Friend was an arse WWYD?

[Dasher789]

Long story short, I am in a group of 5 friends. Friend 1 lays into me one day, via group chat because we share differing political views. It came from nowhere, we had not been discussing anything. I think friend 1 may have been drunk?! I was on holiday at the time but opened my tablet to a very nasty barage of abuse sent to the group chat with friend 1 saying they wanted nothing more to do with me and then leaving the group. A couple of members reacted with WTF etc after friend 1 had left and agreed it was out of order and uncalled for, everyone else said nothing. Friend 1 met up with friend 2 a few days later (they live v closeby) and friend 1 was re added to the group. Friend 3 is arranging a meal for the group and all are invited. I am hesitant to go as Friend 1 will be there, so I told friend 3 I'd need to think. Friend 3 says they understand if I don't want to come and we can arrange something else soon but it would be a shame that I need to miss out when I haven't done anything wrong.

What is the protocol here?

I don't want to ask people to choose sides and split a group of old friends but I don't really want to spend any time with Friend 1. If I refuse to go where Friend 1 goes, I will effectively cut myself off from the group unless its something I arrange myself or one on one with other members.

AIBU - should I just go?!

If I do go, should I confront friend 1? I will never be friends with them again so I don't really care for trying to hash it out and make amends but I also don't want to sit pretending to be friends.

Wwyd?

I'd speak to her about it and tell her how shitty her behaviour was and how uncomfortable everyone feels as a result of her outburst.

I genuinely don't think she will care. She has changed a lot in the last few years. First she started taking drugs, then came out as gay and made a few new close friends including current flatmate, and now seems to be heavily influenced by flatmate/non official gf who is very vocal on various political topics. Friend never used to be all interested in politics but now is constantly insenced at the thought of anyone with a different view. I don't see any way back for our friendship but as an aside I also don't really want to be associated with someone involved with drugs too.

I think you have to decide on what your gut feels is right. If you decide to go but you're dreading it and are having to force yourself, then don't. But if you can go and be polite/civil and have a nice time with those who are your friends then why wouldn't you?