Unnamed Suspect Charged After Alleged Assault At ICE Protest In Downtown Nantucket

After a 69-year-old woman was allegedly pushed to the ground during a protest against ICE in downtown Nantucket, island police have charged a man with assault and battery and disorderly conduct.

The incident occurred last Saturday evening during the "Justice For All" protest organized by the left-leaning political action group Indivisible Nantucket, which began with a candlelight vigil at Children's Beach and was followed by a march through the downtown area.

Laura Anderson, 69, was among the protestors marching on South Beach Street when a man in a blue blazer allegedly charged through the protest.

"Without any warning, he suddenly and forcefully pushed me from the rear," said Anderson, who was evaluated at Nantucket Cottage Hospital the following day. "I had no chance to catch myself and fell hard onto a pile of bricks on the sidewalk. I had never spoken to him before, and I did nothing to provoke or threaten him. I couldn't get up on my own, and was frightened that more violence might follow."

On Monday, Nantucket Police Lt. Angus MacVicar said the suspect had been issued a summons to appear in court to face charges of assault and battery on a person over 60 years old and disorderly conduct.

"After an investigation was concluded into what occurred, the identified male has been summoned to court for assault and battery on a person over 60 years old and disorderly conduct. The involved 62-year-old male will be identified upon being arraigned on the charges in district court."

As of Monday afternoon, the man's arraignment has not yet been scheduled, and his identity remains unknown.

MacVicar further explained that the incident was witnessed by an officer who had previously been assigned to the protest.

"The Nantucket Police Department was made aware by the event organizers of a planned ‘Candlelight Vigil’ being held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.," MacVicar wrote. "In response, we put together a detailed event plan to manage the potential impacts of the planned vigil. In addition to the event plan, we staffed the event with a supervisor, two additional officers and nine community service officers. At approximately 8:27 p.m., the supervisor assigned to the event witnessed a disturbance as the group approached Whalers Lane on South Beach Street. The supervisor witnessed one of the vigil’s participants fall to the ground and observed a male arguing with other participants. The supervisor took immediate action by separating and identifying all individuals involved."

Saturday's protest was the latest demonstration organized by Indivisible Nantucket, which has been the driving force behind numerous rallies against President Donald Trump's administration since he took office in 2024.

The "Justice For All" vigil and march on Saturday was organized to express "concern about ICE. It was part of a nationwide day of action supporting due process rights for everyone," Forsgren said.