Baraboo, Wisconsin – A man in Baraboo, Wisconsin is facing a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge after a video surfaced of him shoving the Baraboo High School superintendent during a graduation ceremony on May 31. The incident involving the man, identified as Matthew Eddy, and Superintendent Rainey Briggs has sparked controversy and speculation about the man’s motives. It is alleged that Eddy pushed Briggs right before he was about to shake hands with Eddy’s daughter, leading to accusations of racism as Briggs is Black and Eddy is white.
The video of the incident has caused outrage online, with some people calling the behavior racist. Representative Francesca Hong from Madison took to social media to condemn the incident, stating that no one should have to endure such behavior. In the video, Eddy can be heard off-camera claiming, “You’re not … that’s my daughter,” while Briggs is heard telling Eddy to move away from him.
As a result of the confrontation, Eddy has been charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct in Sauk County. According to the criminal complaint, Eddy informed Briggs that he had no intention of touching his child. Briggs expressed to investigators that he feared for his safety during the incident and believed that someone might come after him even after the graduation. Eddy, on the other hand, explained to investigators that he pushed the superintendent away from his daughter because he believed Briggs had been unfair to her previously.
Despite the accusations of racism, the school district has stated that they are taking the incident seriously and are cooperating with local law enforcement for a thorough investigation. Briggs has filed a temporary restraining order against Eddy in Dane County court, but both parties, along with several Baraboo school board members, have chosen not to comment on the incident when requested by the media.
The altercation at the graduation ceremony has sparked a heated debate regarding race relations and appropriate conduct in public settings, highlighting the tensions and controversies that can arise from such interactions. The outcome of the ongoing investigation will likely shed more light on the motives behind the incident and the implications it may have on the community at large.