Recently, a federal court ruled against a North Texas hate group, Patriot Front, and its leader, Thomas Rousseau, ordering them to pay almost $3 million to Charles Murrell III, a Black musician. Murrell was attacked during a march in Boston in July 2022. Murrell was walking near a public library where he was about to preform when he encountered about 100 members of Patriot Front. Murrell reported to police officers that members of Patriot Front pushed him against a light pole and beat him so bad that he suffered hand and head injuries leaving him unable to play the saxophone. Murrell also suffered psychological trauma.
Murrell was awarded $2.7 million dollars by Judge Indria Talwani of Massachusetts. $755,000 for his physical and psychological injuries and $2 million for attorney fees. In a clinician’s report, Judge Talwani said “Patriot Front’s attack of Murrell caused him psychological damage and distress damage that have devastated his ability to earn a living, dampened his passion for music, caused him to isolate himself from family and friends, and generally hindered his ability to function and make decisions day to day.”
Thomas Rousseasu is a native of Grapevine, Texas he founded Patriot Front in 2017. Patriot Front has been labeled a hate group by many organizations, including the Southern Poverty Law Center it is known for being racist, antisemitic (prejudiced against Jews), and anti LGBTQAI+. The hate group failed to respond to Murrell’s lawsuit that was filed in 2023, causing Judge Talwani to issue a default judgement on January 13th, 2025.
On the day of the crime, July 2nd, 2022, Rousseau and about 100 members of Patriot Front were in Boston for a demonstration. They decided to take over public spaces without any permission from the city of Boston. The group marched down the street and carried flags and signs that said, “Reclaim America.” After attacking Murrell, Patriot Front posted the video of the attack on its website. However, even with video footage no one was held responsible for the incident. Murrell told the court that he feared for his life during the attack. After recounting the experience with GBH News, Murrell said “I thought I was going to die.” Murrell played the saxophone for a living and his injuries as a result of the attack have made it difficult for him to do so.
This attack was not the first from Patriot Front that required law enforcement to get involved. Founder, Thomas Rousseasu was arrested in 2020 after placing stickers on county property in Weatherford, TX. Members of the Parker County Sheriff’s Department witnessed this act take place. One month before the attack on Murrell, Rousseau and other Patriot Front members were arrested in Idaho, for being suspicious and conspiring to riot at a gay pride event that was nearby.
Murrell told GBH News that now that everything is over, he feels relieved. “Relief is the biggest word that comes to mind… What it was about for us was creating a clear trail, a clear precedent. And that trail has been set.”
[Photo: splcenter.org]
