Proud Boys

Proud Boys (also known pejoratively as "Poor Boys")People embrace rebranding of 'Proud Boys' to 'Poor Boys' after Biden misspeaks by Dominick Mastrangelo (10/22/20 10:38 PM EDT) The Hill.) is a pro-LGBT hashtagLGBT Twitter users tease far-right group by taking over Proud Boys hashtag The Guardian 5 October 2020 far-right, Christian nationalist extremist hate group with ties to white nationalist groups and a history of misogyny and glorifying violence.Proud Boys, Southern Poverty Law Center.
Jason Wilson, FBI now classifies far-right Proud Boys as 'extremist group', documents say. The Guardian, 19 November 2018. It is a designated terrorist group in Canada and New Zealand.Canada Lists Proud Boys As A Terrorist Group, Alongside ISIS And Al-Qaida NPR 3 February 2021https://www.npr.org/2022/06/30/1108841462/new-zealands-government-classifies-the-proud-boys-as-a-terrorist-organization
Founder Gavin McInnes announced the Proud Boys on Taki's Magazine in 2016,Introducing: The Proud Boys by Gavin McInnes (September 15, 2016) Taki's Magazine. an alt-right publication. Numerous members of the Proud Boys are alt-right.The fratty Proud Boys are the alt right's weirdest new phenomenon McInnes hosts alt-right guests on his shows, like Holocaust-denying Baked Alaska.Facebook And Neo-Nazi podcaster The Right Stuff lauds McInnes for recruiting people to the far right.The Daily Shoah 150Do You Want Bigots, Gavin? Because This Is How You Get Bigots However, McInnes fiercely asserts that the Proud Boys are not alt-rightWE ARE NOT ALT-RIGHT — and they were willing to sue the Baltimore City Paper to prevent them from using the term.Proud Boy lawyer demands alt-weeklies not call "western chauvinist fraternity" alt-right
Some high-profile Proud Boys include Roger Stone (a Second Degree member),DailyBeastSuckMyDick by ProudBoys USA (Feb 21, 2018) YouTube (archived from April 12, 2019). Mike Cernovich, of Gateway Pundit, and 
==Early Proud Boys manual==
During the 2023 trial of Proud Boys members for their role in the 2021 coup attempt an early Proud Boys manual was made public; the manual had been seized by search warrant in 2021.Proud Boys facing sedition charges don't want jurors to see 'politically incorrect' guide to masturbation, slavery, 'housewives' by Laura Italiano (Jan 23, 2023, 4:33 PM) Business Insider. The manual can be dated roughly, based on McInnes' obvious writing style and the reference to Dante Nero as 'pope' of the Proud Boys; Nero had left the Proud Boys before September 2017, after he realized that the group was attracting racists.626: White Haze by Zoe Chase (September 22, 2017) This American Life. The manual is full of both inanity and contradiction. Why is this? One explanation might be that McInnes himself is a doofus, another explanation might be for the same reason that advance fee fraud emails are badly written — to quickly weed out people who might see through the scam.Why do Nigerian Scammers Say They are from Nigeria? by Cormac Herley, Microsoft.
All of Proud Boys' meetings are to begin with a three-paragraph quote from Pat Buchanan's book The Death of the West,The Death of the West by Patrick J. Buchanan (2002) St. Martin's Griffin. ISBN 0312285485. which puts the lie to the claim that Proud Boys are merely "Western chauvinist" since Buchanan is an anti-semitic fascist.Buchanan Explained by Charles Krauthammer (March 1, 1992) The Washington Post.Patrick Buchanan: Unrepentant Bigot (February 27, 2012) Anti-Defamation League (archived from October 30, 2012). The "Western chauvinist" claim is essentially spin (public relations) for being white nationalist.Why non-White people might advocate white supremacy by Philip Bump (May 8, 2023 at 2:48 p.m. EDT) The Washington Post. Regarding these paragraphs, the manual instructs chapters in other countries to omit the sentence with American exceptionalism ("America was a segregated society, but in no other nation do people enjoy greater freedom, opportunity, and prosperity than here in the United States.").
The manual includes cultural appropriation: using the Swahili word for freedom (uhuru) as a rallying cry, and using the Muslim phrase "peace be unto him", a phrase which is only used for the prophet Muhammad. The manual then wonders rather stupidly whether Muslims should be allowed to join. In reference to men whom McInnes is unsure of whether they could join, the manual also includes the offensive term 'Abbo' (for Australian Aborigines),Abo, n. and adj., Oxford English Dictionary. but presumably referring to the person that McInnes married in 2005, a Native American woman. Another cultural appropriation that the Proud Boys make is the use of the song "Proud of Your Boy" from the Broadway musical Aladdin (2014 release),Proud of Your Boy Genius. which contains rather silly lyrics for a bunch of supposedly macho men. Aladdin is ultimately based on a Middle Eastern folktale, so we're 'proud' of you boys for stealing that too.
In the section "Our Politics", it is immediately claimed that "We are not a political group. We are a fraternal brotherhood like the Elk's Lodge or the Shriners." The section then proceeds to list McInnes' "10 Ways to Save America", what are essentially wrong-headed and simplistic political positions:
==Violence==
McInnes frequently asserts that the Proud Boys are nonviolent. For example, McInnes wrote that "We don’t start fights but we will finish them. The violence you see in the media is us defending ourselves from lunatics who want us dead for no discernible reason." However, as Rewire News notes, McInnes has a preoccupation with violence and often justifies it:How Hate Goes ‘Mainstream’: Gavin McInnes and the Proud Boys by Sharona Coutts (Aug 28, 2017, 3:27pm) Rewire News Group.
In practice, the Proud Boys have gained infamy mostly from their violent stunts. For example, Proud Boy Kyle Chapman became infamous as "Based Stickman" for a video of him breaking a wooden stick over the head of an antifascist activist. McInnes himself proudly announced that Chapman had founded the "Fraternal Order of Alt-Knights", which he described as the "military division of [the] Proud[ ]Boys".Twitter The Proud Boys gained headlines when they acted as the "security" force for white nationalist Lauren Southern in the "Battle of Berkeley". Afterwards, the official Proud Boys Twitter account wrote that Southern had been "protected by TheProud Boys today" and that "hearing her say 'they (antifa) can’t get to me, I’m with the guys' felt great".
On August 10, 2018, McInnes' Twitter account and the Proud Boys' Twitter account were suspended by Twitter per their rules on violent extremist groups.Twitter Suspends Proud Boys And Founder Gavin McInnes Accounts Ahead Of Unite The Right RallyTwitter Shuts Down Accounts of Vice Co-Founder Gavin McInnes, Proud Boys Ahead of ‘Unite the Right’ Rally
===Crimes===
*In January 2019, Tusitala "Tiny" Toese, a Samoan-American member of Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge from a 2018 brawl in Portland, Oregon.Clark County Proud Boy, former Patriot Prayer brawler Tusitala ‘Tiny’ Toese arrested in Washington by Eder Campuzano (Updated Aug 29, 2020; Posted Aug 29, 2020) The Oregonian.
*On August 19, 2019, Proud Boys Maxwell Hare and John Kinsman were convicted of "attempted gang assault, attempted assault and riot" outside a speech by McInnes at the Metropolitan Republican Club in New York City.Republicans Are Adopting the Proud Boys: Before and after the Manhattan brawl, GOP figures defended and promoted the far-right group. It’s a valuable and dangerous bridge between fascism and mainstream politics. by Kelly Weill & Will Sommer (Updated 10.17.18 10:57AM ET / Published 10.16.18 4:43AM ET) Daily Beast.Two Members of Proud Boys Convicted in Brawl Near Republican Club: The charges resulted from an altercation with anti-fascists after the group’s founder, Gavin McInnes, had spoken in Manhattan. by Colin Moynihan (Aug. 19, 2019) The New York Times. During the trial, McInnes was referred to by prosecutors as a hatemonger. A total of 10 Proud Boys had been arrested who were at the event, 7 of pleaded guilty to charges of "riot, disorderly conduct and attempted assault", and one other is awaiting trial.
*In 2019, Buckey Wolfe, a Proud Boy and QAnon follower, allegedly killed his brother with a sword because he thought he was a lizard.
*In August 2020, Proud Boy Travis Taylor allegedly attacked and broke the finger of a journalist (Robert Evans, @iwriteOK).The man who attacked @iwriteok and broke his finger on Saturday is Travis Taylor, a Proud Boy previously identified by @TorchAntifa. https://torchantifa.org/dox-all-your-boys-part-6/ … See a comparison below between his face and tattoos between 2018 and this weekend. by @bellingcat (5:30 AM · Aug 25, 2020) Twitter (archived from August 30, 2020).
*In September 2020, Proud Boy Alan James Swinney was charged with multiple counts of assault, "pointing a firearm at another, unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful use of tear gas, stun gun or mace."Police arrest far-right protester who pointed gun at Portland rally by Conrad Wilson (Sept. 30, 2020 8:27 a.m.) Oregon Public Broadcasting. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2021.Self-proclaimed Proud Boy gets 10 years for 2020 protest crimes: Multnomah County deputy DA called Swinney a 'vigilante cowboy' by Hailey Dunn (Posted: Dec 13, 2021 / 11:42 AM EST / Updated: Dec 13, 2021 / 11:42 AM EST) WVNS-TV.
*In December 12, 2020, after weeping at homes that their god-emperor had not been reelected president, about 700 PBs and peripheral supporters rallied in Washington, DC. About three dozen people were arrested for causing violence, and it was reported that members of the rally roamed the streets looking for fights.Pro-Trump rally descends into chaos as Proud Boys roam D.C. looking to fight by Peter Hermann (Dec. 13, 2020 at 6:50 p.m. PST) The Washington Post. Four people were stabbed"Four People Stabbed and At Least 23 Arrested at Pro-Trump Rally in D.C." by Ashrap Khalil, Time, 2020 December 13th and four churches were vandalized during the chaos."Bowser Condemns Vandalism Of DC Churches By Proud Boys" by Michael O'Connell, Patch. 2020 Dec 14
*On January 4, 2021, the leader of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, was arrested in Washington D.C. on a warrant charging him with burning a Black Lives Matter banner taken from a historic African American church during the above demonstration on the night of December 12, 2020. During the arrest, officers confiscated two high-capacity ammunition feeding devices and charged him with felony possession of them."Proud Boys leader arrested in the burning of Black Lives Matter banner, D.C. police say" by Peter Hermann and Martin Weil, Washington Post, 2021 Jan 4 Tarrio was found guilty of two misdemeanors and sentenced to 155 days of incarceration.Proud Boys leader sentenced to more than 5 months for burning Black Lives Matter banner: Henry Tarrio, 37, known to followers as Enrique, admitted that he burned a Black Lives Matter banner taken from a historic Black church during a pro-Trump demonstration in December. by Pete Williams (Aug. 23, 2021, 12:24 PM PDT / Updated Aug. 23, 2021, 12:34 PM PDT) NBC News.
*On August 31, 2023, Joe Biggs was sentenced to 17 years in prison for seditious conspiracy.Proud Boy leader Joseph Biggs sentenced to 17 years for Jan. 6 crimes by Rachel Weiner & Tom Jackman (August 31, 2023) The Washington Post.
===2021 U.S. Capitol riot===
At least 37 members or associates of the Proud Boys were arrested in connection with the Capitol riot.Two Fla. police officers charged in new Proud Boys indictment in Capitol riot by Spencer Hsu (July 16, 2021) The Washington Post. "[A]t least 65 Proud Boys affiliates joined an on-the-ground communications channel in Washington, led by four men accused of leading others in some of the most destructive, aggressive and earliest attacks to breach police lines… "A confidential informant from the Proud Boys told the FBI the Proud Boys would have killed Mike Pence if given a chance."Trump put Pence in more danger than we knew by Philip Bump (June 16, 2022 at 4:47 p.m. EDT) The Washington Post.
*On January 8, 2021, the leader of the Hawaii chapter of the Proud Boys, Nick Ochs,Nicholas Ochs Ballotpedia. was charged with trespassing into a restricted building during the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot. Ochs is also a member of "Murder the Media",Journalists were attacked, threatened and detained during the Capitol siege by Brittany Shammas (Jan. 9, 2021 at 5:00 a.m. PST) The Washington Post. "'MURDER THE MEDIA,' someone carved into a door." a YouTube podcast.Hawaii Proud Boy Leader Nick Ochs Busted in Capitol Riot by William Bredderman et al. (Updated Jan. 08, 2021 7:23PM ET / Published Jan. 08, 2021 3:36PM ET) Daily Beast.
*On January 13, 2021, self-described Proud Boy Eduard Florea was arrested in New York City for making threats against Democrats.Man arrested in Queens after FBI investigates 'threats to Democrats': sources by Anthony DiLorenzo (Posted at 7:58 AM, Jan 13, 2021; last updated 5:06 AM, Jan 13, 2021) PIX11. In August 2021, Florea pleaded guilty to one count of transmitting threats to injure Senator Raphael G. Warnock, and one count of possessing ammunition after having been convicted of a felony.Proud Boys supporter pleads guilty to threatening Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock: ‘Dead men can’t pass laws’ by Julian Mark (August 17, 2021) The Washington Post.
*Also on January 13, 2021, Dominic Pezzola (a.k.a. "Spazzo"), who broke the first window in the Capitol riot, was arrested and charged.Adam Rawnsley and Pilar Melendez, Feds Track Down Bearded Proud Boy Seen Smashing Capitol Window With Police Shield. The Daily Beast, 15 January 2021. He has also been charged with conspiracy along with fellow-PB, William Pepe.Actions by Proud Boy at Capitol show ‘planning, determination, and coordination,’ U.S. alleges by Rachel Weiner & Spencer S. Hsu (Jan. 29, 2021 at 4:23 p.m. PST) The Washington Post.
*On January 15, 2021, the FBI charged self-declared Proud Boy Daniel Goodwyn with trespassing into a restricted building during the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot. During the riot, while in the Capitol building, Goodwyn was doxxed by Baked Alaska."SF web developer allegedly in livestream at Capitol riot found, arrested in Texas" by Katie Dowd, SFGate, 2021 Februrary 9
*On January 20, 2021, Joseph Biggs, yet another self-described Proud Boys leader,Joe Biggs. Encyclopedia of American Loons, 15 August 2022. former Infowars staffer, and an organizer of a controversial rally that took place in Portland, Oregon on August 17, 2019 called the "","ontroversial organizer of planned Portland demonstration speaks to KATU" by KATU News, KATU 2 ABC, 2019 August 16 was arrested in Florida for his role in the Capitol riot and charged with obstructing an official proceeding before Congress, entering a restricted on the groups of the U.S. Capitol and disorderly conduct."Proud Boy organizer arrested in Florida for riot at Capitol", Associated Press / San Francisco Chronicle, 2021 January 20"Joe Biggs, Proud Boys Leader and Former Infowars Staffer, Arrested Over Capitol Riot" by Alexandra Garrett, Newsweek, 2021 January 20
*A father-son pair of proud boys were arrested, Kevin “Tito” Tuck and his son Nathaniel A. Tuck, who are former and current police officers. They are charged with 9 counts, including assault of police officers and theft of government property.U.S. v Arthur Jackman et al. superseding indictment (Jul 16, 2021 at 11:42 AM) The Washington Post.
*Alleged PBs James Haffner and Ronald Loehrke were charged with civil disorder; Haffner was also charged with assaulting officers with a chemical spray.Alleged Proud Boys associate charged in Capitol riot after FBI identified him in an August photo with Sidney Powell: Investigators partly identified the man using a Facebook posting showing a photo with him and one of Trump’s lawyers during the Sturgis motorcycle rally, court documents say. by Spencer S. Hsu (December 3, 2021) The Washington Post.
*Joshua Pruitt was sentenced to 55 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. He appeared to have attempted to confront Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a Capitol hallway, allegedly with intent to commit harm, but did not commit violence during the riot. His lengthy sentence was due to his lengthy criminal record, including assaulting police.Proud Boys member who instigated Capitol mob, menaced Schumer sentenced to 55 months: Joshua Pruitt also faced down police in the Crypt and Visitors Center but did not assault officers by Tom Jackman & Rachel Weiner (August 29, 2022) The Washington Post.
*William Chrestman was also sentenced to 55 months in prison. He is considered a low-ranking member but who none-the-less took a lead role during the riot, including threatening police with a two-foot axe handle.Proud Boy who wielded ax handle and ‘fueled’ Jan. 6 riot sentenced: William Chrestman, initially unrepentant Proud Boys ‘tool’ and member of J6 Prison Choir, told court he was ‘sorry that police and people were injured and scarred by Jan. 6.’ by Spencer S. Hsu (January 12, 2024 at 6:12 p.m. EST) The Washington Post.
===Proud hazing: the circle jerks===
==From Proud Boys to Poor Boys==
In a 2020 presidential debate Donald Trump implicitly endorsed their violence by saying, "Proud Boys: Stand back and stand by."Only the Proud Boys can take pride in Trump’s debate hooliganism by Dana Milbank (September 29, 2020 at 8:57 p.m. PDT) The Washington Post.Trump’s Proud Boys “Stand By” Debate Moment Is Snowballing by Caleb Ecarma (Sept. 30, 2020) Vanity Fair In response, the media generally condemned Trump's remarks. On social media however, the concept to hijack the tag "Proud Boys" took off, resulting in various hashtags related to the Proud Boys getting hijacked by gay men,Gay men have taken over the Proud Boys Twitter hashtag, by Alaa Elassar (Oct. 4th, 2020) CNN calling themselves the "real Proud Boys". Notable participants include the official Twitter account of the Canadian Armed forces in the US.Our #ProudBoys Love is Love ❤️🇨🇦🏳️‍🌈 by @RoyalCanNavy (Oct. 4th, 2020) Twitter (archived from November 15, 2020). In response, the leader of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, called it "hysterical" and said that he "didn't care who people sleep with", appearing to miss the point of hijacking the name.
While calling out Donald Trump as a racist during a 2020 Presidential debate, the gaffe-prone Joe Biden erroneously — but appropriately — called them 'Poor Boys', but the name stuck:Even if Joe Biden misspoke about 'Proud Boys,' social media embraces 'poor boys' by Joshua Bote (Published 8:56 a.m. ET Oct. 23, 2020; Updated 10:46 a.m. ET Oct. 23, 2020) USA Today.
==="Enrique Tarrio did nothing wrong!"===
On January 27, 2021, the chicken-on-a-weathervane did a 180°. It was revealed that Tarrio had become a 'prolific' informant for local investigators and the FBI since 2012 after he was arrested "in a fraud case related to the relabeling and sale of stolen diabetes test kits", well before the start of his tenure as leader of the Poor Boys.Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was an FBI informant: Extremist leader repeatedly worked undercover for investigators after his arrest in 2012, former prosecutor and court files reveal by Aram Roston (27 Jan 2021 11.35 EST) Reuters via The Guardian. Tarrio entered into a plea deal, and "he cooperated with local and federal law enforcement, to aid in the prosecution of those running other, separate criminal enterprises, ranging from running marijuana grow houses in Miami to operating pharmaceutical fraud schemes." Tarrio's cooperation also included working undercover on cases involving anabolic steroids, wholesale prescription narcotics, and human smuggling. Tarrio admitted to Reuters that he would let police department know about Proud Boys' plans before rallies (which is sensible if one is planning a peaceful rally), but since Tarrio was already a police informant, it takes on a different character that the more violent elements within the group might not appreciate.
In the fallout from the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot and the revelation that Tarrio is a stoolie, cracks in the Proud Boys structure have formed, with four chapters disaffiliating from the organization: Alabama, Oklahoma, Missouri and Las Vegas.As fractures emerge among Proud Boys, experts warn of a shift toward extremist violence by Marissa J. Lang (Feb. 26, 2021 at 3:00 a.m. PST) The Washington Post. Despite this, Tarrio claimed not just that the organization was not splintering but that it could not splinter.
==FAFO: Fuck around and find out==
On January 6, 2021, a bunch of Proud Boys "fucked around" by playing a significant role in the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot."Arrested in Capitol Riot: Organized Militants and a Horde of Radicals" By Jennifer Valentino-DeVries, Grace Ashford, Denise Lu, Eleanor Lutz, Alex Leeds Matthews and Karen Yourish, New York Times, 2021 February 4Proud Boys conspired in multiple encrypted channels ahead of Jan. 6 riot, fearing criminal gang charges, U.S. alleges by Spencer S. Hsu & Rachel Weiner (March 18, 2021 at 5:08 p.m. PDT) The Washington Post. In the ensuing weeks, the Proud Boys "found out" the consequences of being an insurrectionist: about 20 members were charged with conspiracy and other crimes.
In February 2021, the Proud Boys were declared a terrorist organization by Canada, which allows police to seize assets of the group and its members.Canada declares the Proud Boys a terrorist group by Amanda Coletta (Feb. 3, 2021 at 9:43 a.m. PST) The Washington Post. Oopsie Gavin, you're still a fuckin' hoser! Furthering their legal difficulties, the Proud Boys' ex-lawyer, Jason Lee Van Dyke, who owns the PB trademark revoked the right of the PBs to use it because of their violent actions and alleging that Tarrio's merchandise was "substandard".Proud Boys Dealt Another Blow as Feds Crack Down: The Proud Boys’ former lawyer says he’s taking the name back. by Will Sommer (Updated Feb. 03, 2021 10:24AM ET; Published Feb. 03, 2021 4:57AM ET) The Daily Beast. The fight over the trademark could be entirely moot however because it could face cancellation due incorrect registration (the owner not being affiliated with the organization) or if the organization is declared illegal per se.Proud Boys™ – far-right group's trademark could face cancellation, legal experts claim World Trademark Review (archived from January 8, 2021).
After the riots, the Proud Boys enjoyed increasing scrutiny and elevated criminal charges from United States law enforcement as well. In court papers released in February 2021, prosecutors allege that, far from being mere participants, some of the Proud Boys coordinated and conspired certain elements of the riot, as well as obstructed and interfered with police officers protecting the Capitol."Did the Proud Boys Help Coordinate the Capitol Riot? Yes, U.S. Suggests" by Alan Feuer, New York Times, 2021 Feb 5 In early February 2021, five Proud Boys, including the self-described "sergeant-at-arms" for the Proud Boys Seattle chapter, Ethan Nordean (aka "Rufio Panman"), were arrested for their role in the riots on a joint conspiracy charge (with a footnote from the FBI anticipating more arrests in the future)."Five people associated with Proud Boys arrested for Capitol riot on conspiracy charges" by David Shortell, CNN, 2021 February 11"5 charged with conspiracy in Capitol riots; at least 2 associated with Proud Boys leaders" by Kevin Johnson and Kim Strong, USA Today, 2021 February 11 In addition, on February 3, 2021, prosecutors added "conspiracy to obstruct Congress" to Nick Ochs' charges,"Texas Man, Self-Proclaimed Leader of Honolulu Proud Boys Now Indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for Conspiracy to Obstruct Congress", press release, Department of Justice, US Attorney's Office, District of Columbia, 2021 February 3 adding to the list of other arrested Proud Boys (Dominic Pezzola and William Pepe) charged with conspiracy."Proud Boys Charged With Conspiracy in Capitol Riot" by Alan Feuer, New York Times, 2021 January 29
In the short period between Tarrio's January 4 arrest and the January 6 Capitol riot, Nordean had been elected leader of the PBs.Prosecutors fill in details of Proud Boys assault on Capitol: Members are alleged to have dressed "incognito" on Jan. 6, then fanned out to prevent law enforcement from identifying them en masse. by Kyle Cheney & Josh Gerstein (03/01/2021 05:18 PM EST; Updated: 03/01/2021 09:56 PM EST) Politico. It looks like the PBs will have to find another new leader due to the FBI's finding a passport in his house that did not belong to him and due to details uncovered about his communications with the PBs as to how to prevent the election certification on the election on the 6th.
In June 2021, a rough transcript of audio messages by various Proud Boys members found on Nordean's cell phone was released as part of court proceedings against Nordean. The audio clips reveal that the organization descended into chaos, confusion, and disfunction following the January 6 insurrection.Marshall Cohen, Proud Boys descended into dysfunction and finger-pointing as members were arrested in US Capitol riot, new messages show. CNN, 15 June 2021.
By April 9, 2021, the list of Proud Boys arrested for riot related crimes expanded to more than 20 in total (including two organizers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina). At least three Proud Boys (Dominic Pezzola, William Pepe, William Chrestman) faced charges of assaulting or threatening to assault federal law enforcement officers. Another Proud Boy (Christopher Worell) was charged with allegedly using pepper spray against police officers."Proud Boys Leaders in Four States Are Charged in Capitol Riot" by Adam Goldman and Alan Feuer, New York Times, 2021 March 17"Conspiracy Charges Bring Proud Boys' History Of Violence Into Spotlight" by Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 2021 April 9"Charges filed against Proud Boys member who allegedly pepper-sprayed police during Capitol insurrection" by Marshall Cohen It was noted by the New York Times that the Proud Boys, like many in the capitol riot, used their cell phones to document their criminal activities during the coup attempt on social media like Parler, providing plenty of self-owning footage for prosecutors to work with."Capitol Rioters Face the Consequences of Their Selfie Sabotage" by Elizabeth Williamson, New York Times, 2021 April 6
On December 22, 2021, Matthew Greene became the first PB to plead guilty, to obstructing Congress and conspiring to obstruct law enforcement, both felonies.Proud Boy pleads guilty to felony charge in Capitol riot by Rachel Weiner (December 22, 2021) The Washington Post. Greene is also cooperating with prosecutors.
The Proud Boys faced additional legal trouble when, on February 16, 2021, several members of Congress and the NAACP filed a lawsuit accusing the Proud Boys (and several other prominent riot participants) of violating the by conspiring to disenfranchise Black voters via their riot participation."10 more Congress members join lawsuit accusing Trump, Giuliani, Proud Boys, Oath Keepers of Capitol riot conspiracy" by Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2021 April 7Case 1:21-cv-00400, United States District Court For the District of Columbia, Filed 2021 February 16, archived at Documentcloud.org Adding to the Proud Boys' legal woes, on April 9, 2021, the one of the historic Black churches where the Proud Boys destroyed Black Lives Matter signs during a December 12, 2020 rally in Washington D.C., won a default judgement against the Proud Boys and Enrique Tarrio. The lawsuit had accused Tarrio and the Proud Boys of theft, defacement of private property, trespass, and intentional destruction of religious property."The Black Church That Could Bankrupt the Proud Boys" by Tess Owen and Greg Walters, Vice News, 2021 April 8"Proud Boys Lose by Default in Historic Black Church" by Adam Klasfeld, Law and Crime, 2021 April 9"METROPOLITAN AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH v. PROUD BOYS INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C., Complaint, Superior Court of the District of Columbia, dated 2021 January 4, archived at Lawyerscommittee.org
As part of an effort by various police departments to root out officers with extremist ties, a Fresno, California police officer and Proud Boy, Rick Fitzgerald, was fired for his activities. He had participated in a November 2020 pro-Trump rally that turned violent. He had claimed that he quit the Proud Boys after that incident, but in 2021 he was still urging people to join extremist groups (Three Percenters and ).California police fire officer who was a Proud Boy, saying they have no tolerance for 'hate groups' by Hannah Knowles (April 11, 2021 at 4:00 a.m. PDT) The Washington Post.Fresno police union slams investigation that led to firing of cop with Proud Boy ties by Carmen George (April 10, 2021 08:43 AM, Updated April 10, 2021 04:30 PM) The Fresno Bee.
The Proud Boys had often sought to downplay their extreme elements, with McInness downplaying the group as a "men's club" that simply meets "in a bar once a month" and drinks beer "just like everyone else"."Proud Boys founder denies inciting violence, responds to whether he feels responsible for group's behavior" by ABC News, 2018 December 12 Although it was clears from the beginning that McInness's description was bullshit, the Proud Boys' participation in the riots revealed, clearly and unequivocally to everyone, the group's true extremist colors."Proud Boys splintering after Capitol riot, revelations about leader. Will more radical factions emerge?" by Will Carless, USA Today, 2021 February 12
In March 2022, Tarrio was charged with conspiracy in connection with the 2021 Capitol insurrection attempt.Longtime Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio charged with conspiracy in Jan. 6 attack on Capitol by Spencer S. Hsu & Devlin Barrett (March 8, 2022) The Washington Post. He was quickly arrested and, in May 2022, denied pretrial release.Ex-Proud Boys leader to remain jailed until Capitol riot trial."
On June 6 2022, the Justice Department charged Tarrio and four other Proud Boy leaders with a far more serious tort than the conspiracy charges they were previously facing. At this date, the only other riot participants to receive this charge were several leaders of the Oath Keepers. "Proud Boys leader and top members charged with seditious conspiracy over January 6" by Hannah Rabinowitz and Katelyn Polantz, CNN, June 6 2022
In May 2023, Tarrio, Joseph Biggs, Nordean, and Rehl were found to be guilty of seditious conspiracy. The jury could not reach a verdict on Pezzola for seditious conspiracy, but found him guilty of other charges.Four Proud Boys members found guilty of seditious conspiracy in Jan. 6 trial: The jury remains split on whether a fifth member of the group is guilty of seditious conspiracy and will continue to deliberate. by Ryan J. Reilly (May 4, 2023) NBC News. In August 2023, Biggs was sentenced to 17 years in prison for this conviction, at the time the second longest sentence handed down to a Capitol insurrection participant."Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years in January 6 case" by Hannah Rabinowitz and Holmes Lybrand, CNN, 2023 August 31 On that same date, Rehl was sentenced to 15 years in prison."Former Proud Boys leaders Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl sentenced for Jan. 6 sedition" by Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 2023 August 31 Pezzola was sentenced to 10 years one day later."Proud Boy Dominic Pezzola who stormed US Capitol jailed for 10 years" by Bernd Debusmann Jr, BBC News, 2023 September 1 On the same day Pezzola was sentenced, Nordean was sentenced to 18 years in prison."Proud Boy convicted of helping spearhead Capitol attack ties Jan. 6 sentence record with 18 years" by Lindsay Whitehurst, AP News, 2023 September 1 In September 2023, Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison.Daniel Barnes and Ryan J. Reilly, Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio gets 22 years, longest Jan. 6 sentence yet. NBC News, 5 September 2023.
In 2025, the Proud Boys lost control of their trademarked name, any assets associated with it, and any future funds generated using the trademark due to their failure to pay the $2.8 million judgment won against them by the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church.Far-right group Proud Boys loses legal naming rights to Black church it vandalized: Church said extremist group never paid $2.8m court judgment over 2020 attack during Trump rally by Richard Luscombe (4 Feb 2025 10.11 EST) The Guardian."We Stand Up For Justice and Stand Against Hate", Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church
==Post-riot==
Following the 2021 Capitol riot, the national organization of the Proud Boys has supposedly disbanded, leaving local chapters to stir up shit. Proud Boys have been menacing school board meetings in opposing face mask mandates and joining anti-vaccine mandate protests during the COVID pandemic.[Three Schools Forced Into Lockdown After Anti-Masker Proud Boys Try to Infiltrate by Blake Montgomery (Sep. 04, 2021 5:38PM ET) Daily Beast.With Trump in the rearview mirror, Proud Boys offer muscle at rallies against vaccine mandates, masks by Will Carless (Published 5:00 a.m. ET Sept. 8, 2021; Updated 7:57 p.m. ET Sept. 8, 2021) USA Today.
Since 2022, PBs have been menacing drag events, particularly Drag Queen Story Hour.Proud Boys crashed Drag Queen Story Hour at a local library. It was part of a wider movement by Brandon Tensley (July 21, 2022) CNN.Protesters are bloodied and arrested at NYC Drag Story Hour: Protesters, some of whom appear to be Proud Boys members, clashed with counterprotesters at a Drag Story Hour hosted by N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James. by Matt Lavietes (March 20, 2023, 9:24 AM PDT) NBC News.
==Gallery==
File:Proud Boys in Pittsboro (2019 Oct) - 01.jpg|2019 Proud Boys at a Pittsboro, NC rally in 2019 with Confederate flags and Pinochet did nothing wrong t-shirt: Jay Robert Thaxton (left) and Jeremy BertinoNorth Carolina ‘Proud Boy’ arrested in DC was a Marine who may have Cherry Point ties by Calvin Shomaker (Published 4:32 p.m. ET Jan. 8, 2021; Updated 12:48 p.m. ET Jan. 10, 2021) The Daily News, Jacksonville, North Carolina.
File:46.ProudBoys.USSC.WDC.6January2021 (50810872007).jpg|Proud Boys at the march preceding the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot; Boy in the center also has a Three Percenters militia patch
File:Enrique Tarrio - International Chairman Proud Boys.jpg|Tarrio pretending that he runs a dignified organization
File:Joe Biggs and Ethan Nordean cropped.png|Proud Boys Joe Biggs and Ethan Nordean, both were charged at the 2021 riot
File:Proud Boy Jeremy Bertino wearing a Right Wing Death Squad (RWDS) patch in Raleigh (2020 Nov) (50658113573).jpg|Jeremy Bertino wearing Proud Boys insigna and a RWDS (right wing death squad) patch, he was charged in the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot
File:Zach Rehl - Leader of the Philly Proud Boys (50558087973).jpg|Zach Rehl, leader of the Philadelphia chapter giving the "OK" sign, was seen at outside the Capitol on January 6. By March 17, Rehl was arrested by the FBI and charged with conspiracy for participating in the riot.Insurrection at the Capitol: The man caught on video breaking a window at the Capitol with a riot shield is a member of the Proud Boys who goes by the alias "Spazzo." by Tess Owen & Mack Lamoureux (January 12, 2021, 3:38pm) Vice."Proud Boys Leaders in Four States Are Charged in Capitol Riot" by Adam Goldman and Alan Feuer, New York Times, 2021 March 17
==Proud Boys Britannia==
Proud Boys Britannia formerly known as Proud Boys UK is a largely irrelevant British-based spinoff, considered "an embarrassment" within the wider UK far-right movement due to its Fred Perry uniforms, rituals, and adolescent humour.CASE FILE: Proud Boys Britannia Hope Not Hate Originally founded as Proud Boys UK by former US Marine Paul Yates while living in Manchester, the group held a 2019 summer camp in Yorkshire attended by about 20 activists, turned up at a few Tommy Robinson demonstrations and engaged in a little light stickering before vanishing into even further obscurity for a couple of years.State of Hate 2020: Far Right Terror Goes Global Hope Not Hate During this wilderness period the group was most noteworthy for purchasing black-and-yellow Fred Perry polos for their North American brethren when the company, unhappy with the association, pulled them from the market there.Proud Boys in U.K. Buying Fred Perry Polo Shirts to Ship to U.S. by Jacob Jarvis (30 September 2020) Newsweek When the group later returned it had created a branch structure for its handful of activists. And although it now avoided public demonstrationsState of Hate 2022: On The March Again Hope Not Hate they occasionally meet up in small groups in pubs.State of Hate 2023: Rhetoric, Racism & Resentment Hope Not Hate It did, however, achieve some notoriety calling Labour Party leader Keir Starmer a "paedophile/serial killer protector" and pushing the claim, later popularised by Boris Johnson, that he was responsible for the failure to prosecute Far right celebrates after Johnson repeats ‘Savile slur’ in parliament by Mark Townsend (5 February 2022) The Observer As well as acting as a social club, the group posts childish and misogynist jokes and memes to the 2,500 subscribers to its Telegram channel.State of Hate 2024: Pessimism, Decline & the Rising Radical Right Hope Not Hate
==See also==
*Roman wreath
==External links==
*Proud Boys — Southern Poverty Law Center
*The Philadelphia Proud Boys: An Introduction — public information on members of the Philadelphia chapter
*Leaked: 2019 Chats Show Alan Swinney Collaborating with Proud Boys, American Guard, and Militias to Plan Violent Rallies — Unicorn Riot
*The Violent Rise of the Proud Boys — Renegade Cut
*Proud Boys Meet-Up: Stations of the Congregation
==Notes==
==References==
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