A heated town hall meeting in Dolton, Illinois, escalated into a physical altercation involving Mayor Tiffany Henyard, her boyfriend, and an activist, resulting in multiple lawsuits. The incident, which occurred in January, has sparked accusations of retaliation against free speech and excessive force.

Activist Jedidiah Brown, a known critic of Henyard, made strong remarks towards the mayor, culminating in a derogatory comment. This triggered a reaction from Henyard's boyfriend, Kamal Woods, leading to a physical confrontation between the two men. Video footage captures the exchange of blows, with Henyard also entering the melee. While it remains unclear whether she intended to intervene or participate, both Brown and another individual, Lavell Redmond, allege that Henyard struck them with her microphone.

Redmond claims he attempted to de-escalate the situation before being drawn into the fight in self-defense. Both Redmond and Brown have filed lawsuits against Henyard, Woods, and others, alleging their free speech rights were violated. The lawsuits also accuse the South Holland Police Department and Thornton Township security of failing to intervene promptly.

This incident is the latest in a string of controversies surrounding Mayor Henyard. A prior report by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot revealed a significant increase in the city's credit card spending under Henyard's leadership, with little oversight and questionable expenditures, including trips to Las Vegas with no apparent business outcomes. Henyard has also faced legal challenges related to liquor licenses, with accusations of withholding approvals despite repeated promises.

Original reporting contributions by Danielle Wallace and Anders Hagstrom.