Whoopi Goldberg returned to The View in spectacular fashion—donning a necklace of a folding chair—a novel tribute to last month’s Mongomery riverfront brawl.
The silver folding chair pendant was in honor of Reggie Ray, who seized a white folding chair, striking several people with it in a bid to defend himself from several white assailants.
Ray, 42, surrendered days after law enforcement requested he come forward and was held in the Montgomery Municipal Jail on a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge. He was released from jail the following morning. Darryl J. Albert, chief of the Montgomery Police Department, also announced that Richard Roberts, 48, is facing two third-degree assault charges. Zachery Shipman, 25; Allen Todd, 23; and Mary Todd, 21, had each charged with one count of third-degree assault.
Reggie Ray, man accused of hitting people with chair in the Alabama riverfront brawl arrested and charged.
— Complex (@Complex) August 12, 2023
Reggie, 42, surrendered to authorities on Friday and is being held in Montgomery’s Municipal Jail on a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge. pic.twitter.com/DMe8x0oYNT
The chair has quickly become a symbol of Black resistance, with a slew of merchandise being crafted in its honor, including earrings, t-shirts and even tattoos.
During her return episode, Goldberg used the morning show platform to air her frustrations.
“I have to lead this off by saying we do not condone violence on this show. But there was a story that happened last month in Montgomery, Alabama, where a riverboat captain [with] 227 passengers was trying to dock his boat in the spot he’s supposed to be in. The co-captain, who happened to be Black, went to confront this pontoon boat that was in the way. … So a fight ensued and something happened that we have not seen.”
Whoopi Goldberg returns to “The View” with folding chair necklace #foldingchairman #WhoopiGoldberg #Montgomerybrawl #TheView #ABC pic.twitter.com/QvepZsVuu8
— BrokenVolume (@BrokenVolume) September 12, 2023
She continued, “Black people came out of nowhere. We dropped out of the sky. It was crazy. The memes are off the hook. I am wearing a folding chair.”
Viewers reacted to the necklace on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Not Whoopi having a folding chair charm on her necklace. ???????? #TheView
— Ceej (@IamThatCeej) September 11, 2023
#Whoopi is wearing a folding chair .. #TheView pic.twitter.com/hG7lTmlDWm
— justdoodirty3 (@justdoodirty3) September 11, 2023
Alabama Brawl being discussed on #TheView and Whoopi Goldberg wearing a folding chair.
— Jason (Hawk PTOOH) (@EscaflowneClown) September 11, 2023
