Congressman Assaulted in Racist Attack at Sundance Film Festival

Florida congressman Maxwell Frost was assaulted late Friday night in a racially motivated attack at a Sundance Film Festival party.

Park City Police arrested a man named Christian Young on charges of aggravated battery and two counts of simple assault, allegedly that Young “unlawfully entered a private party after previously being turned away for not having an invitation. Once inside the saloon, Young assaulted Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost and a female who was attending the private event,” a community outreach lieutenant told The Hollywood Reporter.

“Last night, I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face. He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. The individual was arrested and I am okay,” Frost wrote of the incident on social media. “Thank you to the venue security and Park City PD for assistance on this incident.”

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Young presumably crashed the party hosted by talent agency CAA through a side door — Young was not on the guest list — of the High West Saloon. Around midnight, Young allegedly went to the bathroom and allegedly told other patrons how proud he was to be “white.” He then exited the bathroom and encountered Frost, a Democratic representative who identifies as Afro-Latino.

According to the police report, Young called Frost a racial slur and told the congressman “we are going to deport you and your kind.” Young then punched Frost in the face before security quickly stepped in.

“I am okay. Thank you for all the well wishes. We are in scary times,” Frost added. “Please stay safe and do not let these people silence you. Onwards.”
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Film festival organizers added in a statement, “We strongly condemn last night’s assault and abhor any form of violence, harassment, and hate speech. While the incident occurred at a non-Festival-affiliated event, such behavior is intolerable and against our values of upholding a welcoming and inspiring environment for all our attendees. The safety and security of our festival goers remains our chief concern, and our thoughts are with Congressman Frost and his continued well-being.”

Axios reports that Young was later additionally charged with aggravated burglary, assaulting an elected official and simple assault, and that a judge ordered him held without bail as there is “convincing evidence” he is a flight risk and “would constitute a substantial danger” to the community.