Antifa organizers behind a bookfair at the West Asheville Public Library in North Carolina that turned violent have released a statement defending reported assaults that took place against Jewish attendees, including an elderly man with cancer.

The altercation occurred on June 29 at the Another Carolina Anarchist Bookfair (ACAB) when Monica Buckley began livestreaming the event. She attended the event with two others, David Moritz, 54, and Bob Campbell, 79, who were victims of the alleged assaults when they occurred.

Antifa organizers of the bookfair released a statement on July 3, describing the incident as a “planned disruption by individuals with extreme, genocidal beliefs who have publicly called for the suppression of solidarity with Palestinians.” The organizers claimed that both Buckley and Moritz’s presence at the event was an attempt to “sell a false narrative that the Another Carolina Anarchist Bookfair is an antisemitic event.”

“Last Saturday, the fight that these two white supremacists instigated resulted in the injury of multiple antifascists and one arrest. Afterward, Monica—who bragged about starting the brawl by tackling a bookfair attendee—stayed in the neighborhood, harassing and threatening community members from a car. This escalatory behavior is no surprise,” the statement read.

“We stand in solidarity with everyone who was harmed or traumatized by Monica and David. We share our love and concern for those who are now facing harassment as a result of their lies. We extend support to bookfair participants who are, or may in the future, face charges,” the organizers continued.

The event, attended by 80 to 100 people, descended into violence when Buckley's phone was grabbed by a woman, leading to a scuffle. Buckley and Moritz were allegedly assaulted afterwards. Police responded to the scene following a 911 call from a librarian and reports from people watching the livestream, according to Citizen-Times.

One attendee, Taylor Danielle Zarkin, was charged with two counts of resisting a public officer after the incident. Asheville police are attempting to use surveillance footage of the library to identify “persons of interest” in the assault.

Asheville Mayor, Esther Manheimer, commented on the incident, saying, “The members of the Asheville community deserve the right to enter any community spaces with a feeling of security. We will not tolerate violence, either against or carried out in our community.”

“Asheville is a city that has thrived and honored the diversity of all its residents. We will continue to do so and not be cowed by individuals resorting to violence,” Manheimer added.