Community Denounces Recent Violence, Demands Investigation Into Heritage Hubs Assaults
November 9, 2026, 6:16 p.m.

KNOXVILLE - AKIN stands with three local victims of violence and calls for Knoxville Police to investigate known leads in assaults by a suspected supporter of Heritage Hubs, an outside-funded far right organization seeking a Knoxville headquarters to recruit UT students.

Three community members were attacked outside a Heritage Hubs forum event at Jackson Terminal on Oct. 10, 2026. Heritage Hub's event registration required IDs, full names, email addresses, and phone numbers. AKIN demands Knox County Commissioners Andy Fox and Justin Cofer, both event panelists, pressure Heritage Hubs to provide KPD with information to identify the attacker.

“Two visions of who belongs in Tennessee were on display on October 10,” said Alfredo Garcia, Outreach Committee Co-Chair of AKIN. “While Knoxville celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, Heritage Hubs gathered to plan a future where some of our neighbors aren’t welcome. Now, one of its main organizers has been cited with assault and another attendee is accused of two more assaults. They are testing how far they can go before anyone stops them.”

Heritage Hubs forum organizer and former Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals member Robert Alex Moody is accused of striking a protester at the event. Two more community members were assaulted by an unidentified man that evening. Though KPD was given video and photos of an identified witness seen near a man in the unidentified attacker’s attire, no one has been charged.

“Is this a preview of what we can expect from this group: violent intimidation, contempt for our East Tennessee community, and an expectation of impunity?,” said Nat Morales, AKIN steering committee member. “Knoxville won't tolerate it. Commissioners Fox and Cofer must cooperate with KPD to identify a man who assaulted people they swore to represent.”

AKIN is a network of people in the Knoxville area who work to encourage dialogue about issues related to immigrants and refugees; to build better understanding among immigrants, refugees and members of local receiving communities; to support and learn from immigrant and refugee communities as they engage in civic and political life; to promote more just and reasonable policies toward immigration and asylum; and to foster a welcoming atmosphere in which all people are treated with dignity and respect and recognized for their positive contributions to the community.