Actually, “assault” can happen if you make the “victim” “feel” threatened. The next step is physical attack which makes the crime “battery.”
You are right.
In most states, you need "an imminent threat of physical harm that is reasonable from the circumstances" (or something similar).
Pointing to a tattoo does nothing to make a reasonable person think that a weapon will be imminently produced and used...
Only liberal psychosis can make that leap. "He's pale, and has politically incorrect body modifications! He must be about to attack, because a person with a high melanin content is nearby! Run! Aiiigghh!"