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Triad Man Attacks Family Over Black Lives Matter Signs

Signs in the rear window of the car Nova Tempest was driving at the time of the alleged attack. Photo courtesy of Helen Parsonage.

A Lewisville man is accused of assaulting two people over Black Lives Matter signs displayed in the rear window of their car. All those involved in the incident are white.

According to the family's attorney and statements released by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, last Thursday, Nova Tempest, Olivia Pugh, and their brother were en route to a dental appointment when a driver, Rod Steven Sturdy, began tailgating them and later cutting them off as they drove. The family's lawyer says Sturdy's actions were in response to two signs in their rear window reading “Black Lives Matter," and “Prosecute the cops who murdered Breonna Taylor.” 

At the dental clinic parking lot, Sturdy got out of his car, pointed to the signs, used the N-word, and first punched Tempest's and Pugh's younger brother in the face, fracturing his eye socket. Pugh was later punched in the face when she tried to intervene. A statement released this week by Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough states that the right to freedom of expression exists and that the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office will charge anyone who assaults, harms, or attempts to violate those rights.

Sturdy is scheduled to appear in Forsyth District Court on January 22.

Before his arrival in the Triad, David had already established himself as a fixture in the Austin, Texas arts scene as a radio host for Classical 89.5 KMFA. During his tenure there, he produced and hosted hundreds of programs including Mind Your Music, The Basics and T.G.I.F. Thank Goodness, It's Familiar, which each won international awards in the Fine Arts Radio Competition. As a radio journalist with 88.5 WFDD, his features have been recognized by the Associated Press, Public Radio News Directors Inc., Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals, and Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas. David has written and produced national stories for NPR, KUSC and CPRN in Los Angeles and conducted interviews for Minnesota Public Radio's Weekend America.

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