Masked men attack diners in restaurant near Chicago

The strange incident has caused a bit of a furor. The restaurant was called Ashford House Restaurant and a group of masked men suddenly entered the establishment on Sunday. They were armed with hammers and bats and proceeded to attack what appeared to be a very select group of people. According to the mayor of Tinley Park, Edward J. Zabrocki, there were as many as 18 masked men who attacked the group who were sitting at the table.

According to news reports, there are now those who believe that the group of people attacked were white supremacists. The group who entered the Irish-American eatery were wearing dark clothing, masks and hoods. Some are also hypothesizing that the attack was a result of spillover from the NATO summit and protests going on in downtown Chicago.

According to Zabrocki, "This was a real riot. These guys started beating the crap out of the other group. A lot of tables were knocked over, dishes were broken and there was food all over the walls. It was terrible. It was a mess."

Zabrocki also told the press that he had information that the group who attacked the diners may have come in from Indiana. He also stated that he believed they had originally come into downtown Chicago to participate in the protests going on all weekend. For some reason, the group apparently got word of the diners at Ashford House and headed there instead.

Police were able to arrest five members of the 18 men that attacked the diners. Police were still looking for 13 others believed to have been participating in the attack. Five of the men arrested were charged with aggravated assault, mob action and criminal damage to property. Nine people were taken to the hospital with injuries. Three were put into the hospital under more serious conditions. By Monday, there were improvements in all of those who were attacked.

Zabrocki said that he also had information that those who were attacked were attached to a white supremacist group. According to Zabrocki, an anti-hate-group called Anti-Racist Action posted on their website: "On Saturday, May 19th a group of 30 anti-fascists descended upon Ashford House restaurant in the Chicago suburb of Tinley Park where the 5th annual White Nationalist Economic Summit and Illinois White Nationalist Meet-and-Greet was taking place. The White Nationalists were targeted inside the restaurant and physically attacked, causing several injuries and completely shutting down their meeting."

According to the owner of the restaurant, the group that was attacked had made a reservation for up to 20 people. He stated that the group said they were from an Irish heritage organization. He also stated that the restaurant does not make it a policy to ask people who want to make reservations about their political beliefs.