August 5th will forever commemorate “Fade in the Water,”  the unofficial black holiday remembering the Montgomery Riverfront Brawl of 2023.

The brawl broke out after a crewman was violently attacked by a group of white boaters for requesting that they move their (illegally parked) boat. What began as relaxing day on the river, ended in an all-out altercation featuring fists, kicks, and folding-chairs! Videos of the melee quickly swept the nation several angles of the full fight surfaced.

Black people everywhere expressed immense pride in the heroic unity, precision, and outcome of the brawl.

While the scuffle is entertained many, the broader symbolism of the incident runs deep. This event occurred not only in the city known for being the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement, but on the very waterfront that was once used to sell enslaved Africans.

Montgomery Riverfront Brawl: Meet the Main Characters

Reggie Bernard Ray

Reggie Ray, who wielded folding chair as a weapon at the Alabama riverfront brawl swerves jail term and is sentenced to 50 hours community service instead after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct

Reggie Bernard Ray was given a 90-day suspended sentence, will be forced to… pic.twitter.com/0XPu3sH6ZE

— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) December 12, 2023

Ray is responsible for the (arguably) most recognized and reacted-to moment of the entire brawl…the folding chair.

Dameion Pickett

The deckman who initially addressed the parked boaters, and “held his own” after being attacked by multiple the drunken group.

It was so shocking for me…for something I do on the regular…make people happy [and] put smiles on their face.” -Damien Pickett

Aaren Hamilton Rudolph 

Rudolph was quickly nicknamed “black aqua-man,” “Michael B. Phelps,” and more. He went on to dedicate his time to a summer swimming program for inner-city children, and an aqua-inspired comic book addressing bullying.

Next time you’re in Montgomery, swing by the riverfront—now a tourist attraction and cultural landmark!

Related: 3 White Men Arrested And Charged For Riverfront Brawl In Montgomery, Alabama

Related: Montgomery Riverboat Brawl: A Cathartic Comedy Of Justice For Black America

Related: #BlackTwitter Dubs Heroic Black Teen Michael B Phelps After Alabama Riverfront Brawl

Related: Little Known Black History Fact: Black Swimming Firsts

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