Protester arrested after altercation with Ashcroft

by Quinn S Coffman

Missouri News Network

Police said Wednesday a protester was detained following a Tuesday physical altercation between the man and Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.

A protester was detained on the scene downtown, police stated in a news release. No charges have been filed by either Jefferson City Police or Ashcroft. Protesters say Ashcroft instigated the incident.

Photographs by a Missourian photographer show Ashcroft moving through a group of protesters who were blocking the entrance of Revel Catering, a place where a reception was being held for Israeli Consul General Maor Elbaz-Starinsky. As Ashcroft approaches the door, he gets in a physical altercation with a protester.

Protesters demonstrated in the Capitol earlier in the day as Elbaz-Starinsky spoke to a joint session of the Missouri General Assembly on the House floor.

According to an incident report released by police, Ashcroft was attempting to enter the building where the reception was taking place before the “disturbance.”

Staff for the Secretary of State said that Ashcroft was accosted by a man from the crowd and that a “scuffle” ensued.

Police officers who had been monitoring the demonstration broke up the two men and arrested the protester, placing him on the ground in handcuffs.

Ashcroft spokesperson JoDonn Chaney said Ashcroft told him that the crowd had been “docile” and that he had been surprised by the incident.

Police said their investigation of the incident is ongoing. The Missourian is not naming the protester because he has not been charged.