{{short description|Far-right and neo-fascist male-only organization}} {{use mdy dates |date=November 2021}} Since its foundation in 2016, members of the {{no selflink|Proud Boys}}<noinclude>, a far-right, neo-fascist, and exclusively male organization,<ref name="CTC 2021">{{cite journal |last1=Kriner |first1=Matthew |last2=Lewis |first2=Jon |date=July–August 2021 |url=https://ctc.usma.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CTC-SENTINEL-062021.pdf |title=Pride & Prejudice: The Violent Evolution of the Proud Boys |url-status=live |editor1-last=Cruickshank |editor1-first=Paul |editor2-last=Hummel |editor2-first=Kristina |journal=CTC Sentinel |volume=14 |issue=6 |pages=26–38 |publisher=Combating Terrorism Center |location=West Point, New York |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927210950/https://ctc.usma.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CTC-SENTINEL-062021.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2021 |access-date=10 November 2021}}</ref><ref>Far-right:
* {{cite news |last1=MacFarquhar |first1=Neil |author-link=Neil MacFarquhar |last2=Feuer |first2=Alan |last3=Baker |first3=Mike |last4=Frenkel |first4=Sheera |name-list-style=and |date=September 30, 2020 |title=Far-Right Group That Trades in Political Violence Gets a Boost |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/us/proud-boys-trump.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002065508/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/us/proud-boys-trump.html |archive-date=October 2, 2020 |access-date=October 1, 2020 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}} * {{cite web |last=Shannon |first=Joel |title=Who are the Proud Boys? Far-right group has concerned experts for years |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/09/30/who-proud-boys-group-mentioned-debate-has-violent-history/5868406002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002043549/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/09/30/who-proud-boys-group-mentioned-debate-has-violent-history/5868406002/ |archive-date=October 2, 2020 |access-date=October 1, 2020 |website=USA Today}} Fascist:
* {{Cite news |last1=Barry |first1=Dan |last2=McIntire |first2=Mike |last3=Rosenberg |first3=Matthew |name-list-style=and |date=January 9, 2021 |title='Our President Wants Us Here': The Mob That Stormed the Capitol |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/us/capitol-rioters.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109232819/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/us/capitol-rioters.html |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |access-date=January 10, 2021 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |quote=Some were aligned with the neofascist Proud Boys ...}} * {{cite news |last1=Bremner |first1=Jade |date=September 7, 2021 |title=What does the Proud Boys rooster symbol mean and what are the group's other secret symbols? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/proud-boys-symbolism-altright-b1915741.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/proud-boys-symbolism-altright-b1915741.html |archive-date=May 7, 2022 |work=The Independent |quote=The Proud Boys is a neo-fascist, pro-Trump, male group...}} * {{cite news |last1=Belam |first1=Martin |last2=Gabbatt |first2=Adam |name-list-style=and |date=September 30, 2020 |title=Proud Boys: who are the far-right group that backs Donald Trump? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/30/proud-boys-who-are-far-right-group-that-backs-donald-trump |work=The Guardian |quote=...the US neo-fascist group the Proud Boys}} * {{cite book |last=HoSang |first=Daniel |title=Producers, Parasites, Patriots: Race and the New Right-Wing Politics of Precarity |publisher=University of Minnesota Press |year=2019 |isbn=9781452960340 |page=2 |quote=[...] groups such as the protofascist Proud Boys [...].}} * {{cite book |last=Kutner |first=Samantha |title=Swiping Right: The Allure of Hyper Masculinity and Cryptofascism for Men Who Join the Proud Boys |date=2020 |publisher=International Centre for Counter-Terrorism |pages=1 |chapter=The Allure of Hyper Masculinity and Cryptofascism for Men Who Join the Proud Boys |jstor=resrep25259 |quote=Conclusion: Proud Boys represent a new face of far-right extremism. [...] This study explored the pull factors surrounding recruitment, the ways members describe precarity, and the communicative features that mark the group as a violent, cryptofascist extremist organization. |chapter-url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/resrep25259.pdf}}
Men only:
* {{cite book |last=Sernau |first=Scott |title=Social Inequality in a Global Age |publisher=SAGE Publications |year=2019 |isbn=9781544309309 |quote=The Proud Boys, an all-male neo-fascist group [...].}} * {{cite book |last=Álvarez |first=Rebecca |title=Vigilante Gender Violence: Social Class, the Gender Bargain, and Mob Attacks on Women Worldwide |publisher=Routledge |year=2020 |isbn=978-1000174137 |quote=The Proud Boys are a neo-fascist masculinist hate group.}} * {{cite news |date=August 31, 2017 |title='Proud Boys' back in Canada military after crashing indigenous ceremony |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41116175 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627091629/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41116175 |archive-date=June 27, 2018 |access-date=July 21, 2018 |publisher=BBC News}} Political violence:
* {{cite web |title=Proud Boys |url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016093217/https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |access-date=October 16, 2018 |publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |language=en}} * {{cite news |last=Lowry |first=Rich |date=October 19, 2018 |title=The Poisonous Allure of Right-Wing Violence |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/10/gavin-mcinnes-proud-boys-poisonous-violence/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022045754/https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/10/gavin-mcinnes-proud-boys-poisonous-violence/ |archive-date=October 22, 2018 |access-date=November 13, 2018 |work=National Review |quote=McInnes is open about his glorification of violence. In a speech, he described a clash with Antifa outside a talk he gave at NYU last year: 'My guys are left to fight. And here's the crucial part: We do. And we beat the crap out of them.' He related what a Proud Boy who got arrested told him afterward: 'It was really, really fun.' According to McInnes: 'Violence doesn't feel good. Justified violence feels great. And fighting solves everything.'}}</ref></noinclude> have been involved in a number of controversial and violent events. This list contains a number of those events, some of which have resulted in criminal charges being filed against participants.
== 2017–2018 == === New York University === In February 2017, Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes arrived at New York University to give a speech, accompanied by a group of about ten Proud Boys. Minor scuffles broke out between the Proud Boys and antifa protesters, and the NYPD said that eleven people faced criminal charges. One member of the Proud Boys who encouraged others to fight the "faggots wearing black that won't let us in" was later arrested for punching a reporter from ''DNAinfo''.<ref name="Beast2018">{{cite news|last1=Weill|first1=Kelly|last2=Shallwani|first2=Pervaiz|title=NYPD Looks to Charge 9 Proud Boys With Assault for Manhattan Fight|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/nypd-looks-to-charge-9-proud-boys-with-assault-for-manhattan-fight|work=The Daily Beast|date=October 15, 2018|language=en|access-date=October 16, 2018|archive-date=October 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016070146/https://www.thedailybeast.com/nypd-looks-to-charge-9-proud-boys-with-assault-for-manhattan-fight|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Offenhartz |first=Jake |url=http://gothamist.com/2017/02/03/nyu_proud_boy_protest.php |title=Anti-Fascist Protesters Clash With 'Proud Boys' As Gavin McInnes Speaks At NYU |work=Gothamist |date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=March 10, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320150155/http://gothamist.com/2017/02/03/nyu_proud_boy_protest.php |archive-date=March 20, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Campbell |first=Jon |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/news/gavin-mcinnes-wants-you-to-know-he-s-totally-not-a-white-supremacist-9672999 |title=Gavin McInnes Wants You to Know He's Totally Not a White Supremacist |work=Village Voice |date=February 15, 2017 |access-date=March 10, 2017 |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312073012/http://www.villagevoice.com/news/gavin-mcinnes-wants-you-to-know-he-s-totally-not-a-white-supremacist-9672999 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
=== Berkeley protests === {{main|2017 Berkeley protests}} At the 2017 March 4 Trump rally in Berkeley, California, Kyle Chapman was recorded hitting a counter-protester over the head with a wooden dowel. Images of Chapman went viral, and the Proud Boys organized a crowdfunding campaign for Chapman's bail after his arrest. After this, McInnes invited Chapman to become involved with the Proud Boys, through which he formed the Fraternal Order of the Alt-Knights.<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |last1=Feuer |first1=Alan |last2=Peters |first2=Jeremy W. |name-list-style=and |date=June 2, 2017 |title=Fringe Groups Revel as Protests Turn Violent |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/02/us/politics/white-nationalists-alt-knights-protests-colleges.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822055639/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/02/us/politics/white-nationalists-alt-knights-protests-colleges.html?_r=0 |archive-date=August 22, 2017 |access-date=August 21, 2017 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
On April 15, 2017, an alt-right rally was organized in Berkeley by the Liberty Revival Alliance, which did not seek or receive a permit, and was attended by members of the Proud Boys, Identity Evropa (an American neo-Nazi group)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thetab.com/us/2017/02/15/nathan-damigo-identity-evropa-60697/|title=Meet the neo-Nazi coming to put up white pride posters on your campus|date=February 15, 2017|work=The Tab US|access-date=January 16, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=August 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803152314/https://thetab.com/us/2017/02/15/nathan-damigo-identity-evropa-60697|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/11/27/identity-evropas-controversial-new-ringleader|title=Identity Evropa's Controversial New Ringleader|last=Kelley|first=Brendan|date=November 27, 2017|website=Southern Poverty Law Center|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507114655/https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/11/27/identity-evropas-controversial-new-ringleader|archive-date=May 7, 2020|url-status=live|quote=But not that long ago, in spring of this year, Mosley a/k/a Kline wasn't shy about the bigotry in his polemics whatsoever. In a report for Andrew Anglin's Daily Stormer about a pro-Trump demonstration in March, Mosley wrote, 'In Philadelphia, the city of faggotry love, played out an alliance between the Nazi led marchers and local police departments against their oven-dodging enemies… Spoiler, the Nazis won bigly.' He continues, 'This is a sign that we have moved into a new era in the Nazification of America. Normie Trump supporters are becoming racially aware and Jew Wise.'}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.kxly.com/news/white-supremacistdecal-found-at-gonzaga-university/706601484|title=White supremacist decals found at Gonzaga University|last=Gardner|first=Elena|date=February 24, 2018|work=KXLY|access-date=February 26, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327134508/https://www.kxly.com/news/white-supremacistdecal-found-at-gonzaga-university/706601484|url-status=live}}</ref> and Oath Keepers (an anti-government far-right group).<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Beckett |first1=Lois |last2=Laughland |first2=Oliver |name-list-style=and |date=November 5, 2016 |title=Specter of election day violence looms as Trump spurs vigilante poll watchers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/05/election-day-violence-donald-trump-poll-watchers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803152542/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/05/election-day-violence-donald-trump-poll-watchers |archive-date=August 3, 2019 |access-date=December 1, 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian |quote=One of America's largest anti-government armed militia groups, the Oath Keepers.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Oath Keepers: Anti-Government Extremists Recruiting Military and Police |work=Anti-Defamation League |date=September 16, 2015 |url=http://www.adl.org/combating-hate/domestic-extremism-terrorism/c/the-oath-keepers.html |access-date=December 1, 2016 |quote=The Oath Keepers are a large but loosely organized collection of anti‐government extremists who are part of the broader anti‐government 'Patriot' movement, which includes militia and 'three percenter' groups, sovereign citizens, and tax protesters, among others. [...] The ideology of the Oath Keepers most closely resembles that of the militia movement [...]. |archive-date=January 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117150516/http://www.adl.org/combating-hate/domestic-extremism-terrorism/c/the-oath-keepers.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Skocpol |first1=Theda |last2=Williamson |first2=Vanessa |title=The Tea Party and the Remaking of Republican Conservatism |year=2012 <!--revised 2016, but quote is from orig--> |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=33 |isbn=9780190633660 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5nYRDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA33 |access-date=December 1, 2016 |quote=Some anti-government extremists have unquestionably found their way into Tea Party groups—for example, members of the Oath Keepers, a group centered on current and former law enforcement officers. Expecting the Obama Administration to declare martial law across the country and detain citizens en masse, Oath Keepers proclaim their readiness to engage in armed insurrection to counter this supposed threat from the federal government. [...] The possibility of such a confrontation is not entirely rhetorical because members of the Oath Keepers have been tied to various militia groups. |archive-date=June 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627221130/https://books.google.com/books?id=5nYRDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA33 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Feuer |first=Alan |title=Standoff in Oregon Attracts Supporters Bearing Disparate Grievances |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 16, 2016 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/us/standoff-in-oregon-attracts-supporters-bearing-disparate-grievances.html |access-date=December 1, 2016 |quote=Some are members of the so-called Patriot movement, an umbrella effort of antigovernment activists that includes groups like the Oath Keepers, an organization of law enforcement officers and military veterans. |archive-date=August 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803152545/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/us/standoff-in-oregon-attracts-supporters-bearing-disparate-grievances.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Crowley |first=Michael |title=Trump's long dalliance with violent rhetoric |work=Politico |date=August 10, 2016 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/trump-violent-rhetoric-history-226873 |access-date=December 1, 2016 |quote=In April, the popular anti-government group Oath Keepers published an essay on its website warning of 'outright civil war' in the event that Clinton is elected. |archive-date=August 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803152555/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/trump-violent-rhetoric-history-226873 |url-status=live }}</ref> Many of these people traveled to Berkeley from other parts of the country and the rally was counter-protested and violence broke out, resulting in 21 people being arrested.<ref>{{cite news |last1=St. John |first1=Paige |last2=Rocha |first2=Veronica |title=Conservative and alt-right groups gather for 'free speech' rally in Berkeley |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-live-updates-berkeley-ann-coulter-conservative-and-alt-right-groups-1493319826-htmlstory.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 27, 2017 |access-date=May 12, 2017 |archive-date=May 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510230422/http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-live-updates-berkeley-ann-coulter-conservative-and-alt-right-groups-1493319826-htmlstory.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="LATberk">{{cite web |last=St. John |first=Paige |date=April 28, 2017 |title=For many at violent Berkeley rally, it wasn't really about Trump or free speech: They came to make trouble |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-berkeley-alt-right-20170417-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430174234/http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-berkeley-alt-right-20170417-story.html |archive-date=April 30, 2017 |access-date=May 1, 2017 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>
=== Halifax Indigenous Peoples' protest disruption === {{main|Statue of Edward Cornwallis#Recent discussions about the statue's removal}} {{external media|float=|width=|video1={{YouTube|id=WHkfDSQbNoI|title=Who are the Proud Boys?}} (''CBC News'') July 5, 2017|title=External video 2:29}} On July 1, 2017, five Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members who self-identified as Proud Boys disrupted a protest organized by indigenous activists in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at a statue of Edward Cornwallis, the first Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia. Indigenous activists had previously protested at the site and called for the removal of the statue because of Cornwallis's actions against Natives, including ordering a bounty for scalps of Mi'kmaq people. The Proud Boys carried the Canadian Red Ensign flag from the time of Cornwallis and one of them said to the indigenous protesters: "You are recognising your heritage and so are we."<ref name="indigenous">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41116175|title='Proud Boys' back in Canada military after crashing indigenous ceremony|publisher=BBC News|date=August 31, 2017|access-date=July 21, 2018|archive-date=June 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627091629/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41116175|url-status=live}}</ref>
General Jonathan Vance, the head of the CAF, announced an investigation,<ref name="CBC">{{cite web|last=Tasker|first=John Paul|title=Head of Canada's Indigenous veterans group hopes Proud Boys don't lose their CAF jobs|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/indigenous-veterans-group-proud-boys-1.4191749|publisher=CBC|access-date=July 6, 2017|archive-date=July 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706144938/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/indigenous-veterans-group-proud-boys-1.4191749|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/proud-boys-canadian-military-indigenous-protest-disrupted-1.4189615|title=Forces members who disrupted Indigenous rally face 'severe consequences'|publisher=CBC|first=Elizabeth|last=McMillan|date=July 4, 2017|access-date=July 10, 2017|archive-date=July 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709174618/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/proud-boys-canadian-military-indigenous-protest-disrupted-1.4189615|url-status=live}}</ref> Rear Admiral John Newton, Commander of the Maritime Fleet of the Royal Canadian Navy, was "personally horrified" by the incident and said the Proud Boys were "clearly a white supremacist group and we fundamentally stand opposed to any of their values."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aptnnews.ca/2017/07/05/the-military-apologizes-while-a-grandmother-demands-action-on-proud-boys-behavior/|title=The military apologizes while a grandmother demands action on "Proud Boys" behavior|work=APTN National News|last=Roache|first=Trina|date=July 5, 2017|access-date=July 25, 2017|archive-date=July 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709040502/http://aptnnews.ca/2017/07/05/the-military-apologizes-while-a-grandmother-demands-action-on-proud-boys-behavior/|url-status=live}}</ref> The CAF's investigation concluded by August 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/3669279/investigation-into-proud-boys-incident-in-halifax-concluded-military-official|title=Investigation into 'Proud Boys' incident in Halifax concluded: military official|work=Global News|last=Previl|first=Sean|date=August 14, 2017|access-date=September 14, 2017|archive-date=September 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919072039/http://globalnews.ca/news/3669279/investigation-into-proud-boys-incident-in-halifax-concluded-military-official/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month, Newton announced the CAF had taken "appropriate measures to address individual shortcomings" and that four of the members had returned to duty, warning: "Any further inappropriate behavior could result in their termination from the Canadian Armed Forces."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pugliese |first=David |date=August 31, 2017 |title=No criminal or disciplinary charges for Canadian military "Proud Boys" – group now back on the job |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/no-criminal-or-disciplinary-charges-for-canadian-military-proud-boys-group-now-back-on-the-job |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914220225/http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/no-criminal-or-disciplinary-charges-for-canadian-military-proud-boys-group-now-back-on-the-job |archive-date=September 14, 2017 |access-date=September 14, 2017 |work=Ottawa Citizen |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2018, the statue was removed from the site by the City of Halifax.
=== Unite the Right rally === {{main|Unite the Right rally}} In June 2017, McInnes disavowed the planned Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.<ref name="globeandmail"/> However, Proud Boys were at the August 2017 alt-right event, which was organized by white supremacist Jason Kessler.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/living-next-door-to-a-white-supremacist|title=Living Next Door to a White Supremacist|last=Yager|first=Jordy|date=August 23, 2017|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=October 18, 2017|issn=0028-792X|archive-date=October 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018071149/https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/living-next-door-to-a-white-supremacist|url-status=live}}</ref> Kessler had joined the Proud Boys some time before organizing the event.<ref>{{cite news|last=Strickland|first=Patrick|title=Unite the Right: White supremacists rally in Virginia|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/unite-white-supremacists-rally-virginia-170812142356688.html|access-date=August 21, 2017|work=Al Jazeera|date=August 13, 2017|archive-date=August 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812185803/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/unite-white-supremacists-rally-virginia-170812142356688.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Porter|first=Tom|title=Who are the alt-right leaders and provocateurs addressing the Charlottesville white nationalist rally?|url=http://www.newsweek.com/alt-right-leaders-are-addressing-largest-white-nationalist-rally-decades-650096|access-date=August 21, 2017|work=Newsweek|date=August 12, 2017|language=en|archive-date=August 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813192729/http://www.newsweek.com/alt-right-leaders-are-addressing-largest-white-nationalist-rally-decades-650096|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lind|first=Dara|title=Unite the Right, the violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, explained|url=https://www.vox.com/2017/8/12/16138246/charlottesville-nazi-rally-right-uva|access-date=August 21, 2017|work=Vox|date=August 12, 2017|archive-date=August 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813150325/https://www.vox.com/2017/8/12/16138246/charlottesville-nazi-rally-right-uva|url-status=live}}</ref> McInnes said he had kicked Kessler out after his views on race had become clear.<ref name="globeandmail">{{cite news|last=Houpt|first=Simon|title=Vice co-founder Gavin McInnes's path to the far-right frontier|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/gavin-mcinnes-path-to-the-far-rightfrontier/article36024918/|access-date=August 21, 2017|work=Globe and Mail|date=August 18, 2017|language=en-ca|archive-date=August 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822092943/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/gavin-mcinnes-path-to-the-far-rightfrontier/article36024918/|url-status=live}}</ref> After the rally, Kessler accused McInnes of using him as a "patsy" and said: "You're trying to cuck and save your own ass."<ref name="Woodhouse">{{cite news|last=Woodhouse|first=Leighton Akio|title=After Charlottesville, the American Far Right is Tearing Itself Apart|url=https://theintercept.com/2017/09/21/gavin-mcinnes-alt-right-proud-boys-richard-spencer-charlottesville/|access-date=January 10, 2018|website=The Intercept|date=September 21, 2017|archive-date=January 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110234211/https://theintercept.com/2017/09/21/gavin-mcinnes-alt-right-proud-boys-richard-spencer-charlottesville/|url-status=live}}</ref> Alex Michael Ramos, one of the men convicted for the assault of DeAndre Harris which took place at the rally, was associated with the Proud Boys and Fraternal Order of Alt-Knights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://njtoday.net/2018/05/03/charlottesville-beating-suspect-is-guilty/|title=Charlottesville Beating Suspect Is Guilty|date=May 3, 2018|publisher=njtoday.net|access-date=August 14, 2018|archive-date=October 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002071338/http://njtoday.net/2018/05/03/charlottesville-beating-suspect-is-guilty/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Islamberg caravan === In July 2017, the Proud Boys joined a caravan to ride through Islamberg, New York, a community of around twenty black Muslim families who moved upstate to escape the crime and racism of New York City, and which has been a target of conspiracy theories from various Islamophobic hate groups and right-wing terrorist plots.<ref>{{cite news |last=Obeidallah |first=Dean |title=Trump-Supporting Bigots to Target Upstate New York Muslims |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-supporting-bigots-to-target-upstate-new-york-muslims |work=The Daily Beast |date=July 14, 2017 |language=en |access-date=October 23, 2018 |archive-date=August 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811201608/https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-supporting-bigots-to-target-upstate-new-york-muslims |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NYTsurrender">{{cite news |last1=Feuer |first1=Alan |last2=Winston |first2=Ali |name-list-style=and |date=October 19, 2018 |title=Founder of Proud Boys Says He's Arranging Surrender of Men in Brawl |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/19/nyregion/the-proud-boys-gavin-mcinnes-arrested.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023120131/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/19/nyregion/the-proud-boys-gavin-mcinnes-arrested.html |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=October 23, 2018 |work=The New York Times |language=en |quote=Driving in a caravan toward Islamberg, an Islamic community in upstate New York, Mr. Young discussed his impressions of Muslims on the video. 'They are literally a virus,' he said. 'They eat and feed off the host nation until it’s dead.'}}</ref>
=== Pacific Northwest protests === [[File:Patriot Prayer IMG 4643 (36415340641).jpg|thumb|Tusitala "Tiny" Toese and Proud Boys in Seattle in 2017<ref>{{Cite news |title= Tusitola "Tiny" Toese explained why the Proud Boys took to the streets of Portland on Saturday, August 22, 2020 |newspaper= KOIN (TV) |date= August 23, 2020 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKnNGGf40t0&t=5s |archive-date= October 11, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201011162358/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKnNGGf40t0&t=5s |url-status= live }}</ref>]] The Proud Boys have been active for several years in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wendling|first=Mike|date=March 8, 2019|title=Meet the people at America's political extremes|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-47332054|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001092036/https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-47332054|url-status=live}}</ref> Starting in September 2017 and continuing into 2018, the Proud Boys participated in several rallies organized by Patriot Prayer in Portland, Oregon, and nearby Vancouver, Washington.<ref name="Wilson">{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jason |title=Portland far-right rally: police charge counterprotesters with batons drawn |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/04/patriot-prayer-to-carry-guns-at-portland-rally-as-fears-of-violence-rise |access-date=November 25, 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=August 5, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=November 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119091854/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/04/patriot-prayer-to-carry-guns-at-portland-rally-as-fears-of-violence-rise |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Matarrese">{{cite news|last=Matarrese|first=Andy|date=September 10, 2017|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/sep/10/protesters-clash-in-patriot-prayer-demonstration-on-vancouver-waterfront/|title=Protesters clash in Patriot Prayer demonstration on Vancouver waterfront|work=The Columbian|access-date=October 20, 2018|archive-date=October 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008073433/http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/sep/10/protesters-clash-in-patriot-prayer-demonstration-on-vancouver-waterfront/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Flaccus |first=Gillian |title=Portland prepares for right-wing, anti-fascist rallies |url=https://www.sacbee.com/latest-news/article216100720.html |work=Associated Press via The Sacramento Bee |date=August 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804110240/https://www.sacbee.com/latest-news/article216100720.html |archive-date=August 4, 2018}}</ref> Scenes of violence from one of these rallies was turned into a sizzle reel for the Proud Boys and was circulated on social media.<ref name="Guardian2018">{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Jason|date=July 14, 2018|title=Who are the Proud Boys, 'western chauvinists' involved in political violence?|language=en|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/14/proud-boys-far-right-portland-oregon|url-status=live|archive-date=October 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020213625/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/14/proud-boys-far-right-portland-oregon}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Neiwert |first=David |title=Patriot Prayer again brings violence to Portland with 'flash march' downtown, rounding out a weekend of far-right violence |url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2018/10/15/patriot-prayer-again-brings-violence-portland-flash-march-downtown-rounding-out-weekend-far |work=Southern Poverty Law Center |date=October 15, 2018 |access-date=October 20, 2018 |archive-date=October 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021111542/https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2018/10/15/patriot-prayer-again-brings-violence-portland-flash-march-downtown-rounding-out-weekend-far |url-status=live }}</ref> Violence erupted at two events in June 2018, leaving five people hospitalized after the far-right march on June 30 devolved into a riot in downtown Portland.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shepherd|first=Katie|date=July 4, 2018|title=MAGA Mayhem Fractures a Man's Skull, as Right-Wing Marchers Test the Limits of Free Speech in Portland|url=https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2018/07/04/maga-mayhem-fractures-a-mans-skull-as-right-wing-marchers-test-the-limits-of-free-speech-in-portland/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007061413/https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2018/07/04/maga-mayhem-fractures-a-mans-skull-as-right-wing-marchers-test-the-limits-of-free-speech-in-portland/|archive-date=October 7, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|website=Willamette Week|language=en-US}}</ref>
== 2018–2019 == === Say No to Marxism rally === In August 2018, the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC) summarized a report about right-wing groups gathering weapons before a rally. The basis for the warning is a July call from a man to the Berkeley police department, expressing concern about someone he knew who allegedly was a member of the Proud Boys that was "gathering masks, helmets, and guns and would have absolute war with the liberals at an event scheduled to take place in Berkeley on August 5, 2018".<ref name="Wilson 2020">{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Jason|date=October 1, 2020|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/proud-boys-white-supremacist-group-law-enforcement-agencies|title=Proud Boys are a dangerous 'white supremacist' group say US agencies|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=October 6, 2020|archive-date=October 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005153917/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/proud-boys-white-supremacist-group-law-enforcement-agencies|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 5, 2018, a Say No to Marxism rally in San Francisco organized by the Proud Boys and their allies resulted in their outnumbering by counter-protests.<ref name="Wilson 2020"/>
=== Metropolitan Republican Club === In October 2018, McInnes gave a talk at the Metropolitan Republican Club on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/proud-boys-republican-party-fascist-creep_us_5bc7b37de4b055bc947d2a8c|title=The Proud Boys, The GOP And 'The Fascist Creep'|last=Mathias|first=Christopher|date=October 18, 2018|work=Huffington Post|access-date=February 3, 2019|language=en-US|archive-date=February 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203041836/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/proud-boys-republican-party-fascist-creep_us_5bc7b37de4b055bc947d2a8c|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Onion, Rebecca (October 19, 2018). [https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/proud-boys-republican-club-wwii-fascists.html "A Devil's Bargain"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829210441/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/proud-boys-republican-club-wwii-fascists.html |date=August 29, 2019 }}. ''Slate''. Retrieved September 24, 2020. "But was last weekend's incident a turning point in the relationship between establishment Republicanism and far-right neofascists?"</ref> He stepped out of his car wearing glasses with Asian eyes drawn on the front and pulled a samurai sword out of its sheath. Police forced him inside. Later, inside the event, McInnes and an Asian member of the Proud Boys re-enacted the 1960 murder of Inejiro Asanuma, the leader of the Japanese Socialist Party; a captioned photograph of the actual murder had become a meme in alt-right social media.<ref name=VoxMetro/> The audience for the event was described by ''The New York Times'' as "a cross-section of New York’s far-right subculture: libertarians, conspiracy theorists and nationalists who have coalesced around their opposition to Islam, feminism and liberal politics."<ref name=disarray/>
Anti-fascist activists had started protesting outside the club before the event and had reportedly engaged in vandalism. Following cross-provocations between the opposing sides, the Proud Boys charged towards the protesters, who threw a bottle in response, resulting in a fight.<ref name=disarray/><ref name=BBCjailNY>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50148024|title=Far-right 'Proud Boys' jailed over New York City clash with anti-fascists|publisher=BBC News|date=October 23, 2019|access-date=October 24, 2019|archive-date=October 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023224506/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50148024|url-status=live}}</ref> NYC police present at the protest reportedly did not respond.<ref name=VoxMetro>{{cite news |last=Coaston |first=Jane |title=The Proud Boys, the bizarre far-right street fighters behind violence in New York, explained |url=https://www.vox.com/2018/10/15/17978358/proud-boys-gavin-mcinnes-manhattan-gop-violence |work=Vox |date=October 15, 2018 |access-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017001652/https://www.vox.com/2018/10/15/17978358/proud-boys-gavin-mcinnes-manhattan-gop-violence |url-status=live |postscript=. Updated and re-titled "Trump-Biden debate: The Proud Boys, explained" on October 1, 2020.}}</ref><ref name="NYTMetro">{{cite news |last1=Southall |first1=Ashley |last2=Pager |first2=Tyler |name-list-style=and |date=October 14, 2018 |title=Proud Boys Fight at G.O.P. Club Spurs Calls for Inquiry; Cuomo Blames Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/14/nyregion/proud-boys-nyc-antifa-fight.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016134015/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/14/nyregion/proud-boys-nyc-antifa-fight.html |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |access-date=October 16, 2018 |work=The New York Times |language=en}}</ref>
On November 21, 2018, McInnes said that his lawyers had advised him that quitting might help the nine members being prosecuted for the incidents in October and he said "this is 100% a legal gesture, and it is 100% about alleviating sentencing", and said it was a "stepping down gesture, in quotation marks".<ref name=guardiangesture>{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jason |title=Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes quits 'extremist' far-right group |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/22/proud-boys-founder-gavin-mcinnes-quits-far-right-group |work=The Guardian |date=November 22, 2018 |access-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124020545/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/22/proud-boys-founder-gavin-mcinnes-quits-far-right-group |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=heavygesture>{{cite news |last=Prengel |first=Kate |title=Gavin McInnes Says He Is Quitting the Proud Boys |format=video |url=https://heavy.com/news/2018/11/gavin-mcinnes-quits-proud-boys-video/ |work=Heavy.com |date=November 21, 2018 |access-date=November 21, 2018 |archive-date=November 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122052102/https://heavy.com/news/2018/11/gavin-mcinnes-quits-proud-boys-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The fallout from the incident left the group in internal disarray.<ref name=disarray>Moynihan, Colin, and Winston, Ali (December 23, 2018). [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/23/nyregion/gavin-mcinnes-proud-boys-nypd.html "Far-Right Proud Boys Reeling After Arrests and Scrutiny"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224013031/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/23/nyregion/gavin-mcinnes-proud-boys-nypd.html |date=December 24, 2018 }}. ''The New York Times''</ref> After McInnes nominally left the group, the "Elder Chapter" of the group reportedly assumed control. Jason Lee Van Dyke, the group's lawyer, was appointed as the chapter's chairman.<ref name=splinter_2018-11-28>{{Cite news|url=https://splinternews.com/proud-boys-failed-to-redact-their-new-dumb-bylaws-and-a-1830700905|title=The Proud Boys Just Accidentally Doxxed Their New 'Elders'|last=Crosbie|first=Jack|work=Splinter|access-date=November 28, 2018|date=November 28, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=November 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128164124/https://splinternews.com/proud-boys-failed-to-redact-their-new-dumb-bylaws-and-a-1830700905|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=huffpost_2018-11-26>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-proud-boys-are-imploding_us_5bfc16dde4b0eb6d9311e26d|title=The Proud Boys Are Imploding|last=Campbell|first=Andy|date=November 26, 2018|work=Huffington Post|access-date=November 28, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=November 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127092853/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-proud-boys-are-imploding_us_5bfc16dde4b0eb6d9311e26d|url-status=live}}</ref> Van Dyke was previously known for suing news media and anti-fascist activists for reporting on the group, and for making violent online threats with racist language.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lawyer-anti-fascist-lawsuit_us_5a0aefbee4b0b17ffce028fe|title=Lawyer Suing Anti-Fascist For Calling Him Nazi Sent Death Threats, Racial Slurs On Twitter|last=Campbell|first=Andy|date=November 14, 2017|work=Huffington Post|access-date=November 28, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=November 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127105653/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lawyer-anti-fascist-lawsuit_us_5a0aefbee4b0b17ffce028fe|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/proud-boys-lawyer-jason-van-dyke-arrested_us_5ba26515e4b0823ea19a61d5|title=Proud Boys Lawyer Arrested For Lying To Cops, Can Still Practice Law|last=Campbell|first=Andy|date=September 19, 2018|work=Huffington Post|access-date=November 28, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=November 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127105650/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/proud-boys-lawyer-jason-van-dyke-arrested_us_5ba26515e4b0823ea19a61d5|url-status=live}}</ref> The group then publicly released its new bylaw online, with the names of its "Elder Chapter" members listed and redacted. The redaction was later discovered to be botched, as the list of names can be accessed by selecting over the black bar of the released document.<ref name=splinter_2018-11-28/> A day later, the chapter announced that Van Dyke was no longer leader of the group, and Enrique Tarrio is the group's new chairman.<ref name="splinter_2018-11-29">{{Cite news|last=Merlan|first=Anna|date=November 29, 2018|title=The Proud Boys' Hilarious Slow-Motion Disintegration Continues|language=en-US|work=Splinter|url=https://splinternews.com/the-proud-boys-hilarious-slow-motion-disintegration-con-1830739264|url-status=live|access-date=November 29, 2018|archive-date=November 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130071551/https://splinternews.com/the-proud-boys-hilarious-slow-motion-disintegration-con-1830739264}}</ref>
Video evidence from three separate videos showed conclusively that the Proud Boys had instigated the fight after the Metropolitan Republican Club event.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 13, 2018|title=3 arrested in NYC clashes following speech by leader of far-right Proud Boys group|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-proud-boys-violence-new-york-arrests-20181013-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204014530/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-proud-boys-violence-new-york-arrests-20181013-story.html|archive-date=February 4, 2019|access-date=February 3, 2019|website=Chicago Tribune|publisher=The Associated Press|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>Crane-Newman, Molly (August 14, 2019). [https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/manhattan/ny-proud-boys-closing-arguments-20190814-wlkfz7kfkzao5kc3efbfjet5ge-story.html "Manhattan jurors hear closing arguments in Proud Boys gang assault case"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829210444/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/manhattan/ny-proud-boys-closing-arguments-20190814-wlkfz7kfkzao5kc3efbfjet5ge-story.html |date=August 29, 2019 }}. ''New York Daily News''. Retrieved September 24, 2020. "A Manhattan jury was asked to decide Wednesday whether members of far-right neofascist group 'Proud Boys' were justified [...]."</ref> John Miller, New York City's deputy police commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism, said that "incidents like [the post-MRC fight] make it more likely" that the Proud Boys would be "higher on the radar" of authorities.<ref name=disarray/>
Ten men connected to the Proud Boys were arrested in connection with the October 2018 incident.<ref name="Moynihan">Moynihan, Conlin (August 19, 2019) [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/19/nyregion/proud-boys-verdict-trial.html "Two Members of Proud Boys Convicted in Brawl Near Republican Club"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820001107/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/19/nyregion/proud-boys-verdict-trial.html |date=August 20, 2019 }}, ''The New York Times''</ref> Seven Proud Boys pleaded guilty to various charges including riot, disorderly conduct and attempted assault.<ref name="Moynihan"/><ref name=nytjul30/> Two of the men who accepted plea deals were sentenced to five days of community service and did not receive jail time.<ref>Staff (March 1, 2019) [https://www.thedailybeast.com/two-proud-boys-plead-guilty-in-nyc-attack-10-more-could-face-a-year-in-jail "Two Proud Boys Plead Guilty in NYC Attack"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302174430/https://www.thedailybeast.com/two-proud-boys-plead-guilty-in-nyc-attack-10-more-could-face-a-year-in-jail |date=March 2, 2019 }} ''The Daily Beast''</ref> In August 2019, two of the Proud Boys, Maxwell Hare and John Kinsman, were convicted following a jury trial of attempted gang assault, attempted assault and riot; the jury deliberated a day and a half of deliberations before rejecting their claims of self-defense.<ref name="Moynihan"/> Hare and Kinsman were each sentenced to four years in prison.<ref name="nytoct22">{{cite news |last=Moynihan |first=Colin |title=2 Proud Boys Sentenced to 4 Years in Brawl With Anti-Fascists at Republican Club |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/22/nyregion/proud-boys-antifa-sentence.html |access-date=October 23, 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=October 22, 2019 |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023000035/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/22/nyregion/proud-boys-antifa-sentence.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The final defendant is awaiting trial.<ref name="Moynihan"/><ref name=nytjul30/>
The four anti-fascist victims of the beating are not cooperating with prosecutors, even to the extent of revealing their identities, and are known only as "Shaved Head", "Ponytail", "Khaki" and "Spiky Belt". Because of their non-cooperation, the Proud Boys could not be charged with assault—which requires evidence of injury—and were instead charged with riot and attempted assault, which merely require an attempt to cause injury. Without the victims to testify, the bulk of the evidence in the trial came from videos of the incident, including footage shot by a video documentarian, and video from security cameras.<ref name="Moynihan"/><ref name=nytjul30>Moynihan, Colin (July 30, 2019) [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/30/nyregion/proud-boys-nyc-trial.html "Far-Right Proud Boys Go on Trial, but Anti-Fascists Are Boycotting"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801021105/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/30/nyregion/proud-boys-nyc-trial.html |date=August 1, 2019 }} ''The New York Times''</ref>
=== Connection with Roger Stone === In early 2018, ahead of an appearance at the annual Republican Dorchester Conference in Salem, Oregon, Roger Stone sought out the Proud Boys to act as his "security" for the event; photos posted online showed Stone drinking with several Proud Boys.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sommer |first=Will |date=July 5, 2019 |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/proud-boys-rally-rocked-by-sex-cocaine-allegations |title=Proud Boys Rally Rocked by Sex, Cocaine Allegations |work=The Daily Beast |access-date=July 17, 2019 |archive-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715222553/https://www.thedailybeast.com/proud-boys-rally-rocked-by-sex-cocaine-allegations |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Elise |last=Herron |url=https://www.wweek.com/news/2018/03/07/right-wing-provocateur-roger-stone-asked-proud-boys-for-protection-at-dorchester-conference-last-weekend/ |title=Right-Wing Provocateur Roger Stone Asked Proud Boys For Protection at Dorchester Conference Last Weekend |work=Willamette Week |date=March 7, 2018 |access-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917022306/https://www.wweek.com/news/2018/03/07/right-wing-provocateur-roger-stone-asked-proud-boys-for-protection-at-dorchester-conference-last-weekend/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=initiated>{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-the-proud-boys-became-roger-stones-personal-army-6 |title=How the Proud Boys Became Roger Stone's Personal Army |work=Daily Beast |first1=Kelly |last1=Weill |first2=Adam |last2=Weinstein |first3=Will |last3=Sommer |date=January 29, 2019 |access-date=July 17, 2019 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714152324/https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-the-proud-boys-became-roger-stones-personal-army-6 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In February 2018, the Proud Boys posted a video on Facebook which they described as Stone undergoing a "low-level initiation" into the group. As part of the initiation, Stone says "Hi, I'm Roger Stone. I'm a Western chauvinist. I refuse to apologize for creating the modern world", making him a "first-degree" member, which Kutner characterizes as being a "sympathizer". Stone denies being a member of the group. In July 2020, Facebook announced it had shut down the accounts and pages linked to Stone and Proud Boys. This network of over 100 Facebook and Instagram accounts spent more than $300,000 on ads to promote their posts and included false personas.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Sullivan |first1=Donie |last2=Cohen |first2=Marshall |last3=Polantz |first3=Katelyn |title=Facebook removes Roger Stone from Instagram after linking him to fake accounts |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/tech/roger-stone-proud-boys-facebook/index.html |access-date=July 8, 2020 |work=CNN |date=July 8, 2020 |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708200034/https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/tech/roger-stone-proud-boys-facebook/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In late January 2019, when Stone was arrested by the FBI on seven criminal counts in connection with the Mueller investigation, Enrique Tarrio, the chairman of the Proud Boys, met Stone as he left the courthouse in Florida. Tarrio, who wore a "Roger Stone Did Nothing Wrong" T-shirt, sold by a company owned by Tarrio, told a local TV reporter that the indictment was nothing but "trumped-up charges", and was later seen visiting Stone's house. The next day, in Washington, D.C., a small number of Proud Boys demonstrated outside the courthouse where Stone pleaded not guilty to the charges, carrying "Roger Stone did nothing wrong" signs and others that promoted the ''InfoWars'' conspiracy website. The Proud Boys got into an argument with anti-Stone hecklers.<ref name=weill0129>Weill, Kelly (January 29, 2019). [https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-the-proud-boys-became-roger-stones-personal-army-6 "How the Proud Boys Became Roger Stone's Personal Army"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129141657/https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-the-proud-boys-became-roger-stones-personal-army-6 |date=January 29, 2019 }}. ''The Daily Beast''. Retrieved September 24, 2020.</ref><ref name=barnes0129>Barnes, Luke (January 28, 2019). [https://thinkprogress.org/proud-boys-backing-roger-stone-enrique-tarrio-069e34a1ab1f/ "Roger Stone’s Proud Boy allies are still backing him"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130050313/https://thinkprogress.org/proud-boys-backing-roger-stone-enrique-tarrio-069e34a1ab1f/ |date=January 30, 2019 }}. ThinkProgress. Retrieved September 24, 2020.</ref><ref name=arciga0129>Arciga, Julia and Sommer, Will (January 29, 2109). [https://www.thedailybeast.com/roger-stone-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-lodged-by-mueller "Roger Stone Pleads Not Guilty, While Proud Boys and InfoWars Fight the #Resistance Outside"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208100012/https://www.thedailybeast.com/roger-stone-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-lodged-by-mueller |date=February 8, 2019 }}. ''The Daily Beast''. Retrieved September 24, 2020.</ref> Tarrio was later filmed behind President Donald Trump in February 2019, during a televised speech in Miami, where he was seen wearing the same message on a T-shirt.<ref>Elrink, Tom (February 19, 2019). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/02/19/far-right-proud-boys-chairman-sat-behind-trump-his-latest-speech/ "The chairman of the far-right Proud Boys sat behind Trump at his latest speech"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601035709/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/02/19/far-right-proud-boys-chairman-sat-behind-trump-his-latest-speech/ |date=June 1, 2020 }}. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved September 24, 2020.</ref>
Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes said Stone was "one of the three approved media figures allowed to speak" about the group.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wolf |first=Colin |title=Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio is running to represent Florida in Congress |url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2019/11/01/proud-boy-leader-enrique-tarrio-is-running-to-represent-florida-in-congress |access-date=September 22, 2020 |work=Orlando Weekly |date=November 1, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001032532/https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2019/11/01/proud-boy-leader-enrique-tarrio-is-running-to-represent-florida-in-congress |url-status=live }}</ref> When Stone was asked by a local reporter about the Proud Boys' claim that he had been initiated as a member of the group, he responded by calling the reporter a member of the Communist party.<ref name=initiated/> He is particularly close to the group's current leader Enrique Tarrio, who has commercially monetized his position.<ref name=initiated/>
''The Washington Post'' reported in February 2021 that the FBI was investigating any role Stone might have had in influencing the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers in their participation in the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/stone-jones-capitol-riot-investigation-radicalization/2021/02/19/97d6e6ee-6cad-11eb-9ead-673168d5b874_story.html|title=U.S. investigating possible ties between Roger Stone, Alex Jones and Capitol rioters|first1=Spencer S.|last1=Hsu|first2=Devlin|last2=Barrett|via=washingtonpost.com|access-date=February 21, 2021|archive-date=February 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223234240/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/stone-jones-capitol-riot-investigation-radicalization/2021/02/19/97d6e6ee-6cad-11eb-9ead-673168d5b874_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Portland mayor threat === In January 2019, Reggie Axtell, a member of the Proud Boys, threatened Ted Wheeler, Portland, Oregon's Democratic mayor, in a Facebook video post. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Axtell said in the video that Wheeler's "days are fucking numbered ... I promise you this, Ted Wheeler: I'm coming for you, you little punk." Axtell also said that he would "unmask every [anti-fascist] son of a bitch that I come across", referring to a campaign initiated by Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson, Proud Boy Tusitala "Tiny" Toese and former Proud Boy Russell Schultz to tear off the bandanas of anti-fascist demonstrators and taking pictures of their faces, thereby "demasking" them. The announcement of the campaign came shortly after an altercation that took place when Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer members attempted and failed to invade a chapter meeting of the left-wing organization Democratic Socialists of America. The groups clashed with anti-fascist activists nearby after being denied entry to the meeting, and said that they had been attacked.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2019/01/25/proud-boy-threatens-portland-mayor-im-coming-you|title=Proud Boy Threatens Portland Mayor: 'I'm Coming For You'|website=Southern Poverty Law Center|language=en|date=January 25, 2019|access-date=January 30, 2019|archive-date=January 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130110427/https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2019/01/25/proud-boy-threatens-portland-mayor-im-coming-you|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/427524-proud-boy-threatens-portland-mayor-in-fb-video-report|title='Proud Boys' threatens Portland mayor in Facebook video: report|last=Anapol|first=Avery|date=January 29, 2019|website=TheHill|language=en|access-date=January 30, 2019|archive-date=January 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130110408/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/427524-proud-boy-threatens-portland-mayor-in-fb-video-report|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/29/portland-violent-rightwing-group-targets-mayor-with-threats|title=Portland: far-right activist threatens mayor as groups change tactics|last=Wilson|first=Jason|date=January 29, 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=January 30, 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=January 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130194020/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/29/portland-violent-rightwing-group-targets-mayor-with-threats|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== 1776.shop === In February 2019, ''Slate'' magazine reported that Square, Chase Paymentech, and PayPal had pulled their payment processing services from 1776.shop, an online far-right merchandise site associated with the Proud Boys. 1776.shop lists itself as a project of Fund the West LLC, a Miami business registered to Henry Tarrio. In the past, Enrique Tarrio, the chairman of Proud Boys, has said that he is the "business owner" of 1776.shop, raising the probability that "Henry Tarrio" and "Enrique Tarrio" are the same person. Henry Tarrio is also the registered owner of "Proudboys LLC", which uses the same address as Fund the West.<ref name="Glaser 2019">Glaser, April (February 7, 2019). [https://slate.com/technology/2019/02/proud-boys-1776-shop-paypal-square-chase-removed.html "The Swag Shop of the Far Right"]. ''Slate''. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208071033/https://slate.com/technology/2019/02/proud-boys-1776-shop-paypal-square-chase-removed.html|date=February 8, 2019}} Retrieved October 6, 2020.</ref>
=== Menacing critics === In July 2019, it was reported that on several occasions Proud Boys had gone to the homes of their critics and menaced them. In June 2018, Vic Berger, who posts videos online mocking far-right figures, including Proud Boy founder Gavin McInnes, reported that he was visited at his home by a Proud Boy who told him: "You're really hurting the Proud Boys. You need to stop making these videos." Berger later said he had come into possession of an internal Proud Boy document which called for Proud Boys to find the addresses of their opponents and those of their relatives and "SHOW THEM THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES!!!"<ref>{{cite web |last=Campbell |first=Andy |title=A Member Of The Far-Right Proud Boys Menaced A Twitter User On His Doorstep |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/far-right-proud-boys-menaced-twitter-user-on-his-doorstep_n_5b06de68e4b07c4ea1060e92 |website=HuffPost |date=May 25, 2018 |publisher=Verizon |access-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001095911/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/far-right-proud-boys-menaced-twitter-user-on-his-doorstep_n_5b06de68e4b07c4ea1060e92 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Zach Rehl - Leader of the Philly Proud Boys (50558087973).jpg|thumb|Zach Rehl, lead organizer of the Philadelphia Proud Boys, flashing a white-supremacist hand sign<ref>{{cite news |last=Owen |first=Tess |title=Gritty-inspired protesters just chased a right-wing rally out of Philly |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/gritty-inspired-protesters-just-chased-a-right-wing-rally-out-of-philly/ |work=Vice |date=November 17, 2018 |access-date=December 25, 2020 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210802/https://www.vice.com/en/article/ev3zdm/gritty-inspired-protesters-just-chased-a-right-wing-rally-out-of-philly |url-status=live }}</ref> in November 2020]]
On June 29, 2019, a group of Proud Boys showed up at 11 p.m. at the Philadelphia home of Gwen Snyder, who tracks the movements of the Proud Boys. Snyder was not home at the time, so the group spoke to a neighbor, telling them that Snyder needed to stop posting on Twitter the names of Proud Boys and other information about them. One of the group allegedly said: "You tell that fat bitch she better stop." Snyder reported the threat to the Philadelphia police, giving them security camera footage of the incident. Prior to the menacing of Snyder, an anonymous Proud Boy posted on Telegram, a messaging app, a comment which called for action against "Philly's biggest shit stains."<ref>Sommer, Will (July 29, 2019). [https://www.thedailybeast.com/far-right-proud-boys-attempt-to-menace-critic-with-late-night-threat "Far Right Proud Boys Attempt to Menace Critic With Late-Night Threat"]. ''The Daily Beast''. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730031842/https://www.thedailybeast.com/far-right-proud-boys-attempt-to-menace-critic-with-late-night-threat|date=July 30, 2019}}. Retrieved October 11, 2020.</ref>
=== Demand Free Speech rally === A Proud Boys rally called Demand Free Speech<ref name="SommerRocked">Sommer, Will (July 5, 2019) [https://www.thedailybeast.com/proud-boys-rally-rocked-by-sex-cocaine-allegations "Proud Boys Rally Rocked by Sex, Cocaine Allegations"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707002432/https://www.thedailybeast.com/proud-boys-rally-rocked-by-sex-cocaine-allegations |date=July 7, 2019 }} ''The Daily Beast''</ref> took place on July 6, 2019, in Washington, D.C.'s Freedom Plaza and Pershing Park, drawing about 250 people.<ref name="Sanchez">Sanchez, Olivia (July 6, 2019) [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/07/06/white-nationalist-linked-proud-boys-outnumbered-counter-protesters/1661585001/ "Far-right extremists Proud Boys outnumbered by counter-protesters at Washington, DC, rally"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707021516/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/07/06/white-nationalist-linked-proud-boys-outnumbered-counter-protesters/1661585001/ |date=July 7, 2019 }} ''USA Today''</ref><ref name="SomerWhimer">Somer, Will (July 6, 2019) [https://www.thedailybeast.com/proud-boys-dc-free-speech-rally-goes-off-with-a-whimper "Proud Boys' D.C. Free-Speech Rally Goes Off With a Whimper"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707065642/https://www.thedailybeast.com/proud-boys-dc-free-speech-rally-goes-off-with-a-whimper |date=July 7, 2019 }} ''The Daily Beast''</ref><ref name="Herman">Herman, Peter; Jamison, Peter; Natanson; and Williams, Clarence (July 6, 2019) [https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/right-wing-groups-plan-freedom-plaza-rally-amid-heavy-dc-police-presence-to-prevent-violence/2019/07/06/40309e4e-9f68-11e9-9ed4-c9089972ad5a_story.html "Right-wing rally triggers skirmishes with antifa protesters as D.C. police work to prevent violence"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707042018/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/right-wing-groups-plan-freedom-plaza-rally-amid-heavy-dc-police-presence-to-prevent-violence/2019/07/06/40309e4e-9f68-11e9-9ed4-c9089972ad5a_story.html |date=July 7, 2019 }} ''The Washington Post''</ref> McInnes, Laura Loomer and Milo Yiannopoulos appeared while former Trump advisor Roger Stone and Jacob Wohl did not. A counter-protest and dance party across the street drew more people than the main rally. Police said there were only minor skirmishes between the far-right and antifa, and no arrests were made.<ref name="Sanchez"/><ref name="SomerWhimer"/><ref name="Herman"/> Republican candidate Omar Navarro, a perennial challenger for Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters' congressional seat, withdrew from speaking at the event, tweeting that his ex-girlfriend DeAnna Lorraine, a self-described "MAGA relationship expert", had threatened him, using cocaine and having sex with members of the Proud Boys.<ref name="SommerRocked"/> In response to Navarro's tweets, the Proud Boys issued a video featuring former ''InfoWars'' staff member Joe Biggs and Ethan Nordean—the star of a viral video showing him beating up an antifa protester—in which they "banished" Navarro from the Proud Boys. The Proud Boys' chairman Enrique Tarrio described the group as "pro-drugs". Other speakers who had been scheduled for the rally, including Pizzagate promoters Mike Cernovich and Jack Posobiec, had already cancelled their appearances for reasons not apparently related to Navarro's charges.<ref name="SommerRocked"/>
== 2019–2020 == === Counter-terrorism and extremism intelligence reports === In 2019, the 22-page ''Violent Extremism in Colorado: a Reference Guide for Law Enforcement'' from the Colorado Information Analysis Center (the state's version of the DHS) and the Colorado Department of Public Safety was released, with the organizations discussing the Proud Boys under the "White Supremacist Extremism" heading. In coverage from ''The Guardian'', it was reported that member organizations of the national network of counter-terrorist centers had issued warnings about the Proud Boys.<ref name="Wilson 2020"/> Calling Proud Boys a "threat to Colorado", the guide related them to neo-Nazi terrorist group Atomwaffen Division and how violent clashes in 2018 with the Rocky Mountain Antifa ended in the arrest of two members of the Proud Boys. Guidance about the Proud Boys in the report involved describing them as "a dangerous white supremacist group", as a white supremacist extremist threat, and with a "concern that white supremacist extremists will continue attacking members of the community who threaten their belief of Caucasian superiority".<ref name="Wilson 2020"/>
Also in 2019, the Austin Regional Intelligence Center (ARIC) compiled a ''Special Event Threat Assessment'' of potential dangers to the Austin Pride Parade. The ARIC identified the Proud Boys as being associated with a "growing backlash against Pride Month" which has emerged in the form of the straight pride movement, noting that a June 2019 transgender pride event in Seattle, Washington, was disrupted by the "alt-right Proud Boys organization".<ref name="Wilson 2020"/>
=== Taunting soccer fans === After Major League Soccer (MLS) ruled that the Emerald City Supporters (ECS), the anti-fascist fans of the Seattle Sounders Football Club, could not fly the flag of the 1930s anti-Nazi Iron Front paramilitary group at Sounders' matches, eleven members of the Proud Boys met the group of about 100 people as they marched into the stadium on August 4, 2019, to taunt and yell expletives at them. There was additional police coverage, with the only incident occurring when the Proud Boys attempted to enter a bar which is a known place for ECS members to gather. The MLS had categorized the Iron Front flag as "political imagery", which was at that time forbidden under league rules. However, groups in Seattle and elsewhere challenged the ruling,<ref>Evans, Jayda (August 4, 2019) [https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/fans-marching-to-sounders-match-hear-curses-from-people-who-pledge-allegiance-to-proud-boys-organization/ "Fans marching to Sounders match hear curses from people who pledge allegiance to Proud Boys"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807032759/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/fans-marching-to-sounders-match-hear-curses-from-people-who-pledge-allegiance-to-proud-boys-organization/ |date=August 7, 2019 }} ''Seattle Times''</ref> which was reversed in September 2019 when the MLS reaffirmed "its long-time commitment to the values of inclusion and diversity, including opposition to racism, fascism and homophobia and to ensuring that there is no place for repugnant hate speech in MLS stadiums".<ref>{{cite news |last=Murphy |first=Paul P. |title=Major League Soccer just walked back its ban of an anti-Nazi symbol at its soccer matches |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/25/sport/anti-nazi-mls-ban-trnd/index.html |access-date=October 1, 2020 |publisher=CNN |date=September 25, 2019 |archive-date=November 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191124040855/https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/25/sport/anti-nazi-mls-ban-trnd/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=MLS addresses politics in fan code of conduct revisions |url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/sports-pmn/mls-addresses-politics-in-fan-code-of-conduct-revisions |access-date=October 1, 2020 |work=National Post |agency=Reuters |publisher=Postmedia Network |date=February 18, 2020 |location=Toronto}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Reaume |first=Genevieve |title=Timbers fans help change MLS Fan Code of Conduct |url=https://katu.com/news/local/timbers-fans-help-change-mls-fan-code-of-conduct |access-date=October 1, 2020 |work=KATU |publisher=Sinclair Broadcast Group |date=February 28, 2020 |location=Portland, Oregon |archive-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229150448/https://katu.com/news/local/timbers-fans-help-change-mls-fan-code-of-conduct |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== End Domestic Terrorism rally === {{main|End Domestic Terrorism rally}} The Proud Boys and Joe Biggs, a Florida-based radio talk show host and former ''InfoWars'' staff member, organized an August 17, 2019 demonstration in Portland attended by members of several far-right groups.<ref>Staff (August 18, 2019) [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/08/18/antifa-proud-boys-claim-success-after-portland-protest/2045313001/ "Far-right groups and antifa face off in Portland"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818223905/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/08/18/antifa-proud-boys-claim-success-after-portland-protest/2045313001/ |date=August 18, 2019 }} ''USA Today''</ref><ref name="huffpo">Mathias, Christopher and Campbell, Andy (August 18, 2019) [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/proud-boys-portland-rally_n_5d59390ee4b0eb875f2539c4 "Proud Boys, Outnumbered By Anti-fascists, Get Police Escort After 30-Minute Rally"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818231236/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/proud-boys-portland-rally_n_5d59390ee4b0eb875f2539c4 |date=August 18, 2019 }} ''HuffPost''</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Mesh|first=Aaron|date=August 2, 2019|title=Portland Police Chief Foresees Violence at Next Right-Wing Protest|url=https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2019/08/02/portland-police-chief-foresees-violence-at-next-right-wing-protest/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805214148/https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2019/08/02/portland-police-chief-foresees-violence-at-next-right-wing-protest/|archive-date=August 5, 2019|access-date=October 5, 2020|website=Willamette Week|language=en-US}}</ref> The End Domestic Terrorism rally,<ref name=":6"/> which was sometimes subtitled "Better Dead than Red",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2019/08/portland-police-chief-to-protesters-intent-on-violence-dont-come-we-dont-want-you-here-i-dont-care-what-side-youre-on.html|title=Portland police chief to protesters intent on violence: 'Don't come. We don't want you here. I don't care what side you're on.'|last=Bernstein|first=Maxine|date=August 6, 2019|website=The Oregonian|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813202608/https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2019/08/portland-police-chief-to-protesters-intent-on-violence-dont-come-we-dont-want-you-here-i-dont-care-what-side-youre-on.html|archive-date=August 13, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> was intended to promote the idea that antifa should be classified as "domestic terrorism". It received national attention, including a tweet from President Trump.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Simon |first1=Mallory |last2=Sidner |first2=Sara |name-list-style=and |date=August 14, 2019 |title=Portland braces for dueling protests: What we know |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/14/us/portland-planned-protests-soh/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815012449/https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/14/us/portland-planned-protests-soh/index.html |archive-date=August 15, 2019 |access-date=August 15, 2019 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/2019/08/fox-news-host-warns-all-hells-going-to-break-loose-at-portland-protests-this-weekend.html|title=Fox News host warns 'all hell's going to break loose' at Portland protests this weekend|first=Kristi|last=Turnquist|date=August 15, 2019|website=OregonLive|access-date=August 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815191848/https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/2019/08/fox-news-host-warns-all-hells-going-to-break-loose-at-portland-protests-this-weekend.html|archive-date=August 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> One day prior to the rally, Patriot Prayer's Joey Gibson, who had organized similar events in 2017 and 2018, was taken into custody on charges of felony rioting during a May 1, 2019 incident.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=Flaccus|first=Gillian|date=August 17, 2019|title=At least 13 people arrested at Portland, Oregon, protest|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/portland-oregon-awaits-wing-rally-counter-protests-65027584|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009103452/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/portland-oregon-awaits-wing-rally-counter-protests-65027584|archive-date=October 9, 2020|access-date=October 4, 2020|website=ABC News|language=en}}</ref> The Proud Boys organized the August event in response to a video that went viral of masked demonstrators assaulting conservative blogger Andy Ngo at a Portland rally on June 29, 2019.<ref name=":7"/> The End Domestic Terrorism event drew more counter-demonstrators than participants—with at least one group urging its members in advance not to attend—and ended with the Proud Boys requesting a police escort to leave.<ref name="huffpo"/>
=== Bon Air Fire Company === In September 2019, Haverford Township, Pennsylvania, announced that one of its volunteer fire companies, the Bon Air Fire Company, had been permanently relieved of duty at the end of business the previous day because of its unwillingness to dismiss a leader in the fire company, Bruce McClay Jr., who was in the "initiation" process of joining the Proud Boys; McClay had offered his resignation, but the fire company had declined to accept it.<ref>Park, Katie (September 4, 2019) [https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/haverford-fire-proud-boys--20190904.html "Haverford shuts down fire company over Proud Boys controversy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906060041/https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/haverford-fire-proud-boys--20190904.html |date=September 6, 2019 }} ''The Philadelphia Inquirer''</ref><ref>Fieldstadt, Elisha (September 5, 2019) [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pennsylvania-fire-company-shuttered-failing-address-volunteer-s-proud-boys-n1049961 "Pennsylvania fire company is closed for failing to address volunteer's Proud Boys ties"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906104818/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pennsylvania-fire-company-shuttered-failing-address-volunteer-s-proud-boys-n1049961 |date=September 6, 2019 }} NBC News</ref> Four days after the township cut ties with the Bon Air Fire Company, the fire company reversed its decision and accepted McClay's resignation, saying its initial decision to refuse it was a "mistake"; this cleared the way for the township to re-open the company.<ref>Helsel, Phil (September 10, 2019) [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pennsylvania-fire-company-was-closed-over-proud-boys-ties-reopen-n1051786 "Pennsylvania fire company shuttered over Proud Boys ties to reopen after resignation"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910150243/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pennsylvania-fire-company-was-closed-over-proud-boys-ties-reopen-n1051786 |date=September 10, 2019 }} NBC News</ref>
=== Anti-BLM protests and COVID-19 misinformation === thumb|The Proud Boys at a Second Amendment rally in Richmond In January 2020, the Proud Boys attended a large Second Amendment rally in Richmond, Virginia. They are opposed to Black Lives Matter protests and see attempts to remove statues of Confederate leaders and other historical figures as a "left-wing plot to destroy American history".<ref name=":3"/>
On May 10, 2020, a bulletin on COVID-19 protest disinformation campaigns by the Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC) described how "the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, has been active in spreading conspiracy theories regarding Covid-19 on Twitter, Facebook, and Telegram", suggesting that "a faction of elites are weaponizing the virus, and a vaccine would likely be a tool for population control and mind control".<ref name="Wilson 2020"/> The CIAC bulletin also warned that "spread of disinformation has the potential to cause civil unrest and mass panic".<ref name="Wilson 2020"/>
On May 30, 2020, Facebook officials reported that internal systems flagged activity from Proud Boys-related accounts encouraging "armed agitators" to attend protests following the murder of George Floyd.<ref name="June 2020 Facebook">{{Cite news|last1=Mosk|first1=Matthew|last2=Osborne|first2=Mark|date=June 17, 2020|title=Facebook takes down Proud Boys, American Guard accounts connected to protests|work=ABC News|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/facebook-takes-proud-boys-american-guard-accounts-connected/story?id=71286604|url-status=live|access-date=October 1, 2020|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926001619/https://abcnews.go.com/US/facebook-takes-proud-boys-american-guard-accounts-connected/story?id=71286604}}</ref>
The group remained active in the Pacific Northwest and had a dozen chapters in Idaho, Oregon and Washington by 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bernton|first=Hal|date=October 1, 2020|title=Proud Boys in Northwest savor a boost from Trump's callout during presidential debate|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/proud-boys-in-northwest-getting-a-boost-from-trump-callout-during-presidential-debate/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002135657/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/proud-boys-in-northwest-getting-a-boost-from-trump-callout-during-presidential-debate/|archive-date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US}}</ref> In June 2020, members of the Proud Boys rallied at the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone in Seattle, Washington, in an effort to confront protesters.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|last1=Sardarizadeh|first1=Shayan|last2=Wendling|first2=Mike|date=June 17, 2020|title=Who are Boogaloo Bois, antifa and Proud Boys?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-53018201|url-status=live|access-date=June 18, 2020|website=BBC News|archive-date=June 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618013604/https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-53018201}}</ref>
thumb|The Proud Boys at an Ohio event in 2020 Washington resident and Proud Boys member Tusitala "Tiny" Toese, known for brawling in the streets of Portland and Seattle during political protests,<ref>{{cite web|date=August 12, 2020|title=Warrant issued for Vancouver 'Proud Boy' busted at Seattle protest|url=https://komonews.com/news/local/warrant-issued-for-vancouver-proud-boy-busted-at-seattle-protest|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001110558/https://komonews.com/news/local/warrant-issued-for-vancouver-proud-boy-busted-at-seattle-protest|archive-date=October 1, 2020|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=KOMO}}</ref> was arrested in Washington on August 28, 2020.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Wilson|first=Conrad|date=August 29, 2020|title=Proud Boy Tusitala "Tiny" Toese arrested in Clark County|url=https://www.opb.org/article/2020/08/29/proud-boy-tusitala-tiny-toese-arrested-in-clark-county/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001063339/https://www.opb.org/article/2020/08/29/proud-boy-tusitala-tiny-toese-arrested-in-clark-county/|archive-date=October 1, 2020|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=OPB}}</ref> He was wanted for multiple probation violations related to his 2018 misdemeanor assault conviction that left a protester with stitches and a concussion in June 2018.<ref name=":2"/><ref name=":5"/> Toese, previously affiliated with Patriot Prayer, had been observed participating in other assaults with members of the Proud Boys, including an assault at a Clark County, Washington mall in May 2018<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Conrad|date=January 14, 2020|title=Patriot Prayer's Tusitala 'Tiny' Toese Pleads Guilty To Assault Charge|url=https://www.opb.org/news/article/vancouver-patriot-prayer-tusitala-tiny-toese-plead-guilty-assault-charges/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001064548/https://www.opb.org/news/article/vancouver-patriot-prayer-tusitala-tiny-toese-plead-guilty-assault-charges/|archive-date=October 1, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|website=OPB}}</ref> and an assault in Seattle in June 2020.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=June 25, 2020|title=Tusitala 'Tiny' Toese arrested on probation violation|url=https://www.columbian.com/news/2020/jun/25/tusitala-tiny-toese-arrested-on-probation-violation/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823010626/https://www.columbian.com/news/2020/jun/25/tusitala-tiny-toese-arrested-on-probation-violation/|archive-date=August 23, 2020|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=The Columbian|language=en-US}}</ref>
Texas-based Proud Boys member Alan Swinney was arrested on September 30, 2020, and held in Oregon on "multiple assault charges, pointing a firearm at another, unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful use of tear gas, stun gun or mace."<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Conrad|date=September 30, 2020|title=Police arrest far-right protester who pointed gun at Portland rally|url=https://www.opb.org/article/2020/09/30/police-arrest-far-right-protester-who-pointed-gun-at-portland-rally/|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=OPB|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001022252/https://www.opb.org/article/2020/09/30/police-arrest-far-right-protester-who-pointed-gun-at-portland-rally/|url-status=live}}</ref> Swinney had been recorded firing airsoft pellets at protesters and journalists, and at one point brandished a revolver at his opponents during a Portland, Oregon protest in August 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wilson|first=Jason|date=September 3, 2020|title=Breadth of rightwing Portland protest network reveals energized Trump base|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/03/how-the-rightwing-portland-protest-organizers-represent|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001111103/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/03/how-the-rightwing-portland-protest-organizers-represent|archive-date=October 1, 2020|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> Swinney was later convicted of 11 offenses, including assault, and sentenced to 10 years in prison.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Levenson|first1=Michael| date=December 10, 2021| work=The New York Times| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/10/us/proud-boys-alan-swinney-sentenced.html | title= Self-Proclaimed Proud Boys Member Gets 10 Years for Violence at Portland Protests | access-date=December 11, 2021}}</ref>
On October 1, 2020, ''The Guardian'' reported several United States agencies variously described the Proud Boys as "a dangerous 'white supremacist' group", "white supremacists", "extremists" and as "a gang", with law enforcement showing concern "about the group's menace to minority groups and police officers, and its conspiracy theories", including COVID-19 misinformation and conspiracy theories.<ref name="Wilson 2020"/>
=== 2020 presidential debates === In the first 2020 presidential debate on September 29, 2020, President Donald Trump was asked by moderator Chris Wallace: "Are you willing, tonight, to condemn white supremacists and militia groups, and to say that they need to stand down and not add to the violence in a number of these cities as we saw in Kenosha, and as we have seen in Portland?" Trump replied: "Sure. Sure, I am willing to do that." He then asked for clarification, saying: "Who would you like me to condemn?" Wallace mentioned "white supremacists and right wing militia". During the exchange, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden replied "Proud Boys" and Trump replied: "Proud Boys, stand back and stand by, but I'll tell you what, I'll tell you what, somebody's got to do something about antifa and the left, because this is not a right-wing problem."<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eAIKBspVEQ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001023059/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eAIKBspVEQ&gl=US&hl=en |date=October 1, 2020 }} The Oregonian, September 29, 2020</ref> Shortly after, Joe Biggs, one of the Proud Boys organizers, shared through his Parler social media account a logo with the president's words "Stand back" and "Stand by".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.msnbc.com/11th-hour/watch/alt-right-group-proud-boys-share-trump-s-words-on-social-media-92827205714 |title=Alt-right group Proud Boys share Trump's words on social media |date=September 30, 2020 |website=MSNBC |access-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-date=October 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002071434/https://www.msnbc.com/11th-hour/watch/alt-right-group-proud-boys-share-trump-s-words-on-social-media-92827205714 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{external media | float = right | video1 = [https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/national/the-proud-boys-how-the-right-wing-extremist-group-gained-prominence/2020/09/30/f51b56a1-568c-49f2-b053-2d51f1bacd68_video.html The Proud Boys: How the right-wing extremist group gained prominence. ''The Washington Post'', September 30, 2020.] }} One researcher said that Proud Boys memberships on Telegram channels grew nearly 10 percent after the debate. ''The Washington Post'' reported that Trump's comments were quickly "enshrined in memes, including one depicting Trump in one of the Proud Boys' signature polo shirts. Another meme showed Trump's quote alongside an image of bearded men carrying American flags and appearing to prepare for a fight."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Timberg |first1=Craig |last2=Dwoskin |first2=Elizabeth |name-list-style=and |title=Trump's debate comments give an online boost to a group social media companies have long struggled against |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/09/30/trump-debate-rightwing-celebration/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930150716/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/09/30/trump-debate-rightwing-celebration/ |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |access-date=September 30, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>
On September 30, President Trump clarified his statement, stating that he "doesn't know what the Proud Boys are" and that "they should stand down. Let law enforcement do their work."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=September 30, 2020 |title=Indiana's senators respond to President Trump's remarks to extremist group Proud Boys |url=https://www.wthr.com/article/news/politics/indianas-senators-respond-to-presidents-remarks-to-extremist-group-proud-boys/531-e12e7de5-e8e0-498d-87e7-f6a0fc8fa8a1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002071347/https://www.wthr.com/article/news/politics/indianas-senators-respond-to-presidents-remarks-to-extremist-group-proud-boys/531-e12e7de5-e8e0-498d-87e7-f6a0fc8fa8a1 |archive-date=October 2, 2020 |access-date=October 1, 2020 |website=wthr.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Fritze |first1=John |last2=Subramanian |first2=Courtney |name-list-style=and |date=September 30, 2020 |title=Trump says he doesn't know Proud Boys, but 'they need to stand down,' as he faces backlash for not criticizing white supremacists |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/30/trump-says-he-doesnt-know-proud-boys-after-criticism-debate/5870564002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001015552/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/30/trump-says-he-doesnt-know-proud-boys-after-criticism-debate/5870564002/ |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |access-date=October 1, 2020 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref> On October 1, Trump said on Sean Hannity's show: "I've said it many times, and let me be clear again: I condemn the KKK. I condemn all white supremacists. I condemn the Proud Boys. I don't know much about the Proud Boys, almost nothing. But I condemn that."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Samuels|first=Brett|date=October 1, 2020|title=Trump: 'I condemn all white supremacists'|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/519275-trump-i-condemn-all-white-supremacists|access-date=October 2, 2020|website=TheHill|language=en|archive-date=October 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002053321/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/519275-trump-i-condemn-all-white-supremacists|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Choi |first=Matthew |date=October 2020 |title=Trump condemns white supremacist groups 48 hours after debate |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/01/trump-condemns-white-supremacist-groups-2-days-after-debate-424801 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002054406/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/01/trump-condemns-white-supremacist-groups-2-days-after-debate-424801 |archive-date=October 2, 2020 |access-date=October 2, 2020 |website=Politico |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Jeffery|date=October 1, 2020|title=Donald Trump says "I condemn the Proud Boys" after Republican backlash|url=https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-says-i-condemn-proud-boys-after-republican-backlash-1535814|access-date=October 2, 2020|website=Newsweek|language=en|archive-date=October 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002051803/https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-says-i-condemn-proud-boys-after-republican-backlash-1535814|url-status=live}}</ref>
During the second and final presidential debate on October 22, Democratic candidate Joe Biden mistakenly referred to the Proud Boys as "poor boys"—a slip that went viral on social media.<ref name="Poor boys">{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/10/23/biden-mistakenly-poor-proud-boys-presidential-debate/3740348001/ |title=Even if Joe Biden misspoke about 'Proud Boys,' social media embraces 'poor boys' |work=USA Today |access-date=October 23, 2020 |author=Bote, Joshua |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024034321/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/10/23/biden-mistakenly-poor-proud-boys-presidential-debate/3740348001/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Reclamation of #ProudBoys on social media === In early October 2020, a campaign from the LGBT community on Twitter, seemingly started by actor George Takei, was launched to 'reclaim' the hashtag #proudboys.<ref>{{cite news|last=Yo|first=Patricia|date=October 4, 2020|title=Gay Men Take Over Proud Boys Hashtag With Photos Of Queer Love|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/gay-men-take-over-proud-boys-hashtag-with-photos-of-queer-love|access-date=October 5, 2020|archive-date=October 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005012804/https://www.thedailybeast.com/gay-men-take-over-proud-boys-hashtag-with-photos-of-queer-love|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{cite news|last=Rosenblatt|first=Kalhan|date=October 5, 2020|title=Gay Twitter users flood #ProudBoys hashtag with LGBTQ pride images|work=NBC News|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/twitter-users-flood-proudboys-hashtag-gay-pride-images-n1242101?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma|access-date=October 6, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111014747/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/twitter-users-flood-proudboys-hashtag-gay-pride-images-n1242101?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma&fbclid=IwAR3iFfimOtkLIvqVEG4aa1OeuI_hQebEbc8tpxdWfbPG6sGrjrISpmT7woo|url-status=live}}</ref> The hashtag was previously used by the group to identify bigoted content, but it began to be taken over by positive messages celebrating LGBT families and communities, with memes and photos of gay friends and families.<ref>{{cite news|last=Strapagiel|first=Lauren|date=October 4, 2020|title=The "Proud Boys" Hashtag Has Been Taken Over By Gay Love|work=BuzzFeed News|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/laurenstrapagiel/proud-boys-hashtag-reclaimed-gay-love-photos|access-date=October 5, 2020|archive-date=October 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004230416/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/laurenstrapagiel/proud-boys-hashtag-reclaimed-gay-love-photos|url-status=live}}</ref>
Reception to the reclamation has largely been positive, with the hashtag trending on October 4. Tweets from prominent figures such as journalist Jane Lytvynenko and Florida Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith have acknowledged the campaign, with Takei tweeting that "our community and allies answered hate with love."<ref name="Elassar 2020"/><ref name="Forbes #proudboys">{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Abram|date=October 4, 2020|title=The Proud Boys Are Furious That Gay Men Have Taken Over #ProudBoys On Twitter|work=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2020/10/04/the-proud-boys-are-furious-that-gay-men-have-taken-over-proudboys-on-twitter/#316e4ae12aaf|access-date=October 6, 2020|archive-date=October 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006015504/https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2020/10/04/the-proud-boys-are-furious-that-gay-men-have-taken-over-proudboys-on-twitter/#316e4ae12aaf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Canadian Armed Forces in the United States also tweeted out support, with a picture of Corporal Brent Kenny kissing another man, with the Royal Canadian Navy and the account for HMCS Winnipeg (that Kenny sailed on) retweeting.<ref name="Forbes #proudboys"/> In a later tweet, the Canadian Armed Forces in the United States posted: "If you wear our uniform, know what it means. If you're thinking about wearing our uniform, know what it means. Love is love."<ref name=":11"/>
In response to the tweets, Proud Boys leader Tarrio officially commented that it was hysterical and that "this isn't something that's offensive to us. It's not an insult. We aren't homophobic. We don't care who people sleep with. People think it's going to bother us. It doesn't."<ref name="Elassar 2020">{{cite news|last=Elassar|first=Alaa|date=October 4, 2020|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/04/us/proud-boys-twitter-hashtag-gay-men-trnd/index.html|title=The #ProudBoys Twitter hashtag has been taken over by gay men|agency=CNN|access-date=October 16, 2020|archive-date=October 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012203554/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/04/us/proud-boys-twitter-hashtag-gay-men-trnd/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On largely-conservative social media app Parler, messages posted by members contained chiefly hateful comments such as "fags, can't stand gay people...should be illegal." ''Forbes'' has also reported Tarrio had posted opposing comments on Parler, describing how he believes "the left was attempting to turn the group's name into 'a slur' and that the gay pride campaign with #proudboys was an attempt 'to drown out the voices of our supporters.'"<ref name="Forbes #proudboys"/>
=== Foreign disinformation during the 2020 presidential campaign === During the 2020 presidential campaign in October, threatening emails claiming to be from the Proud Boys were sent to Democratic voters in Alaska, Arizona, Florida and Pennsylvania, the last three of which were swing states in the upcoming election. The emails warned: "You will vote for Trump on Election Day or we will come after you." Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio denied the group's involvement and said he had spoken to the FBI about it. Tarrio told ''The Washington Post'' that "[t]wo weeks ago I believe we had Google Cloud services drop us from their platform, so then we initiated a url transfer, which is still in process. We kind of just never used it."<ref name="Threatening emails">{{cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Amy |last2=Nakashima |first2=Ellen |author-link2=Ellen Nakashima |last3=Stanley-Becker |first3=Isaac |last4=Timberg |first4=Craig |name-list-style=and |date=October 21, 2020 |title=U.S. government concludes Iran was behind threatening emails sent to Democrats |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/10/20/proud-boys-emails-florida/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029152953/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/10/20/proud-boys-emails-florida/ |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |access-date=October 21, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> ''Miami New Times'' reported that the emails came from info@proudboysofficial.com, one of two websites belonging to the Proud Boys, and which Tarrio said had not been updated in a year and a half. Tarrio added that an authentic email from the Proud Boys would come from proudboysusa.com.<ref name="Proud Boys leader responds to emails">{{cite web |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/dhs-says-iran-not-proud-boys-sent-threatening-emails-11717745 |title=Proud Boys Leader Responds to Emails: "We Don't Care Enough to Intimidate Anyone" |work=Miami New Times |date=October 22, 2020 |access-date=October 22, 2020 |author=Cardona, Alexi C. |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022231958/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/dhs-says-iran-not-proud-boys-sent-threatening-emails-11717745 |url-status=live }}</ref> The FBI announced that Iranian intelligence was responsible for the spoofed emails sent to intimidate Florida voters, and added that Russia was also working to influence the election. Officials from each country denied the accusations.<ref name="Iran and Russia deny">{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/fbi-says-iran-behind-threatening-emails-sent-florida-democrats-n1244228 |title=Iran and Russia deny FBI accusation they are behind threatening emails sent to Florida Democrats |publisher=NBC News |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=October 22, 2020 |author=Collier, Kevin |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021235649/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/fbi-says-iran-behind-threatening-emails-sent-florida-democrats-n1244228 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Gang assault === In 2019, two Proud Boys were sentenced to four years in prison for attempted gang assault, attempted assault and other charges for a 2018 New York incident where they attacked individuals who prosecutors said were members of antifa.<ref>{{cite news|last=Levy|first=Rachael|date=September 30, 2020|title=Who Are the Proud Boys? Trump Tells Far-Right Group to 'Stand Back and Stand By'|language=en-US|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-are-the-proud-boys-trump-tells-far-right-group-to-stand-back-and-stand-by-11601485755|access-date=October 1, 2020|issn=0099-9660|quote=The men were found guilty of attempted gang assault, attempted assault and other charges after prosecutors said they had attacked members of antifa.|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001113338/https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-are-the-proud-boys-trump-tells-far-right-group-to-stand-back-and-stand-by-11601485755|url-status=live}}</ref>
== 2020–2023 == === D.C. Asbury United Methodist Church incident and criminal charges against Tarrio === On December 12, 2020, members of the Proud Boys targeted Ashbury United Methodist Church, the oldest historically black church in Washington, D.C., after pro-Trump protests earlier that day.<ref name="WUSA9-Dec2020">{{cite news |last1=Volou |first1=Khalida |title=Group burns Black Lives Matter banner taken from DC's oldest Black church during MAGA protest |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/protests/proud-boys-burn-black-lives-matter-flag-from-oldest-methodist-church-in-dc/65-623e8867-e61d-4238-b6d6-06bd754c2636 |access-date=December 13, 2020 |agency=WUSA9 |date=December 13, 2020 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210811/https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/protests/proud-boys-burn-black-lives-matter-flag-from-oldest-methodist-church-in-dc/65-623e8867-e61d-4238-b6d6-06bd754c2636 |url-status=live }}</ref> They flashed white supremacist hand signs and tore down and burned a Black Lives Matter sign that had been raised by the church.<ref name="Mathers-Dec2020">{{cite news |last1=Mathers |first1=Matt |title='F*** Antifa!': Far-right Proud Boys burn BLM banner while making white supremacy signs at DC rally |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/proud-boys-black-lives-matter-trump-b1772296.html |access-date=December 13, 2020 |agency=The Independent |date=December 13, 2020 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210805/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/proud-boys-black-lives-matter-trump-b1772296.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Reverend Ianther M. Mills, the church's pastor, described the acts as "reminiscent of cross burnings" and expressed sadness that local police had failed to intervene.<ref name="Politi-12Dec2020">{{cite news |last1=Politi |first1=Daniel |title=Church Pastor on Trump Supporters Burning BLM Sign: "It Was Reminiscent of Cross Burnings" |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/12/maga-black-lives-matter-sign-asbury-methodist-church.html |access-date=December 13, 2020 |agency=Slate |date=December 13, 2020}}</ref> Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio attempted to claim responsibility for the incident, which police have designated a hate crime.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hermann |first1=Peter |title=Proud Boys leader says he burned Black Lives Matter banner stolen from church during demonstrations in D.C. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/enrique-tarrio-proud-boys-black-lives-matter-sign/2020/12/18/c056c05e-415a-11eb-8db8-395dedaaa036_story.html |access-date=December 26, 2020 |agency=Washington Post |date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210846/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/enrique-tarrio-proud-boys-black-lives-matter-sign/2020/12/18/c056c05e-415a-11eb-8db8-395dedaaa036_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He was arrested on January 4, 2021, and charged with one count of destruction of property (a misdemeanor) and two counts of possession of high-capacity ammunition feeding devices (a felony); local authorities indicated the U.S. Attorney's Office would be the authority to decide whether or not to file hate-crime charges.<ref name="WaPoJan2021">{{cite news |last1=Hermann |first1=Peter |last2=Weil |first2=Martin |name-list-style=and |date=January 4, 2021 |title=Proud Boys leader arrested in the burning of Black Lives Matter banner, D.C. police say |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/proud-boys-enrique-tarrio-arrest/2021/01/04/8642a76a-4edf-11eb-b96e-0e54447b23a1_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104235505/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/proud-boys-enrique-tarrio-arrest/2021/01/04/8642a76a-4edf-11eb-b96e-0e54447b23a1_story.html |archive-date=January 4, 2021 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, which also targeted by vandalism during the December 12, 2020 protest, sued the Proud Boys and Tarrio.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/proud-boys-leader-arrested-sued-for-allegedly-destroying-churchs-blm-sign/2529006/|title=Protesters Ripped, Set Fire to BLM Signs at DC Churches, Organizers Respond|publisher=WRC-TV|date=January 4, 2020|access-date=January 5, 2020|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210813/https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/proud-boys-leader-arrested-sued-for-allegedly-destroying-churchs-blm-sign/2529006/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fox5dc.com/news/dc-church-suing-proud-boys-over-black-lives-matter-sign-vandalism|title=DC church suing Proud Boys over Black Lives Matter sign vandalism|publisher=WTTG|date=January 4, 2020|access-date=January 5, 2020|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210832/https://www.fox5dc.com/news/dc-church-suing-proud-boys-over-black-lives-matter-sign-vandalism|url-status=live}}</ref> The judge in the case also issued an injunction banning Tarrio from entering the District of Columbia, save for limited exceptions related to court matters.<ref>{{cite news |title=Judge bans Proud Boys leader from Washington, D.C., after arrest |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/judge-bans-proud-boys-leader-washington-d-c-after-arrest-n1252906 |access-date=January 6, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=NBC |date=January 5, 2021 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210812/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/judge-bans-proud-boys-leader-washington-d-c-after-arrest-n1252906 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== U.S. Capitol attack === {{Main|January 6 United States Capitol attack}} {{January 6 United States Capitol attack}} thumb|left|Ethan Nordean leads a Proud Boys contingent as they march toward the Capitol Building on January 6. thumb|left|Members of the Proud Boys passing the U.S. Supreme Court on their way to the Capitol building on January 6, 2021 thumb|left|Proud Boys from Arizona marching to the Capitol building wearing orange hats On January 6, 2021, many members of the Proud Boys participated in an attack on the United States Capitol,<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 7, 2021|title=Capitol riots: Who broke into the building?|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/55572805|access-date=January 12, 2021|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210850/https://www.bbc.com/news/55572805|url-status=live}}</ref> where some members of the group appeared wearing orange hats.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Leatherby |first1=Lauren |last2=Ray |first2=Arielle |last3=Singhvi |first3=Anjali |last4=Triebert |first4=Christiaan |last5=Watkins |first5=Derek |last6=Willis |first6=Haley |name-list-style=and |date=January 12, 2021 |title=How a Presidential Rally Turned Into a Capitol Rampage |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/01/12/us/capitol-mob-timeline.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112112452/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/01/12/us/capitol-mob-timeline.html |archive-date=January 12, 2021 |access-date=January 12, 2021 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Some members wore all black clothing, rather than their usual black and yellow attire, as Tarrio had suggested in a Parler post days earlier, which prosecutors said was an apparent reference to mimicking the appearance of antifa members.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Aaron |title=Proud Boys Spent Weeks Planning the U.S. Capitol Siege; Leader Ethan Nordean Poses a 'Serious Risk of Flight': Prosecutors |url=https://lawandcrime.com/u-s-capitol-siege/proud-boys-spent-weeks-planning-the-u-s-capitol-siege-leader-ethan-nordean-poses-a-serious-risk-of-flight-prosecutors/ |publisher=Law and Crime |date=February 4, 2021 |access-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210821/https://lawandcrime.com/u-s-capitol-siege/proud-boys-spent-weeks-planning-the-u-s-capitol-siege-leader-ethan-nordean-poses-a-serious-risk-of-flight-prosecutors/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Analysis by CNN found at least eleven individuals with ties to Proud Boys had been charged by February 3.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Perez |first1=Evan |last2=Polantz |first2=Katelyn |last3=Mallory |first3=Simon |name-list-style=and |date=February 3, 2021 |title=New charges allege Proud Boys prepped for Capitol insurrection |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/03/politics/proud-boys-indicted-capitol-riot/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210834/https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/03/politics/proud-boys-indicted-capitol-riot/index.html |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=February 5, 2021 |website=CNN}}</ref> The Justice Department announced on February 3, 2021, that two members had been indicted for conspiracy.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite news |last1=Benner |first1=Katie |last2=Feuer |first2=Alan |name-list-style=and |date=February 4, 2021 |title=Justice Department Unveils Further Charges in Capitol Riot |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/03/us/politics/capitol-riot-charges.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210858/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/03/us/politics/capitol-riot-charges.html |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=February 4, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Five individuals affiliated with Proud Boys were charged with conspiracy on February 11, followed by six more on February 26.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hsu |first1=Spencer S. |last2=Weiner |first2=Rachel |name-list-style=and |date=February 11, 2021 |title=Five more charged in Capitol riot allegedly teamed with Kansas City Proud Boys |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/kansas-city-proud-boys-charged-capitol-riots/2021/02/11/389d47b6-6c73-11eb-9ead-673168d5b874_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210842/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/kansas-city-proud-boys-charged-capitol-riots/2021/02/11/389d47b6-6c73-11eb-9ead-673168d5b874_story.html |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=February 12, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Keller |first=Aaron |date=February 28, 2021 |title=Six 'Proud Boys' Indicted for Conspiring to Obstruct Congress during Jan. 6 Capitol Siege |url=https://lawandcrime.com/u-s-capitol-siege/six-proud-boys-indicted-for-conspiring-to-obstruct-congress-during-jan-6-capitol-siege/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303021333/https://lawandcrime.com/u-s-capitol-siege/six-proud-boys-indicted-for-conspiring-to-obstruct-congress-during-jan-6-capitol-siege/ |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |access-date=February 28, 2021 |website=lawandcrime.com}}</ref> Federal grand jury conspiracy indictments of others followed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Polantz |first=Katelyn |date=March 19, 2021 |title=Two more Proud Boys indicted for Capitol riot as prosecutors detail evidence of planning |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/19/politics/proud-boys-indictment-capitol/index.html |access-date=September 27, 2025 |website=CNN}}</ref> Federal prosecutors were considering whether to pursue charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which is typically used to prosecute organized crime syndicates.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trump-capitol-arrests-idINKBN2AC269|title=Five charged with Proud Boys conspiracy in deadly U.S. Capitol attack|first=Sarah N.|last=Lynch|newspaper=Reuters |date=February 12, 2021|via=reuters.com|access-date=February 13, 2021|archive-date=February 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218013412/https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trump-capitol-arrests-idINKBN2AC269|url-status=live}}</ref>
A review by the ''Wall Street Journal'' of social media posts from Proud Boys members showed that the group repeatedly invoked Trump's messages as a call to action,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Wells |first1=Georgia |last2=Ballhaus |first2=Rebecca |last3=Hagey |first3=Keach |name-list-style=and |date=January 17, 2021 |title=Proud Boys, Seizing Trump's Call to Washington, Helped Lead Capitol Attack |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/proud-boys-seizing-trumps-call-to-washington-helped-lead-capitol-attack-11610911596 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210829/https://www.wsj.com/articles/proud-boys-seizing-trumps-call-to-washington-helped-lead-capitol-attack-11610911596 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=January 17, 2021 |work=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> and were disheartened by the arrests and what they perceived to be Trump's lack of action in the days leading up to Joe Biden's inauguration.<ref name="NYT2021">{{Cite news |last1=Frenkel |first1=Sheera |last2=Feuer |first2=Alan |name-list-style=and |date=January 20, 2021 |title='A Total Failure': The Proud Boys Now Mock Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/technology/proud-boys-trump.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210925/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/technology/proud-boys-trump.html |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=January 21, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>
On February 16, 2021, Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), the chairman of the United States House Homeland Security Committee, filed a federal lawsuit against Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, and Proud Boys International LLC. The lawsuit alleges that the events at the Capitol on January 6 violated the Third Enforcement Act of 1871.<ref name=":13">{{Cite news |last=Hsu |first=Spencer S. |date=February 16, 2021 |title=House Homeland Security chairman sues Trump and Giuliani, accusing them of inciting Capitol riot |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/lawsuit-trump-capitol-riot/2021/02/16/1695b6b0-6fd6-11eb-b8a9-b9467510f0fe_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216180543/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/lawsuit-trump-capitol-riot/2021/02/16/1695b6b0-6fd6-11eb-b8a9-b9467510f0fe_story.html |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |access-date=2021-02-16 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> The chairman of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, called the lawsuit "frivolous".<ref name=":13"/>
''The New York Times'' reported in March 2021 that the incident had caused Proud Boys and other far-right groups to splinter amid disagreements on whether the storming had gone too far or was a success, and doubts about the leadership of their organizations, raising concerns of increasing numbers of lone wolf actors who would be more difficult to monitor and might pursue more extreme actions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=MacFarquhar |first=Neil |author-link=Neil MacFarquhar |date=March 2, 2021 |title=Far-Right Groups Are Splintering in Wake of the Capitol Riot |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/01/us/extremism-capitol-riot.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304143256/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/01/us/extremism-capitol-riot.html |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>
''The New York Times'' reported in March 2021 that the FBI was investigating communications between an unnamed associate of the White House and an unnamed member of Proud Boys during the days prior to the incursion. The communications had been detected by examining cellphone metadata and were separate from previously known contacts between Roger Stone and Proud Boys.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Benner |first1=Katie |last2=Feuer |first2=Alan |last3=Goldman |first3=Adam |name-list-style=and |date=March 6, 2021 |title=F.B.I. Finds Contact Between Proud Boys Member and Trump Associate Before Riot |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/05/us/politics/trump-proud-boys-capitol-riot.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309031628/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/05/us/politics/trump-proud-boys-capitol-riot.html |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |access-date=March 7, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>
=== Portland, Oregon march === On August 23, 2021, the Proud Boys held a rally in Portland, Oregon, where they clashed with antifa counter-demonstrators.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Photos: Antifa supporters, Proud Boys clash in Portland|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2021/8/23/photos-protesters-clash-in-portland-after-opposing-gatherings|access-date=2021-08-25|website=aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref> Alan Swinney, a Proud Boy from Texas, attended the George Floyd march in Portland, Oregon where he “calmly and dispassionately used or threatened force” by spraying marchers with mace, shooting random people with a paint ball gun, (causing one marcher to lose an eye) and threatening others with a loaded gun. He was found guilty of attempted assault, second-degree unlawful use of mace, and pointing a firearm and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.<ref>{{cite news |last=Staff |date=December 10, 2021 |title=Former Proud Boys member Alan Swinney sentenced to 10 years for assault, other charges at Portland protests |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/proud-boys-member-sentenced-to-10-years-for-assault/283-be493bfb-01a3-4fd0-a015-60d1b23adde8/ |publisher=kgw.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dunn |first=Hailey |date=December 11, 2021 |title=Self-proclaimed Proud Boy gets 10 years for 2020 protest crimes |url=https://www.news10.com/news/self-proclaimed-proud-boy-gets-10-years-for-2020-protest-crimes/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913175541/https://www.news10.com/news/self-proclaimed-proud-boy-gets-10-years-for-2020-protest-crimes/ |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 9, 2023 |publisher=news10.com}}</ref>
=== San Lorenzo Library storming === On June 12, 2022, a group identified as Proud Boys by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office stormed a children's Drag Queen Story Time event at the San Lorenzo Library. Members of the Drag Queen Story Hour described the group as reportedly "extremely aggressive" who "totally freaked out the kids," by shouting homophobic and transphobic slurs during the event. Sheriff's office is investigating the attack as a possible hate crime.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Men disrupt drag queen storytelling at San Lorenzo Library shouting homophobic slurs|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/men-disrupt-drag-queen-storytelling-at-san-lorenzo-library-shouting-homophobic-slurs/|access-date=2022-06-12|website=cbsnews.com|date=June 12, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sheriffs Investigating Hate Crime After Alleged Proud Boys Disrupt 'Drag Queen Story Hour' with Homophobic Slurs|url=https://www.kqed.org/news/11916918/sheriffs-investigating-hate-crime-after-alleged-proud-boys-disrupt-drag-queen-story-hour-with-homophobic-slurs|access-date=2022-06-13|website=kqed.org|date=June 13, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Split with neo-Nazis === In June 2023, the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism reported that 10 Proud Boy chapters, mainly sympathetic to neo-Nazi ideas, split with the national organization after a fight broke out on June 25th between a dozen members of the Proud Boys and the neo-Nazi Rose City Nationalists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Global Project Against Hate and Extremism |date=2023-06-27 |title=Are the Proud Boys Imploding? |url=https://globalextremism.org/post/are-the-proud-boys-imploding/ |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=Global Project Against Hate and Extremism |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
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Category:Proud Boys Category:Neo-fascism in the United States Category:Political violence in the United States Category:White nationalism in the United States Category:Sexism in the United States Category:Contemporary history timelines