Great Barrington — Great Barrington police have released the name of the man who was arrested for shoving a Senate candidate outside Sunday’s town-hall meeting with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts.
Chief William Walsh said Paul D. Solovay, 74, of Hillsdale, New York, was arrested and charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct. Video of the incident was captured by a supporter of the candidate, freelance journalist Marcelo Guadiana.
See video of the incident in which Paul D. Solovay, 74, of Hillsdale, New York, is alleged to have assaulted U.S. Senate candidate Shiva Ayyadurai:
Walsh said at approximately 12:51 p.m. Sunday, July 22, Great Barrington police were providing assistance with security prior to an event hosted by Warren at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. While waiting in line to enter the event, Solovay exited the line and approached U.S. Senate candidate Shiva Ayyadurai, who was addressing the crowd from across Castle Street using a bullhorn-style microphone.
“Solovay allegedly engaged in a verbal confrontation that became physical when he pushed the bullhorn toward the speaker, striking his mouth,” Walsh said in a written statement. “Officers acted quickly to subdue Solovay and place him into custody.”
Solovay can be seen approaching the Ayyadurai group as he walked down Castle Street clutching a retracted umbrella. He appeared agitated.
Solovay was subsequently transported to the Great Barrington police station for booking. Walsh said he was later released on personal recognizance and was scheduled to be arraigned today in Southern Berkshire District Court.
Witnesses say the man appeared to have been provoked by Ayyadurai and his supporters who shouted anti-Warren slogans and called her a racist. The supporters were also carrying signs that said “No to Warren” labeled her a fake Indian—a reference to her disputed claim of Native American heritage. At a later gathering of people assembled to hear Warren speak at the gazebo, Ayyadurai’s group also spoke over Warren and attempted to disrupt her speech.
Solovay is a well-known artist and photographer in the Hudson Valley. Click here to read his biography.
