Now that video of an Ohio State University student tackling a speaker from the International Socialist Organization at an anti-Trump protest has racked up thousands of retweets, students who say they know the alleged assailant are coming to his defense.
Indications are the man who pushed an anti-Trump protester at OSU Monday night is not a Trump supporter nor bully. Looking for details.
— Mary Mogan Edwards (@MaryMoganEdward) November 15, 2016
Campus police haven’t posted any updates to the story, but the Columbus Dispatch reported Tuesday that the suspect’s father confirmed his son has Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism. And, despite what many have inferred from the video, Shane Stanton is not a Donald Trump supporter by any stretch, according to social media posts by those who claim to know him.
He is not a Trump supporter. Stop spreading lies. He has aspergers. I know him. Please share the truth. https://t.co/e7iUbbIdp3
— ????? ????? (@lucabreu96) November 15, 2016
This is really breaking my heart. I know this guy and it's tough because mental illnesses make people do things they shouldn't do.
— ????? ????? (@lucabreu96) November 15, 2016
Something that we may see as sarcasm for example, goes over his head. He takes things literally and struggles with understanding social cues
— ????? ????? (@lucabreu96) November 15, 2016
He is a liberal Hillary supporter and hates Trump. He probably thought he was at a Trump Rally.
— ????? ????? (@lucabreu96) November 15, 2016
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We need to bring awareness to Mental Health and the social injustices that come with it.
— ????? ????? (@lucabreu96) November 15, 2016
I know what he did was wrong, I am by no means endorsing it, but instead of being harsh, let us help him.
— ????? ????? (@lucabreu96) November 15, 2016
We say we care about mental health until "our side" is affected by it.
— ????? ????? (@lucabreu96) November 15, 2016
A lengthy Facebook post by Drew Riedel touched on several of the same topics, echoing that the student “is actually a Hillary supporter” as well as “an incredibly passionate person whose emotions can get the better of him.”
The Columbus Dispatch reported that Stanton had been charged with misdemeanor assault and released from jail after posting a $2,500 bond.
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