Asheville Police Investigate Reported Attack in Which Three Victims Report Minor Injuries

ASHEVILLE, NC (WLOS) — Asheville Police continue to investigate an attack that occurred at the Another Carolina Anarchist Bookfair (ACAB) on Saturday, June 29.

Taylor Danielle Zarkin, 35, was arrested and charged with two counts of resisting, delaying and obstructing justice.

Police said the attack occurred during an ACAB seminar at the West Asheville Library.

Officers were responding to an altercation that took place around 3 p.m. at the library, where about 80 to 100 people were attending a seminar titled “Strategic Lessons from the Palestinian Resistance.”

When officers arrived, they saw the crowd dispersing. They identified three victims: David Moritz, Monica Buckley and Bob Campbell.

3 say they were attacked and beaten at the “Palestinian resistance” event in Asheville

Moritz and Buckley, who are Jewish, said they wanted to attend the event to learn more about what is being taught in their community.

Buckley previously told News 13 she livestreamed the presentation out of fear for her safety. She said the violence started when someone stole her phone and she tried to get it back.

Police said all three victims were treated for minor injuries.

News 13 spoke to Moritz again, who reiterated that her intention was to go to the presentation to sit and listen.

“Nobody wants civilians to die. I don’t want anyone to die, but I am not responsible for what happens in Israel. I have no control over what happens there,” he said. “I’m just worried about our community, about the anti-Semitism here.”

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Moritz believes that this will not end with the Jewish community.

“We have to put an end to this now and today and I am very encouraged that the police are taking this matter very seriously,” he said.

He said that regardless of any religious beliefs, there is never a justification for violence.

“You are allowed to express your opinion,” he said. “You are allowed to have your beliefs, but so am I.”

Moritz said he recognized the arrested man, Zarkin, as one of the people involved in the robbery.

POLICE: 1 person arrested after reported attack at Palestinian Resistance event

We have the opportunity to put an end to this violence and anti-Semitism,” he said. “We cannot enable it, we cannot encourage it, we cannot let it continue to happen.”

News 13 has reached out to Firestorm Books, host of ACAB, for comment on the attack. They have not yet responded. News 13 will speak with Asheville Police on Tuesday, July 2, to get the latest details on the investigation.