Massachusetts man accused of assaulting 77-year-old “No Kings” protester in southeastern Massachusetts

A Massachusetts man has been charged after allegedly assaulting an elderly protestor.

According to Boston.com, Peter Afouxenides, a 61-year-old man from Arlington, was arrested over the weekend, following an assault on a 77-year-old protester at the “No Kings” demonstration in Hyannis, where participants gathered to oppose the Trump administration.

Barnstable Police responded to reports of the incident around 3:30 p.m. near the protest site on Main Street, where Afouxenides allegedly punched the elderly man in the face as he crossed the road, causing facial injuries and knocking him down.

Afouxenides was charged with assault and battery on a person over 60, a felony.

He pleaded not guilty at Monday’s arraignment and was released on personal recognizance.

According to Hyannis News, the victim’s friend “said that they were crossing the roadway (Barnstable Rd) and all he heard was a car speeding up towards them. Then the vehicle stopped and a man got out and punched his friend multiple times in the facial area which led to (the victim) to fall to the ground (and really smashed his head hard). He said it all happened so fast he couldn’t help his friend.”

The victim was treated at Cape Cod Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.