Actor Wendell Pierce of HBO’s “The Wire,” “Tremé,” and Confirmation is known for being vocal when it comes to social issues and politics. However, he may have taken things a bit too far while attempting to stand up for Hillary Clinton.
Allegedly, Pierce was in Atlanta when he struck up a conversation with a man and his girlfriend at the Loews Hotel. At some point, the casual conversation began to shift into politics. Pierce, who is a supporter of Clinton, objected to the couple who were supporters of Bernie Sanders. Pierce allegedly pushed the man, who stumbled after the contact, and grabbed his girlfriend by the hair and slapped her in the head.
The couple left the hotel lobby and went to their room where they called hotel security. The hotel’s security called the Atlanta Police Department who arrested Pierce on the scene.
Pierce’s alleged actions adds to what has become a violent political race to the White House. Most of the violent incidents have occurred during political events hosted by presidential hopeful Donald Trump. Trump has advised many of his supporters to retaliate against protesters and they have responded with physical attacks.
In March, a Trump supporter sucker-punched a man while he was being escorted out of an event in North Carolina. Several weeks later, Trump supporters clashed with protestors at an event held in Chicago. Violent attacks have also occurred at Trump rallies in Arizona and Wisconsin.
On the democratic side, there haven’t been many physical altercations reported, but Sanders and Clinton have taken heat for how they have responded to protests by Black Lives Matter.
Once Pierce was arrested at the scene, he was taken to jail and charged with battery. He eventually posted a $1,000 bond.
