White Alabama City Councilman Arrested After Punching Black Mayor
Tommy Bryant, a Tarrant City Council member, was arrested Monday (Nov. 7) after he reportedly punched Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton in the face.
According to AL.com, after a city council meeting on Nov. 7, Newton, the city’s first Black mayor, claimed Bryant attacked him. “He started attacking me and verbally assaulting me,’’ Newton said. “We exchanged words and then he came at me. He sucker-punched me.”
Newton said he didn’t remember the words exchanged before he was attacked but explained, “He’d (Bryant) been on one all night. He’d made veiled threats against me,’’ before the assault. Newton did not require medical attention.
A statement from the Tarrant Police Department stated several witnesses saw the assault, and officers at the scene arrested Bryant. The 78-year-old was charged with assault in the third degree. He was released after posting a $1,000 bond.
AL.com also reported in August 2021, Newton was arrested after Bryant signed a misdemeanor warrant against him for harassing communications. During that same time, Bryant alleged Newtown made several sexually inappropriate comments about his wife, including, “I’m going to f**k your wife.”
“Tommy Bryant is an unapologetic bigot who is a cancer to the City of Tarrant and my administration,’’ Newton said in August 2021. “I am confident that the baseless harassment claim he has filed against me will be thrown out.”
That same year, the Alabama Democratic Party demanded Bryant resign after using the n-word at a council meeting, which was recorded. Tommy Bryant did not resign.
Tommy Bryant's upcoming court date is unknown.
