FOX 2 (WJBK) - A brawl erupted outside the Stellantis Center Line facility early Friday evening after a man driving by allegedly hurled racial slurs and insults at striking UAW members.
The incident - caught on video as SkyFOX helicopter cameras were rolling - unfolded with the man stopping his SUV and getting into a verbal confrontation with a group of UAW members.
Video shows it quickly escalated with shoving and the man grabbing a striker's sign, wielding it as a weapon swinging at UAW members.
After backing up against a fence, punches were exchanged as a group of members traded blows with the man. At one point the man stumbled onto the ground where he absorbed additional punishment.
The altercation appeared to simmer and the man returned to his vehicle when his wife got out, and can be seen throwing a piece of trash at the UAW members.
At this point pushing and shoving took place with one UAW member swatting her head with his sign.
The UAW boss at the scene told FOX 2's Jessica Dupnack that the man drove up, started yelling racial slurs, and throwing objects at the crowd.
Inside the man's SUV were his children, who also took part in yelling at the workers and throwing things at them, the UAW official said.
The man motioned like he had a weapon, leading to UAW members intervening to see if he had a (weapon) on him, he claimed.