Hundreds of people protested at a Jacksonville restaurant after its owners were accused of beating a Navy veteran.
Charles Hughes, 66, was laying on the ground as he was kicked and punched outside the American Legion Post 283 in Jacksonville on Sunday, according to a police report.
The owners of Wing Depot on University Blvd. were arrested for battery and witnesses say they beat Hughes.
Story: Wing Depot owner responds to accusations of beating fellow veteran
Photos of Hughes' injuries were posted to a Facebook group named Boycott Wing Depot, which has almost 5,000 members.
Hundreds of people were expected at the protest at the restaurant beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Witnesses tell Action News Jax the beat down happened over a coaster.
People in the bar at American Legion Post 283 said Hughes playfully threw the coaster at the bartender while saying goodbye. Witness Jennifer Luty said one landed in the wrong spot and that ignited a fight.
She said it appeared Hughes' nose was broken and it looked like he had a footprint on the back of his head.
Terry and William Lodge have posted bail. Their lawyer said there is more to the story and that William Lodge is also a veteran.
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Harold making signs @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/QBvymMo6rs
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) June 2, 2016
JSO is here at the Wing Depot, protestors expected at 10:30 some are already here @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/nbdvsq7ZxE
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) June 2, 2016
People are really mad and already showing up @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/VkjSCjfKlg
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) June 2, 2016
Food truck is camped out supporting the protest @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/ulENB4GJOl
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) June 2, 2016
One man says Veterans are family, what happened at the Legion is so rare. @ActionNewsJax at 7:30 pic.twitter.com/OwaNuHVUCS
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) June 2, 2016
One biker already stopped by, what he has to say about the protests this morning @ActionNewsJax at 6:30 pic.twitter.com/PtWK5RkIcr
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) June 2, 2016
Ppl on FBare outraged about a local Vet allegedly beaten. Protests expected to begin at 10:30 at the Wing Depot pic.twitter.com/W5PfdVyxE5
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) June 2, 2016
On the Wing Depot @Yelp review page it says Yelp is monitoring the page for content related to media reports. @ActionNewsJax
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) June 2, 2016
People are starting to post reviews on @Yelp upset over the owners allegedly beating a #Navy Vet https://t.co/s19c3U9J0E @ActionNewsJax
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) June 2, 2016
A Vet allegedly beaten by the owners of The Wing Depot off of University Blvd N now a protest is expected this AM pic.twitter.com/dnb96HMrQl
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) June 2, 2016
Attorney Rosada tells me witnesses aren't telling the full story. Here's pictures of his clients' injuries. pic.twitter.com/SSWxbKmkTi
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) May 31, 2016
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