCare’s proposed takeover of Care New England, Rhode Island’s second-largest hospital system, and operator Women & Infants, Butler and Kent Hospitals. [RANDOMIZED]
Do you believe the quality of care for Rhode Islanders will:
Recently, it was announced that state officials approved a fast-track regulatory review of Massachusetts based Partners HealthCare’s proposed takeover of Care New England, Rhode Island’s second-largest hospital system, and operator Women & Infants, Butler and Kent Hospitals. [RANDOMIZED]
Do you believe the number of jobs available to Rhode Islanders will:
Earlier this year, legislation was filed in the General Assembly that would require that all Rhode Island public schools have a school resource officer on the premises -- if a school has over 1,200 students -- two school resource officers would need to be present.
Do you support or oppose expanding Rhode Island’s free college tuition program at the
Community College of Rhode Island to the state’s two four-year colleges so that the last two
years of tuition at Rhode Island College and URI would be free for those recent high school
graduates, who are in a solid academic standing, and on track to graduate in four years? It is estimated that the cost of the program would be $35 million.
Do you support or oppose an Educational Bill of Rights for students and parents in Rhode Island that includes:
1) The right to be taught by effective teachers.
2) The right not to be taught by teachers who, after due process evaluation, fail to meet standards established by state and local education officials.
3) The right to appropriate academic materials and resources.
4) The right to safe, clean and environmental-friendly school facilities.
5) The right to emotionally supportive schools that do not tolerate harassment, discrimination or abuse.
6) The right to attend a school where funding is based on student need with the goal of providing
access to adequate educational opportunities.
7) The right to a pathway out of a failing school.
8) The right to a fair, accurate and transparent assessment system that measures student
performance and need.
9) The right of parents to current and reliable information about their child’s progress and performance.