Jeffrey Smith, a self-described fervent supporter of democracy, said he felt recharged after rallying against the direction of the country under President Trump at the “No Kings” protest in Hyannis on Saturday. Upon leaving the Airport Rotary when the event ended, the 77-year-old from Yarmouth Port and his friend were halfway across Barnstable Road when he saw a blue Toyota SUV racing toward them.
With little time to react, Smith braced himself with his cardboard sign and yelled, “Slow down!” When the driver slammed on the brakes, just the sign separated him and the car, he recalled. The driver jumped out, screaming Smith had hit his vehicle, Smith said. In a flash, he was seeing stars.
“It happened so fast,” said Smith, a semi-retired psychotherapist. “It was so uplifting and peaceful until I thought I might get killed.”
Douglas Stevens recalled watching in horror as the driver flew toward Smith and pounced on his friend, “releasing a flurry of punches, very fast and very hard with all his might, like he was raging.” Smith was toppled to the ground, falling backward and banging the back of his head on the hard surface, Stevens said.
“The guy punched him so hard, so many times in the head and face that he broke his glasses into a couple pieces,” said Stevens, 75, a music producer from Yarmouth Port. “He was totally out of it. He was in shock.”
The commotion caught the attention of Barnstable police, who were on scene to monitor the political demonstration at the busy rotary. An officer who responded around 1:55 p.m. said he saw the driver throw the protest sign and found Smith lying on the ground “dazed and confused,” groaning, and unable to speak, according to a police report.
Within moments, people rushed to Smith to help provide aid. Stevens and other witnesses told police the driver of the Toyota SUV “had just assaulted” Smith, according to the report.
“I felt kind of helpless because I’m old, too,” Stevens said. “It was an awful scene. It was very scary.”
Smith was taken by ambulance to Cape Cod Hospital. Police arrested Peter Afouxenides, 61, of Arlington, and charged him with assault and battery on a person over the age of 60.
Afouxenides told police the altercation began because Smith hit his car with the sign, according to the report, but an officer said he doubted the “poorly constructed cardboard sign could or would have caused any damage.”
Afouxenides had likely grown frustrated after being held up in traffic for an extended period because of the protest at the rotary, according to the police report.
“It was loud, there were people screaming and yelling, waving all their signs at the passing vehicles, people walking in and out of traffic, people were blaring their horns and unfortunately Mr. Afouxenides got carried away,” the report read. “How ever Mr. Smith’s sign made contact with his motor vehicle is really irrelevant.”
“This confrontation could have been a lot worse, but it was completely unnecessary,” the report read.
On Monday, Afouxenides pleaded not guilty to the felony charge at his arraignment at Barnstable District Court, according to court records. He was released on personal recognizance. His next court date is set for December.
He declined to comment on Monday, as did his attorney, Christopher Murray.
Smith now has a large bump and laceration on the back of his head, which is covered in bruises, and a black eye. Still, he said he feels fortunate that he did not suffer a brain bleed nor any broken bones in the attack. For now, he is taking precautions to prevent his concussion symptoms from worsening, and he will be checking in with his primary care doctor.
Over the decades, Smith said he has attended countless protests — including those held at the peak of the Vietnam War — but Saturday marked the first time he was assaulted at one.
Up until then, he said, the energy in the crowd was joyful and “overwhelmingly positive.” Occasionally, people drove by in trucks waving Trump flags and cussing at the protesters, “but they were the minority,” he added.
In recent days, Smith has received an outpouring of support from the community. He said he is grateful for the many well-wishes, as well as the first responders and witnesses who helped him.
Although he is still on the mend, Smith said he is looking forward to continuing to protest.
“I’ve learned a long time ago: Face fear and do it with the right attitude,” he said.
Shannon Larson can be reached at shannon.larson@globe.com. Follow her @shannonlarson98.