Never Forget: Social Media Reflects on the Montgomery Riverboat Brawl on its One-Year Anniversary

Can y’all believe it’s been a year since our brothers and sisters down in Montgomery, Alabama, made the ancestors proud? Last year, on August 5th, a group of white boat riders sparked a memorable moment known as the “Montgomery Riverboat Brawl.” It all started when the group emerged to attack a black co-captain on the Montgomery riverfront. According to testimonies, the white boaters had parked their boats in a location reserved for the Harriott II riverboat. The Harriott had been waiting idly in the middle of the water for roughly 45 minutes to dock because the boaters wouldn’t move their boats. The captain attempted to inform the boaters that they were in the wrong spot but was ignored.

August 5, 2023 Montgomery Riverboat Brawl…. pic.twitter.com/fozJjkCa6o

— IamLegend 🇺🇸 (@DarkSideAdvcate) August 5, 2024

As a result, co-captain Dameion Pickett went to the shore to speak with the boaters. Moments later, one of the boaters shoved Pickett, which prompted him to push the boater back. Soon after, four more individuals joined in to attack Pickett. It was at that point when video footage of Pickett’s 16-year-old coworker Daniel Warren swimming to the shore to come to his defense. Moments later, a full on brawl commenced as other black bystanders rallied together to assist with the smackdown.

The fight quickly became a viral memory, especially since a black man was seen hitting one of the white boaters with a plastic foldable chair. The chair earned its place as a symbol to mark the incident and is now an internet favorite. But, outside of the jokes the brawl brought on, the incident also had some historical significance for African Americans.

Nevertheless, on the anniversary of the brawl, check out how social media users are reacting the infamous moment:

Happy first annual #MontgomeryRiverboatBrawl to BlkPpl & all who celebrate w us 🙌🏽🖤

Remember, when you see the hat toss pic.twitter.com/iIq0N8dNmu

— 💛 VPOTUS + BOTUS = POTUS 🐝 (@cbr_OLU) August 5, 2024

Are there any commemorative ceremonies for the anniversary of the Montgomery Riverboat Brawl this weekend?

— Divasocials (@divasocials) August 3, 2024

I will like to wish HAPPY 1 Year ANNIVERSARY to the Mohammed Malcolm Ali we appreciate your service on August 5, 2023. #MontgomeryRiverBoatBrawl#MontgomeryBrawl #StandingOnBusiness#FadeInTheWater #BlackAmerica#August5 pic.twitter.com/eFJHLD2GUS

— T̷h̷e̷ ̷M̷i̷s̷t̷r̷e̷s̷s̷ ̷O̷f̷ ̷C̷h̷a̷o̷s̷ (@Esther_Knowles_) August 5, 2024

Happy Montgomery Riverboat Brawl Day…
today, knuck if they buck at ya!

— B A M 🦍 (@bigg_bambi) August 5, 2024

Happy 1 year Anniversary to the Montgomery Riverboat Brawl!!! #NeverForget #MontgomeryBrawl

— Randall Young (@RandiniHoudini) August 5, 2024

Happy one year anniversary of the Montgomery riverboat brawl pic.twitter.com/zDiH5fMtu0

— 2RawTooReal (@2RawTooReal) August 5, 2024

It is August 5th, 2024. The 1 year anniversary of the Montgomery, Alabama Riverboat Brawl. One this day we remember when a group of over-privileged, drunken 8×11's FAFO. Never forget what we can do as a people when we stand together. And are fans of pro wrestling.

— Garnet the Afro Tiefling 🔜Writers' Rooms (@AshtynBrianne) August 5, 2024

August 5th Marks The One Year Anniversary Of The Montgomery Riverboat Brawl!#FadeInTheWater pic.twitter.com/7zrxKjXPK7

— 9MagTV (@BlackInkChi) August 5, 2024

Happy Riverboat Brawl Day! It’s the 1yr Anniversary of the Montgomery River Boat Beat Down When Karen Bob and em got HANDLED!!!🪑⛴️🪑⛴️🪑⛴️🪑⛴️🪑⛴️🪑⛴️🪑⛴️🪑⛴️ Best Day Ever!

— HAPPY💙 (@SJohansonnn) August 5, 2024