View source for Organization:Proud Boys

{{Short description|North American neo-fascist organization}}
{{pp-semi|small=yes}}
{{Infobox militant organization
| logo             = Proud_Boys_PB_and_Wreath_Logo.jpg
| caption          = 
| foundation       = {{start date and age|2016|9}}<ref name="CTC 2021">{{cite journal |author1-last=Kriner |author1-first=Matthew |author2-last=Lewis |author2-first=Jon |date=July–August 2021 |url=https://ctc.westpoint.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CTC-SENTINEL-062021.pdf|title=Pride & Prejudice: The Violent Evolution of the Proud Boys |url-status=live |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>
| other_name       = POYB{{cn|date=May 2023}}
| allegiance       = {{flagicon image|T45.png |size=23px}} Donald Trump<ref name="CTC 2021"/>
| founder          = Gavin McInnes<ref name="CTC 2021"/>
| motives          = {{Plainlist|
* Opposition against [[Social:Left-wing politics|left-wing]] and [[Philosophy:Progressivism|progressive]] groups<ref name="CTC 2021"/>
* Executing the Trump Make America Great Again Agenda<ref name="CTC 2021"/>
}}
| slogan = ''Stand back and stand by''<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/29/us/trump-proud-boys-biden.html | title=Proud Boys celebrate Trump's 'stand by' remark about them at the debate | work=The New York Times | date=September 30, 2020 | last1=Frenkel | first1=Sheera | last2=Karni | first2=Annie }}</ref>
| ideology         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Social:Anti-communism|Anti-communism]]<ref name="CTC 2021"/>
* Anti-feminism<ref name="CTC 2021"/>
* Anti-immigration<ref name="CTC 2021"/>
* Anti-LGBT rights<ref name="CTC 2021"/>
* Antisemitism<ref name="CTC 2021"/><ref>{{cite web |date=June 26, 2021 |title=Weekend Roundup: Wisconsin Proud Boys Detail Racist, Antisemitic, Homophobic Culture |url=https://www.wpr.org/weekend-roundup-wisconsin-proud-boys-detail-racist-antisemitic-homophobic-culture |url-status=live |publisher=Wisconsin Public Radio |website=www.wpr.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626170215/https://www.wpr.org/weekend-roundup-wisconsin-proud-boys-detail-racist-antisemitic-homophobic-culture |archive-date=June 26, 2021 |access-date=October 18, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Social:Authoritarianism|Authoritarianism]]<ref name="CTC 2021"/><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Marcotte |first=Amanda |date=October 18, 2021 |title=Tucker Carlson, Joe Rogan, and the Proud Boys: How the fragility of the male ego fuels the far-right |url=https://www.salon.com/2021/10/18/tucker-carlson-joe-rogan-and-the-proud-boys-how-the-fragility-of-the-male-ego-fuels-the-far-right/ |url-status=live |magazine=Salon.com |oclc=43916723 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018234912/https://www.salon.com/2021/10/18/tucker-carlson-joe-rogan-and-the-proud-boys-how-the-fragility-of-the-male-ego-fuels-the-far-right/ |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |access-date=October 18, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Social:Chauvinism|Chauvinism]]{{cn|date=May 2023}}
* [[Social:Crypto-fascism|Crypto-fascism]]<ref name="CTC 2021"/>
* [[Religion:Islamophobia|Islamophobia]]{{cn|date=May 2023}}
* [[Social:Trumpism|Trumpism]]<ref name="CTC 2021"/>
}}
| position         = [[Social:Far-right politics|Far-right]]<ref name="CTC 2021"/>
| name             = Proud Boys
| leader           = Enrique Tarrio<ref name="CTC 2021"/>
| area             = United States
| crimes           = {{plainlist|
*Harassment
*Picketing
*[[Social:Political violence|Political violence]]<ref name="CTC 2021"/>
*[[Social:Terrorism|Terrorism]]<ref name="CTC 2021"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Aiello|first=Rachel|date=2021-02-03|title=Canada adds Proud Boys to terror list|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canada-adds-proud-boys-to-terror-list-1.5293967|access-date=2021-02-03|website=CTVNews|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=3 February 2021|title=Government of Canada lists 13 new groups as terrorist entities and completes review of seven others|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2021/02/government-of-canada-lists-13-new-groups-as-terrorist-entities-and-completes-review-of-seven-others.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203182322/https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2021/02/government-of-canada-lists-13-new-groups-as-terrorist-entities-and-completes-review-of-seven-others.html|archive-date=3 February 2021|access-date=3 February 2021|website=Government of Canada}}</ref>
}}
| status           = Active
| allies           = Patriot Prayer<br>Oath Keepers<ref>{{Cite news|work=Tallahassee Democrat|title=Jan. 6 hearing highlights coordination by Florida Oath Keepers, Proud Boys leaders|url=https://eu.tallahassee.com/story/news/2022/07/12/january-6-hearing-florida-proud-boys-oath-keepers-trump-allies/10036118002/|date=July 12, 2022}}</ref><br>Three Percenters<ref>{{cite news|date=March 24, 2021|work=[[Software:USA Today|USA Today]]|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/03/24/capitol-attack-oath-keepers-proud-boys-three-percenters-coordinated/6980128002/|title=Oath Keeper planned with Proud Boys, Three Percenters before Capitol attack, prosecutors say}}</ref>
| designated_as_terror_group_by = {{flag|Canada}}<br />{{flag|New Zealand}}<ref name="auto4">{{cite web |url=https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2022-go2465 |title=Designation of Two Terrorist Entities |date=June 27, 2022 |publisher=New Zealand Government}}</ref>
| country          = United States (active)<ref name="CTC 2021"/><br />Canada (dissolved May 2021)<ref name="CTC 2021"/>
}}

The '''Proud Boys''' is an exclusively male <section begin="pb-lead-sentence"/><!-- please do not remove this section tag, as it will affect other articles-->North American [[Social:Far-right politics|far-right]] [[Social:Neo-fascism|neo-fascist]] organization that promotes and engages in [[Social:Political violence|political violence]].<ref name="CTC 2021"/><ref name=":17">Far-right:
*{{cite news|last1=MacFarquhar|first1=Neil|last2=Feuer|first2=Alan|last3=Baker|first3=Mike|last4=Frenkel|first4=Sheera|date=September 30, 2020|title=Far-Right Group That Trades in Political Violence Gets a Boost|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/us/proud-boys-trump.html|access-date=October 1, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002065508/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/us/proud-boys-trump.html|url-status=live}}
*{{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/|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=USA Today|archive-date=October 2, 2020|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/|url-status=live}}
Fascist:
*{{Cite news|last1=Barry|first1=Dan|last2=McIntire|first2=Mike|last3=Rosenberg|first3=Matthew|date=January 9, 2021|title='Our President Wants Us Here': The Mob That Stormed the Capitol|language=en-US|work={{wipe|The New York Times}}|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/us/capitol-rioters.html|access-date=January 10, 2021|issn=0362-4331|quote=Some were aligned with the neofascist Proud Boys ...|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109232819/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/us/capitol-rioters.html|url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last1=Bremner |first1=Jade |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 |work=The Independent |date=September 7, 2021|quote=The Proud Boys is a neo-fascist, pro-Trump, male group...}}
*{{cite news |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 |date=September 30, 2020|author1=Martin Belam|author2=Adam Gabbatt|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|page=2|isbn=9781452960340|quote=[...] groups such as the protofascist Proud Boys [...].}}
*{{cite journal|last=Kutner|first=Samantha|date=2020|title=Swiping Right: The Allure of Hyper Masculinity and Cryptofascism for Men Who Join the Proud Boys|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/resrep25259.pdf|journal=International Centre for Counter-Terrorism|pages=1|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.}}

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|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}}
Political violence:
*{{Citation |last1=Reid |first1=Shannon E. |title=Examining the Physical Manifestation of Alt-Right Gangs: From Online Trolling to Street Fighting |date=2020 |url=https://repub.eur.nl/pub/131237/10.1007_978-3-030-47214-6.pdf#page=120 |work=Gangs in the Era of Internet and Social Media |pages=105–134 |editor-last=Melde |editor-first=Chris |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-47214-6_6 |isbn=978-3-030-47214-6 |access-date=2022-04-25 |last2=Valasik |first2=Matthew |last3=Bagavathi |first3=Arunkumar |s2cid=226436096 |editor2-last=Weerman |editor2-first=Frank}}
*{{cite news |title=Proud Boys |url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys |newspaper=Southern Poverty Law Center |access-date=October 16, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016093217/https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys |url-status=live }}
*{{cite news|last1=Lowry|first1=Rich|date=October 19, 2018|title=The Poisonous Allure of Right-Wing Violence|work=National Review|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/10/gavin-mcinnes-proud-boys-poisonous-violence/|url-status=live|access-date=November 13, 2018|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|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><ref name=":18">{{Cite web |title=Proud Boys |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Proud-Boys |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |language=en}}</ref><section end="pb-lead-sentence"/> The group's leaders have been convicted of violently opposing the US government, including the constitutionally prescribed transfer of presidential power.<ref>{{cite news |author=Reilly |first=Ryan J. |date=May 4, 2023 |title=Four Proud Boys members found guilty of seditious conspiracy in Jan. 6 trial |work=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/jury-reaches-verdict-proud-boys-seditious-conspiracy-trial-rcna81129}}</ref> It has been called a street gang<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ward |first1=Ian |title=Jan. 6 Was Just the Beginning for the Proud Boys |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/09/23/proud-boys-extremism-book-00057703 |website=Politico |date=September 23, 2022 |access-date=14 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Campbell |first1=Andy |title=We Are Proud Boys: How a Right-Wing Street Gang Ushered in a New Era of American Extremism |date=February 7, 2022 |publisher=Hachette |isbn=9780306827464 |url=https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/andy-b-campbell/we-are-proud-boys/9780306827464/ |access-date=14 October 2022}}</ref> and was designated as a [[Social:Terrorism|terrorist]] group in {{wipe|Canada}}<ref name=":02" /><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2021-01-25|title=By unanimous consent, the #HoC adopted a motion regarding the proliferation of white supremacist and hate groups and the designation of the Proud Boys as a terrorist entity.|url=https://twitter.com/hocchamber/status/1353799195719852032|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125203231/https://twitter.com/HoCChamber/status/1353799195719852032|archive-date=January 25, 2021|access-date=|website=via [[Company:Twitter|Twitter]]}}</ref> and [[Earth:New Zealand|New Zealand]].<ref name="auto4" /> The Proud Boys are known for their opposition to [[Social:Left-wing politics|left-wing]] and [[Philosophy:Progressivism|progressive]] groups and for their support for former U.S. President Donald Trump.<ref name="CTC 2021" /><ref name=":18" />

The group originated in the far-right ''Taki's Magazine'' in 2016 under the leadership of [[Company:Vice Media|Vice Media]] co-founder and former commentator Gavin McInnes,<ref name="CTC 2021"/> taking its name from the song "Proud of Your Boy" from the 2011 Disney musical ''Aladdin''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coaston |first1=Jane |date=October 15, 2018 |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 |website=Vox |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017001652/https://www.vox.com/2018/10/15/17978358/proud-boys-gavin-mcinnes-manhattan-gop-violence |archive-date=October 17, 2018 |access-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref> Although the Proud Boys initially emerged as part of the [[Religion:Alt-right|alt-right]],<ref name="CTC 2021"/> McInnes distanced himself from this movement in early 2017, saying the Proud Boys were [[Social:Alt-lite|alt-lite]] while the alt-right's focus was on race.<ref name="Marantz" />  Donald Trump's comment, "Proud Boys, stand back and stand by," during the October 2020 presidential debate, was credited with greatly increasing interest and recruitment.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Dickson |first1=E. J. |title=The Rise and Fall of the Proud Boys |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/proud-boys-far-right-group-1183966/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=25 January 2023 |date=15 June 2021}}</ref> After the remark caused an outcry for its seeming endorsement, Trump condemned the Proud Boys while saying he did not "know much about" them.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/2/trump-denounces-all-white-supremacists-including-proud-boys | title=Trump denounces 'all white supremacists' including Proud Boys }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54381500 | title=Trump condemns all white supremacists after Proud Boys row | work=BBC News | date=October 2, 2020 }}</ref>

According to the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, the group believes men and Western culture are [[Social:Siege mentality|under siege]], using "Western chauvinism" as euphemism for the [[Religion:White genocide conspiracy theory|White genocide conspiracy theory]].<ref name="auto1">{{cite journal|last=Kutner|first=Samantha|date=2020|title=Swiping Right: The Allure of Hyper Masculinity and Cryptofascism for Men Who Join the Proud Boys|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/resrep25259.pdf|journal=International Centre for Counter-Terrorism|pages=1|jstor=resrep25259}}</ref> Members have participated in overtly racist events and events centered around fascist, anti-left, and anti-socialist violence.<ref name="auto1"/> The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has called the group an "alt-right fight club" and a [[Social:Hate group|hate group]] that uses rhetorical devices to obscure its motives.<ref name=":18" /><ref name="SPLC2"/><ref name="Carter">{{cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/seattle-police-wary-of-may-day-violence-between-pro-and-anti-trump-groups/|title=Seattle police wary of May Day violence between pro- and anti-Trump groups|last=Carter|first=Mike|work=Seattle Times|date=May 1, 2017|access-date=November 13, 2018|archive-date=October 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030065212/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/seattle-police-wary-of-may-day-violence-between-pro-and-anti-trump-groups/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys|title=Proud Boys|website=Southern Poverty Law Center|access-date=March 18, 2018|archive-date=October 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016093217/https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys|url-status=live}}</ref> The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) described the Proud Boys as "extremist conservative" and "[[Social:Alt-lite|alt lite]]", "overtly Islamophobic and misogynistic", "transphobic and anti-immigration", "all too willing to embrace racists, antisemites and bigots of all kinds", and notes the group's promotion and use of violence as a core tactic.<ref>ADL:
*{{cite web|title=Proud Boys|url=https://www.adl.org/proudboys|publisher=Anti-Defamation League|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=October 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007235208/https://www.adl.org/proudboys|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/proud-boys|title=Proud Boys|publisher=Anti-Defamation League|access-date=August 3, 2019|archive-date=August 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822004848/https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/proud-boys|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.adl.org/blog/proud-boys-bigotry-is-on-full-display|title=Proud Boys' Bigotry is on Full Display|publisher=Anti-Defamation League|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210759/https://www.adl.org/blog/proud-boys-bigotry-is-on-full-display|url-status=live}}</ref>

The group has been banned from numerous social networks, including [[Company:Facebook|Facebook]], [[Software:Instagram|Instagram]], [[Company:Twitter|Twitter]],<ref name="CTC 2021"/><ref>{{Cite news|last=Rivera|first=Pedro|date=May 8, 2019|title=Who Are the Proud Boys and Why Are They Banned from Social Media Platforms?|work=Fox40 Sacramento|url=https://fox40.com/news/local-news/who-are-the-proud-boys-and-why-are-they-banned-from-social-media-platforms/|url-status=live|access-date=|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210816/https://fox40.com/news/local-news/who-are-the-proud-boys-and-why-are-they-banned-from-social-media-platforms/}}</ref> and [[Company:YouTube|YouTube]].<ref name=":4" /> In February 2021, the United States Justice Department announced the indictment of members for conspiracy related to the 2021 United States Capitol attack, and the Canadian arm of the group folded after being designated a terrorist organization.<ref name="CTC 2021"/><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|last=Aiello|first=Rachel|date=2021-02-03|title=Canada adds Proud Boys to terror list|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canada-adds-proud-boys-to-terror-list-1.5293967|access-date=2021-02-03|website=CTVNews|language=en|archive-date=February 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206214229/https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canada-adds-proud-boys-to-terror-list-bringing-range-of-legal-financial-implications-1.5293967|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=3 February 2021|title=Government of Canada lists 13 new groups as terrorist entities and completes review of seven others|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2021/02/government-of-canada-lists-13-new-groups-as-terrorist-entities-and-completes-review-of-seven-others.html|url-status=live|website=www.canada.ca|location=[[Place:Ottawa|Ottawa]]|publisher=Government of Canada|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203182322/https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2021/02/government-of-canada-lists-13-new-groups-as-terrorist-entities-and-completes-review-of-seven-others.html|archive-date=3 February 2021|access-date=3 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/03/politics/proud-boys-indicted-capitol-riot/index.html|title=New charges allege Proud Boys prepped for Capitol insurrection|author=Evan Perez, Katelyn Polantz and Mallory Simon|website=CNN|date=February 3, 2021 |access-date=February 5, 2021|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210802/https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/03/politics/proud-boys-indicted-capitol-riot/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/03/us/politics/capitol-riot-charges.html|title=Justice Department Unveils Further Charges in Capitol Riot|first1=Katie|last1=Benner|first2=Alan|last2=Feuer|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 4, 2021|access-date=February 4, 2021|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210858/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/03/us/politics/capitol-riot-charges.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== History and organization ==
Gavin McInnes co-founded ''Vice'' magazine in 1994, but was pushed out in 2008 due to "creative differences". After leaving, he began "doggedly hacking a jagged but unrelenting path to the far-right fringes of American culture", according to a 2017 profile in the Canadian ''Globe and Mail''.<ref name="globeandmail"/> The Proud Boys organization was launched in September 2016, on the website of ''Taki's Magazine'', a far-right publication for which white nationalist Richard B. Spencer had once served as executive editor.<ref name=VoxMetro/> It existed informally before then as a group centered around McInnes, and the first gathering of the Brooklyn chapter in July 2016 resulted in a brawl in the bar where they met.<ref name="Disser 2016">{{cite web|last=Disser|first=Nicole|date=July 28, 2016|title=Gavin McInnes and his Proud Boys want to make white men great again|url=https://bedfordandbowery.com/2016/07/gavin-mcinnes-and-his-proud-boys-want-to-make-white-men-great-again/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209020443/https://bedfordandbowery.com/2016/07/gavin-mcinnes-and-his-proud-boys-want-to-make-white-men-great-again/|archive-date=February 9, 2019|website=Bedford + Bowery|publisher=New York}}</ref> 

The name is derived from the song "Proud of Your Boy" originally created for Disney's 1992 film ''Aladdin'' but left out following story changes in production, and later featured in the 2011 musical adaptation. In the song, the character Aladdin apologizes to his mother for being a bad son and promises to make her proud. McInnes interprets it as Aladdin apologizing for being a boy. He first heard it while attending his daughter's school music recital. The song's "fake, humble, and self-serving" lyrics became a running theme on his podcast. McInnes said it was the most annoying song in the world but that he could not get enough of it.<ref name="Disser 2016" />

The organization has been described as a [[Social:Hate group|hate group]] by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)<ref name="SPLC">{{cite news |title=Proud Boys |url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys |newspaper=Southern Poverty Law Center |access-date=October 16, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016093217/https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys |url-status=live }}</ref> and NPR's ''The Takeaway''.<ref name="Takeaway">{{cite news |title=Gavin McInnes and the Proud Boys: Misogyny, Authoritarianism, and the Rise of Multiracial White Supremacy |url=https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/gavin-mcinnes-and-proud-boys-misogyny-authoritarianism-and-rise-multiracial-white-supremacy |work=The Takeaway: WNYC Studios |date=October 16, 2018 |language=en |access-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-date=November 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121063846/https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/gavin-mcinnes-and-proud-boys-misogyny-authoritarianism-and-rise-multiracial-white-supremacy |url-status=live }}</ref> Criminologists have pointed to the Proud Boys initiation ceremonies, involvement in criminal and violent behavior, identifying apparel and tattoos, and other characteristics as consistent with street gangs.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Reid |first1=Shannon E. |last2=Valasik |first2=Matthew |title=Alt-Right Gangs: A Hazy Shade of White |date=22 September 2020 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=9780520300453 |pages=24–29 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x-XwDwAAQBAJ |access-date=21 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Campbell |first1=Andy |title=We Are Proud Boys How a Right-Wing Street Gang Ushered in a New Era of American Extremism |date=20 September 2022 |publisher=Hachette |isbn=9780306827488 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JCRdEAAAQBAJ}}</ref> Spencer, McInnes and the Proud Boys have been described as hipster racists by ''Vox''<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hemmer |first1=Nicole |title=Tweedy racists and "ironic" anti-Semites: the alt-right fits a historical pattern |url=https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2016/12/2/13814728/alt-right-spencer-irony-racism-punks-skinheads |work=[[Company:Vox Media|Vox]] |date=December 2, 2016 |access-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-date=February 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205070424/https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2016/12/2/13814728/alt-right-spencer-irony-racism-punks-skinheads |url-status=live }}</ref> and Media Matters for America.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Theel |first1=Shauna |title=Meet The Hipster Racist Fox News Guest Attacking Neil deGrasse Tyson |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2014/06/05/meet-the-hipster-racist-fox-news-guest-attackin/199617 |publisher=Media Matters for America |date=June 5, 2014 |language=en |access-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017001755/https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2014/06/05/meet-the-hipster-racist-fox-news-guest-attackin/199617 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Osnos |first=Evan |url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/02/06/trump-supporters-at-the-deploraball |title=Trump Supporters at the DeploraBall |magazine=The New Yorker |date=February 6, 2017 |access-date=March 6, 2017 |archive-date=March 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306140605/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/02/06/trump-supporters-at-the-deploraball |url-status=live }}</ref> McInnes says victim mentality of women and other historically oppressed groups is unhealthy, arguing that "[t]here is an incentive to be a victim. It is cool to be a victim." He sees white men and Western culture as "under siege" and described criticism of his ideas as [[Philosophy:Victim blaming|victim blaming]].<ref name=globeandmail/> According to the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, their views have elements of the [[Religion:White genocide conspiracy theory|white genocide conspiracy theory]].<ref name=NewRepublic>{{cite magazine |last1=Moser |first1=Bob |title=Why the "Alt-Lite" Celebrated the Las Vegas Massacre |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/145192/alt-lite-celebrated-las-vegas-massacre |magazine=The New Republic |date=October 6, 2017 |access-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124162450/https://newrepublic.com/article/145192/alt-lite-celebrated-las-vegas-massacre |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=GuardianSurvey>{{cite news |last1=Walters |first1=Joanna |title=Neo-Nazis, white nationalists, and internet trolls: who's who in the far right |work=The Guardian |date=August 17, 2017 |language=en |access-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-date=November 23, 2018 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/17/charlottesville-alt-right-neo-nazis-white-nationalists |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123075922/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/17/charlottesville-alt-right-neo-nazis-white-nationalists |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the ADL, the group is part of the [[Social:Alt-lite|alt-lite]] and is "overtly Islamophobic".<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=Proud Boys|url=https://www.adl.org/proudboys|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007235208/https://www.adl.org/proudboys|archive-date=October 7, 2020|access-date=October 8, 2020|website=www.adl.org|publisher=Anti-Defamation League}}</ref> The ADL reports that "[i]deologically, members subscribe to a scattershot array of libertarian and nationalist tropes, referring to themselves as anti-communist and anti-political correctness, but in favor of free speech and free markets."<ref name="auto"/> In October 2019, members of the Denver chapter of the Proud Boys marched with members of the Patriot Front and former members of the neo-Nazi [[Social:Traditionalist Worker Party|Traditionalist Worker Party]].<ref name="auto" /> According to the ADL, "[t]hese relationships show the Proud Boys to be less a pro-western drinking club and more an extreme, right-wing gang."<ref name="auto"/> In early 2017, McInnes began to distance himself from the [[Religion:Alt-right|alt-right]], saying their focus is race and his focus is what he calls "Western values". This rebranding effort intensified after the Unite the Right Rally.<ref name="Marantz">{{cite magazine |last1=Marantz |first1=Andrew |title=The Alt-Right Branding War Has Torn the Movement in Two |url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-alt-right-branding-war-has-torn-the-movement-in-two/ |magazine=The New Yorker |date=July 6, 2017 |access-date=August 16, 2017 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810051502/http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-alt-right-branding-war-has-torn-the-movement-in-two |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Woodhouse">{{cite news|last1=Woodhouse|first1=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><ref>{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Jon |title=Gavin McInnes Wants You to Know He's Totally Not a White Supremacist |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2017/02/15/gavin-mcinnes-wants-you-to-know-hes-totally-not-a-white-supremacist/ |work=Village Voice |date=February 15, 2017 |access-date=October 22, 2018 |archive-date=October 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019220707/https://www.villagevoice.com/2017/02/15/gavin-mcinnes-wants-you-to-know-hes-totally-not-a-white-supremacist/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, McInnes said the Proud Boys were part of the "new right".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chung |first1=Frank |title=Right-wing activist heading to Australia |url=https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/proud-boys-founder-gavin-mcinnes-heading-to-austra/3498904/ |work=Northern Star |date=August 21, 2018 |language=en |access-date=October 23, 2018 |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023080056/https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/proud-boys-founder-gavin-mcinnes-heading-to-austra/3498904/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The organization glorifies [[Social:Political violence|political violence]] against antifa<ref name="VoxMetro"/> and leftists, re-enacting political assassinations, and wearing shirts that praise [[Biography:Augusto Pinochet|Augusto Pinochet]]'s murders of leftists.{{r|SPLC}}<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 name="SPLC2"/> In April 2016, McInnes, who believes violence is "a really effective way to solve problems", has said: "I want violence, I want punching in the face. I'm disappointed in Trump supporters for not punching enough."<ref name="Beast2018"/><ref name="VoxMetro"/> In August 2017, he further stated that "[w]e don't start fights [...] but we will finish them."<ref>{{cite news|last=Feuer|first=Alan|date=October 16, 2018|title=Proud Boys Founder: How He Went From Brooklyn Hipster to Far-Right Provocateur|language=en|work={{wipe|The New York Times}}|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/16/nyregion/proud-boys-gavin-mcinnes.html|url-status=live|archive-date=October 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023200233/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/16/nyregion/proud-boys-gavin-mcinnes.html}}</ref> Heidi Beirich, the Intelligence Project director for the SPLC, said that this form of intentional aggression was not common among far-right groups in the past. She further said the far-right's claim that "[w]e're going to show up and we're intending to get in fights" was new.<ref name="nyt"/> In 2018, it was reported, based on an internal memo of the Sheriff's Office in Clark County, {{wipe|Washington (state)}}, that the FBI had classified the Proud Boys as an extremist group with ties to white nationalism.<ref name="Gdn20181119">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/19/proud-boys-fbi-classification-extremist-group-white-nationalism-report?CMP=share_btn_tw|date=November 19, 2018|website={{wipe|The Guardian}}|last=Wilson|first=Jason|title=FBI now classifies far-right Proud Boys as 'extremist group', documents say|access-date=November 19, 2018|archive-date=November 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120055149/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/19/proud-boys-fbi-classification-extremist-group-white-nationalism-report?CMP=share_btn_tw|url-status=live}}</ref> Two weeks later, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Oregon office clarified that the FBI did not mean to designate the entire group, only a number of members of the group, ascribing the error to miscommunication.<ref name="oregonian">{{cite web|last=Bernstein|first=Maxine|date=December 4, 2018|title=Head of Oregon's FBI: Bureau doesn't designate Proud Boys as extremist group|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2018/12/head-of-oregons-fbi-bureau-doesnt-designate-proud-boys-as-extremist-group.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206102342/https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2018/12/head-of-oregons-fbi-bureau-doesnt-designate-proud-boys-as-extremist-group.html|archive-date=December 6, 2018|access-date=December 8, 2018|website=The Oregonian|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{cite news|last1=McMillan|first1=Keith|last2=Rosenberg|first2=Eli|date=December 7, 2018|title=The FBI says the Proud Boys are not an extremist group after all|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/12/08/fbi-says-proud-boys-are-not-an-extremist-group-after-all/|url-status=live|access-date=December 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208054347/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/12/08/fbi-says-proud-boys-are-not-an-extremist-group-after-all/|archive-date=December 8, 2018}}</ref><ref name="barnes"/> During the conference, the FBI recommended referring to classifications about the group by the SPLC and other outside agencies.<ref name="oregonian"/>

The organization is opposed to feminism and promotes gender stereotypes in which women are subservient to men.<ref name="globeandmail"/><ref name="VoxMetro"/> The organization has a female-member-only auxiliary wing named "Proud Boys' Girls" that supports the same ideology.<ref name="nbc20181121">{{cite news|last1=Zadrozny|first1=Brandy|last2=Siemaszko|first2=Corky|date=November 20, 2018|title=The Boys and Girls of white nationalism: 'Proud' groups labeled 'extremist' in newly revealed FBI files|language=en-US|work=NBC News|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/boy-girls-white-nationalism-proud-groups-labeled-extremist-newly-revealed-n938546|url-status=live|access-date=November 21, 2018|archive-date=November 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121000758/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/boy-girls-white-nationalism-proud-groups-labeled-extremist-newly-revealed-n938546}}</ref> The ADL states that the Proud Boys are an "extremist conservative group".<ref name="ADL">{{cite web|url=https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/proud-boys|title=Proud Boys|publisher=Anti-Defamation League|access-date=August 3, 2019|archive-date=August 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822004848/https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/proud-boys|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to the ADL, McInnes and the Proud Boys are misogynistic, depicting women as "lazy" and "less ambitious" than men, and "venerat[] the housewife".<ref name="ADL2">{{cite web|title=Proud Boys|url=https://www.adl.org/proudboys|publisher=Anti-Defamation League|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=October 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007235208/https://www.adl.org/proudboys|url-status=live}}</ref> McInnes has called for "enforced monogamy" and criticized [[Social:Feminism|feminism]] as "a cancer".<ref name="ADL2"/> Some men who are not white, including Enrique Tarrio, the group's chairman and the Florida State Director of Latinos for Trump,<ref name="Sidner 2020">{{cite news |first=Sara |last=Sidner |title=Leader of Proud Boys also leads grassroots group Latinos for Trump |newspaper=CNN |date=October 1, 2020 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/01/politics/proud-boys-leader-latinos-for-trump/index.html |archive-date=October 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002004843/https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/01/politics/proud-boys-leader-latinos-for-trump/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> have joined the Proud Boys, drawn by the organization's [[Social:Men's rights movement|advocacy for men]], anti-immigrant stance, and embrace of violence.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Arun |title=Why Young Men of Color Are Joining White-Supremacist Groups |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-young-men-of-color-are-joining-white-supremacist-groups |work=The Daily Beast |date=September 4, 2018 |language=en |access-date=October 21, 2018 |archive-date=October 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021180612/https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-young-men-of-color-are-joining-white-supremacist-groups |url-status=live }}</ref> The Proud Boys claim to condemn racism, with Tarrio stating that the group has "longstanding regulations prohibiting racist, white supremacist or violent activity". However, the ADL has deemed the group as having antisemitic, Islamophobic and racist views, with the group known to threaten, intimidate or violently assault anti-racism protesters.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 2, 2020|title=Explained: Who are the Proud Boys, the far-right group that Donald Trump mentioned in the presidential debate?|work=Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/proud-boys-donald-trump-far-right-organisation-us-protests-6663249/|url-status=live|access-date=October 4, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003135405/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/proud-boys-donald-trump-far-right-organisation-us-protests-6663249/}}</ref> The group has claimed there is an "inherent superiority of the West", going to great lengths to mask members' connections to white supremacy.<ref>{{cite news|last=Boryga|first=Andrew|date=October 3, 2020|title=Proud Boys: A small, incendiary group chummy with Florida and its political figures|work=Sun-Sentinel|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-ne-proud-boys-florida-connection-20201003-7hf65qpyzbexleedaxwzg7ceu4-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=October 4, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003183226/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-ne-proud-boys-florida-connection-20201003-7hf65qpyzbexleedaxwzg7ceu4-story.html}}</ref> The ADL states that the Proud Boys' "extreme, provocative tactics—coupled with overt or implicit racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and misogyny and the fact that the group is so decentralized, inconsistent, and spread out—suggest the group should be a significant cause for concern".<ref name="ADL"/>

The Proud Boys have been banned by social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.<ref name=":4">{{cite news|last=Wendling|first=Mike|date=September 30, 2020|title=Who are Proud Boys and antifa?|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54352635|url-status=live|access-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001052857/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54352635|archive-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref> In August 2018, [[Company:Twitter|Twitter]] terminated the official account for the group along with McInnes' account under its policy prohibiting violent extremist groups. At the time, the group's profile photo showed a member punching a counter-protester.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Roettgers|first1=Janko|date=August 10, 2018|title=Twitter Shuts Down Accounts of Vice Co-Founder Gavin McInnes, Proud Boys Ahead of 'Unite the Right' Rally|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/twitter-shuts-down-accounts-of-vice-co-founder-gavin-mcinnes-proud-boys-ahead-of-unite-the-right-rally-1202902397/|access-date=October 22, 2018|archive-date=October 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023193836/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/twitter-shuts-down-accounts-of-vice-co-founder-gavin-mcinnes-proud-boys-ahead-of-unite-the-right-rally-1202902397/|url-status=live}}</ref> Facebook and Instagram banned the group and McInnes in October 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 31, 2018|title=Far-right group Proud Boys banned from Facebook, Instagram|work=CBC|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/proud-boys-facebook-instagram-1.4886514|url-status=live|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001022145/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/proud-boys-facebook-instagram-1.4886514}}</ref> That same year, YouTube banned the Proud Boys founder for copyright violation in December 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Solsman|first=Joan E.|date=December 10, 2018|title=YouTube bans Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes, latest tech giant to kick him off|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/youtube-bans-proud-boys-founder-gavin-mcinnes-latest-tech-giant-to-kick-him-off/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907144838/https://www.cnet.com/news/youtube-bans-proud-boys-founder-gavin-mcinnes-latest-tech-giant-to-kick-him-off/|archive-date=September 7, 2020|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=CNET|language=en}}</ref> On June 16, 2020, Facebook announced it had removed 358 accounts from its platform and 172 from Instagram that held ties to the organization.<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>

=== Membership and doctrine ===
[[File:Patriot Prayer IMG 4630 (36415342941).jpg|thumb|Proud Boys stand next to Joey Gibson at an August 2017 rally in Seattle]]

The total number of Proud Boys members is unknown. Reports estimate membership between several hundred up to 6,000.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How Hate Goes 'Mainstream': Gavin McInnes and the Proud Boys|url=https://rewirenewsgroup.com/article/2017/08/28/hate-goes-mainstream-gavin-mcinnes-proud-boys/|access-date=November 18, 2020|website=Rewire News Group|date=August 28, 2017 |language=en|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116220652/https://rewirenewsgroup.com/article/2017/08/28/hate-goes-mainstream-gavin-mcinnes-proud-boys/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Greenspan|first=Rachel E.|title=What to know about the Proud Boys, the extremist group that Trump name-checked during the first presidential debate|url=https://www.insider.com/proud-boys-trump-debate-who-what-comments-hate-group-2020-9|access-date=November 18, 2020|website=Insider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Proud Boys|url=https://www.adl.org/proudboys|access-date=November 18, 2020|website=Anti-Defamation League|language=en|archive-date=October 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007235208/https://www.adl.org/proudboys|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2018, the Proud Boys L.A. branch had 160 members and up to 300 pending applicants, according to the unidentified Proud Boys L.A. president.<ref name="Cosgrove 2018"/>

Political ideologies and positions that the Proud Boys adhere to include [[Social:Anti-communism|anti-communism]], anti-feminism, anti-immigration, anti-LGBT rights, antisemitism, [[Social:Authoritarianism|authoritarianism]], [[Social:Chauvinism|chauvinism]], [[Social:Crypto-fascism|crypto-fascism]], [[Religion:Islamophobia|Islamophobia]], and [[Social:Trumpism|Trumpism]].<ref name="CTC 2021" /><ref name=":17" /><ref name=":02" /> Individual members have also expressed support for [[Social:QAnon|QAnon]] and [[Social:White supremacy|white supremacy]].<ref name="PBQAnon">{{cite news|last=Sommer|first=Will|title=Qanon-Believing Proud Boy Accused of Murdering 'Lizard' Brother With Sword|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/proud-boy-member-accused-of-murdering-his-brother-with-a-sword-4|accessdate=6 January 2022|publisher=The Daily Beast|date=January 9, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Wilson 2020">{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Jason|date=October 1, 2020|title=Proud Boys are a dangerous 'white supremacist' group say US agencies|newspaper=The Guardian|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/proud-boys-white-supremacist-group-law-enforcement-agencies|url-status=live|access-date=October 6, 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|archive-date=October 5, 2020}}</ref> According to David Neiwert, the Proud Boys recruit with emphasis on [[Social:Right-wing politics|right-wing]] 15-/30-year-old white males who come primarily from suburbs and exurbs.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Neiwert|first=David|date=October 16, 2018|title=Gavin McInnes and the Proud Boys: Misogyny, Authoritarianism, and the Rise of Multiracial White Supremacy|url=https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/gavin-mcinnes-and-proud-boys-misogyny-authoritarianism-and-rise-multiracial-white-supremacy|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001073618/https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/gavin-mcinnes-and-proud-boys-misogyny-authoritarianism-and-rise-multiracial-white-supremacy|archive-date=October 1, 2020|website=The Takeaway|publisher=WNYC Studios|format=Podcast}}</ref>

The Proud Boys say they have an initiation process that has four stages and includes hazing. The first stage is a loyalty oath, on the order of "I'm a proud Western chauvinist, I refuse to apologize for creating the modern world"; the second is getting punched until the person recites pop culture trivia, such as the names of five breakfast cereals; the third is getting a tattoo and agreeing to not masturbate; and the fourth is getting into a major fight "for the cause".<ref name="SPLC2">{{cite web|first=Bill|last=Morlin|url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/04/25/new-alt-right-fight-club-ready-street-violence|title=New Alt-Right "Fight Club" Ready for Street Violence|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center|date=April 25, 2017|access-date=June 28, 2017|archive-date=June 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629083155/https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/04/25/new-alt-right-fight-club-ready-street-violence|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Wired1">Ellis, Emma Grey (May 22, 2017). [https://www.wired.com/2017/05/field-guide-far-right/ "Your Handy Field Guide to the Many Factions of the Far Right, from the Proud Boys to Identity Evropa"]. ''Wired''. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831222550/https://www.wired.com/2017/05/field-guide-far-right/|date=August 31, 2017}}. Retrieved October 16, 2018.</ref><ref name="torontosun.com">[http://www.torontosun.com/2017/07/06/proud-boys-willing-to-go-places-and-disrupt-things Proud Boys: 'Willing to go places and disrupt things'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901024502/http://www.torontosun.com/2017/07/06/proud-boys-willing-to-go-places-and-disrupt-things |date=September 1, 2017 }} ''Toronto Sun'' (July 6, 2017)</ref><ref name=gilmour>{{Cite news|last=Gilmour|first=David|url=https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/proud-boys/|title=Meet the Proud Boys, the pro-men, anti-masturbation enemy of 'antifa'|date=September 7, 2017|work=The Daily Dot|access-date=September 14, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=September 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914220434/https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/proud-boys/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Hall">{{cite news|last1=Hall|first1=Alexandra|title=Controversial Proud Boys Embrace 'Western Values,' Reject Feminism And Political Correctness|url=https://www.wpr.org/controversial-proud-boys-embrace-western-values-reject-feminism-and-political-correctness|access-date=August 16, 2018|publisher=Wisconsin Public Radio|date=November 26, 2017|archive-date=August 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815200714/https://www.wpr.org/controversial-proud-boys-embrace-western-values-reject-feminism-and-political-correctness|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=abc2018>(December 12, 2018) [https://abcnews.go.com/US/proud-boys-founder-denies-inciting-violence-responds-feels/story?id=59758209 "Proud Boys founder denies inciting violence, responds to whether he feels responsible for group's behavior"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213222944/https://abcnews.go.com/US/proud-boys-founder-denies-inciting-violence-responds-feels/story?id=59758209 |date=December 13, 2018 }} ABC News</ref> The masturbation policy was later modified to read: "no heterosexual brother of the Fraternity shall masturbate more than one time in any calendar month" and "all members shall abstain from pornography".<ref name=":8"/>

''The Daily Beast'' reported in November 2018 that the Proud Boys amended their rules to prohibit cargo shorts and the use of opioids and crystal meth. However, the same article mentioned that no restrictions were placed on [[Biology:Cocaine|cocaine]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|last=Sommer|first=Will|date=November 27, 2018|title=New Proud Boy Rules: Less Fighting, Less Wanking|language=en|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/new-proud-boy-rules-less-fighting-less-wanking|url-status=live|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001042305/https://www.thedailybeast.com/new-proud-boy-rules-less-fighting-less-wanking|archive-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref>

==== Gender and sexuality ====
Women and trans men are not allowed to join the Proud Boys,<ref name="VoxMetro" /> and the unnamed president of Proud Boys L.A. told the ''{{wipe|Los Angeles Times}}'' the group admits only "biological men".<ref name="Cosgrove 2018">{{Cite web|last=Cosgrove|first=Jaclyn|date=July 17, 2018|title=The Proud Boys walk into a bar. A fight breaks out. Now a Los Angeles bar deals with the consequences|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-proud-boys-bar-20180717-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209125532/https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-proud-boys-bar-20180717-story.html|archive-date=December 9, 2018|access-date=December 7, 2018|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

=== Leadership ===
[[File:Gavin McInnes at SXSW.jpg|thumb|left|Gavin McInnes, Proud Boys founder]]
Gavin McInnes founded the group and served as its leader.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kalmbacher|first=Colin|date=January 5, 2019|title=Proud Boys Founder Gavin McInnes Wants Neighbors to Take Down Anti-Hate Yard Signs|url=https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/proud-boys-founder-gavin-mcinnes-wants-neighbors-to-take-down-anti-hate-yard-signs/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204014350/https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/proud-boys-founder-gavin-mcinnes-wants-neighbors-to-take-down-anti-hate-yard-signs/|archive-date=February 4, 2019|access-date=February 3, 2019|website=lawandcrime.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Breland|first=Ali|title=The neo-fascist proud boys organized a "free speech" rally in DC. It flopped.|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/07/the-neo-fascist-proud-boys-organized-a-free-speech-rally-in-dc-today-it-flopped/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707151645/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/07/the-neo-fascist-proud-boys-organized-a-free-speech-rally-in-dc-today-it-flopped/|archive-date=July 7, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2020|website=Mother Jones|language=en-US|quote=Gavin McInnes, founder of the neo-fascist group the Proud Boys, was struggling to break apart toy handcuffs he had brought onstage.}}</ref> After the designation of a number of Proud Boys members as extremists with ties to white nationalism,<ref name= barnes>Barnes, Luke (December 7, 2018) [https://thinkprogress.org/fbi-walks-back-extremist-label-for-proud-boys-6f4c052e60f9/amp/ "FBI does U-turn on Proud Boys 'extremist' label"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208135758/https://thinkprogress.org/fbi-walks-back-extremist-label-for-proud-boys-6f4c052e60f9/amp/ |date=December 8, 2018 }} ''ThinkProgress''</ref> McInnes said that his lawyers had advised him that quitting might help the nine Proud Boys members being prosecuted for the incidents in October.{{clarify|date=June 2021}} During the announcement he defended the group, attacked the reporting about it, said white nationalists do not exist, and at times he said things that made it appear he was not quitting, such as "this is 100% a legal gesture, and it is 100% about alleviating sentencing, [it was a] stepping down gesture, in quotation marks."<ref name=guardiangesture>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=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 |last1=Prengel |first1=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>

{{as of|2018|11}}, the group named its leaders as Enrique Tarrio, designated as chairman, and the "Elder Chapter", which consists of Harry Fox, Heath Hair, Patrick William Roberts, Joshua Hall, Timothy Kelly, Luke Rofhling and Rufio Panman (real name Ethan Nordean).<ref name=splinter_2018-11-28 /><ref name=splinter_2018-11-29 /> Jason Lee Van Dyke, who was the organization's lawyer at the time, had been briefly named as chairman to replace McInnes when he left, but the organization announced on November 30 that Van Dyke was no longer associated with the group in any capacity, although his law firm still holds Proud Boys trademarks and is the registered agent for two of the group's chapters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/30/gavin-mcinnes-proud-boys-australia-visa|title=Gavin McInnes: founder of far-right Proud Boys denied Australian visa|last=Wilson|first=Jason|date=November 30, 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=December 24, 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=December 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221013839/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/30/gavin-mcinnes-proud-boys-australia-visa|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Enrique_Tarrio.jpg|thumb|150px|Enrique Tarrio at a gathering in 2020. Tarrio became the national chairman of the group in 2018]]
Although McInnes had earlier said that any Proud Boy member who was known to have attended the Unite the Right rally was kicked out of the organization, the new chairman Tarrio admitted to having attended the event, but "he had misgivings about the torchlight march and did not participate in it."<ref name=abc2018/>

In November 2020, Kyle "Based Stickman" Chapman said he would "reassume [his] post as President of the Proud Boys", though it is not evident that Chapman has ever been president of the group.<ref name="Goforth-DailyDot" /> He also announced that the group, which denies being a racist or white supremacist organization,<ref name="Palmer-Newsweek3">{{Cite web|last=Palmer|first=Ewan|date=November 11, 2020|title=Proud boys infighting sees leading member form breakaway group to fight "white genocide"|url=https://www.newsweek.com/proud-boys-based-stickman-enrique-tarrio-goys-1546597|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=Newsweek|language=en|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111132052/https://www.newsweek.com/proud-boys-based-stickman-enrique-tarrio-goys-1546597|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Weill-TheDailyBeast4">{{Cite news|last=Weill|first=Kelly|date=November 11, 2020|title=The Post-Election Proud Boys Meltdown Is Here, and It's Ugly|language=en|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-post-election-proud-boys-meltdown-is-here-and-its-ugly|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111231246/https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-post-election-proud-boys-meltdown-is-here-and-its-ugly|url-status=live}}</ref> would take on an explicitly white supremacist direction,<ref name="Weill-TheDailyBeast4"/> and that he intended to refocus the organization on the issues of "white genocide" and the "failures of multiculturalism".<ref name="Palmer-Newsweek3"/> He also announced that he would change the logo and rename the group to the "Proud [[Social:Goy|Goy]]s", a term used among the far-right to signal antisemitism.<ref name="Goforth-DailyDot">{{Cite web|last=Goforth|first=Claire|date=November 11, 2020|title=Far-right conflict following Trump loss spills onto the internet|url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/far-right-infighting-trump-defeat/|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=[[Company:The Daily Dot|The Daily Dot]]|language=en-US|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112003849/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/far-right-infighting-trump-defeat/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Palmer-Newsweek3"/><ref name="Weill-TheDailyBeast4"/> The attempted coup is not believed to have been successful,<ref name="Weill-TheDailyBeast4"/> and the Proud Goys name has not been adopted outside of Chapman's social media.<ref name="Palmer-Newsweek3"/><ref name="Weill-TheDailyBeast4"/><ref name="Sales-JTA2">{{Cite web|last=Sales|first=Ben|date=November 11, 2020|title=A Proud Boys leader is trying to rebrand the group as explicitly white supremacist and anti-Semitic|url=https://www.jta.org/2020/11/11/united-states/a-leader-of-the-proud-boys-says-it-is-now-a-fully-white-supremacist-group-called-the-proud-goys|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|language=en-US|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020605/https://www.jta.org/2020/11/11/united-states/a-leader-of-the-proud-boys-says-it-is-now-a-fully-white-supremacist-group-called-the-proud-goys|url-status=live}}</ref>

Evidence of further disarray within the leadership of the Proud Boys emerged in February 2021, in the aftermath of the 2021 United States Capitol attack and the many arrests of Proud Boys that followed. The Alabama state chapter issued a statement saying, "We do not recognize the assumed authority of any national Proud Boy leadership including the Chairman, the Elders, or any subsequent governing body that is formed to replace them until such a time we may choose to consent to join those bodies of government." The state chapters of Indiana and Oklahoma endorsed the Alabama statement.<ref>{{cite news | last =Carless | first =Will | title =Proud Boys splintering after Capitol riot, revelations about a leader. Will more radical factions emerge? | newspaper =[[Software:USA Today|USA Today]] | location = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =February 12, 2021 | url =https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/02/12/proud-boys-splintering-after-capitol-riot-revelations-leader/6709017002/ | access-date =February 12, 2021 | archive-date =February 12, 2021 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20210212112839/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/02/12/proud-boys-splintering-after-capitol-riot-revelations-leader/6709017002/ | url-status =live }}</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|title=Proud Boys Rally Rocked by Sex, Cocaine Allegations|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/proud-boys-rally-rocked-by-sex-cocaine-allegations|url-status=live|access-date=July 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715222553/https://www.thedailybeast.com/proud-boys-rally-rocked-by-sex-cocaine-allegations|archive-date=July 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Herron|first=Elise|date=March 7, 2018|title=Right-Wing Provocateur Roger Stone Asked Proud Boys For Protection at Dorchester Conference Last Weekend|work=Willamette Week|url=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|access-date=September 22, 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/|archive-date=September 17, 2020}}</ref><ref name="initiated">{{cite news|last1=Weill|first1=Kelly|last2=Weinstein|first2=Adam|last3=Sommer|first3=Will|date=January 29, 2019|title=How the Proud Boys Became Roger Stone's Personal Army|work=Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-the-proud-boys-became-roger-stones-personal-army-6|url-status=live|access-date=July 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714152324/https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-the-proud-boys-became-roger-stones-personal-army-6|archive-date=July 14, 2019}}</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 more than a hundred Facebook and Instagram accounts spent over $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|date=July 8, 2020|title=Facebook removes Roger Stone from Instagram after linking him to fake accounts|work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/tech/roger-stone-proud-boys-facebook/index.html|url-status=live|access-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|archive-date=July 8, 2020}}</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 [[Place:Washington, D.C.|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 ''[[Company:InfoWars|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|last1=Wolf|first1=Colin|date=November 1, 2019|title=Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio is running to represent Florida in Congress|language=en|work=Orlando Weekly|url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2019/11/01/proud-boy-leader-enrique-tarrio-is-running-to-represent-florida-in-congress|url-status=live|access-date=September 22, 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|archive-date=October 1, 2020}}</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" />

''{{wipe|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 attack of the Capitol.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Hsu|first1=Spencer S.|last2=Barrett|first2=Devlin|title=U.S. investigating possible ties between Roger Stone, Alex Jones and Capitol rioters|url=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|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|archive-date=February 23, 2021|access-date=February 21, 2021|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref>

The United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack also revealed ties between Stone and the group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/roger-stone-proud-boys-fraternity-creed-video-january-6-committee-2022-7|title=The January 6 investigators obtained a video of Roger Stone reciting the Proud Boys' 'Fraternity Creed,' the first step for initiation to the extremist group|first=Laura|last=Italiano|website=Business Insider}}</ref>

== Activities and events ==
{{excerpt|Timeline of activities involving the Proud Boys|only=paragraph}}

=== 2017–2018 ===
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.|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?_r=0|access-date=August 21, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=August 22, 2017|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|url-status=live}}</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{{nbs}}... 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Beckett |first1=Lois |last2=Laughland |first2=Oliver |title=Specter of election day violence looms as Trump spurs vigilante poll watchers |newspaper=The Guardian |date=November 5, 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/05/election-day-violence-donald-trump-poll-watchers |access-date=December 1, 2016 |quote=One of America's largest anti-government armed militia groups, the Oath Keepers. |archive-date=August 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803152542/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/05/election-day-violence-donald-trump-poll-watchers |url-status=live }}</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 |last1=Feuer |first1=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 |last1=Crowley |first1=Michael |title=Trump's long dalliance with violent rhetoric |work=Politico |date=August 10, 2016 |url=http://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. 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|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-berkeley-alt-right-20170417-story.html|title=For many at violent Berkeley rally, it wasn't really about Trump or free speech: They came to make trouble|first=Paige St.|last=John|work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 28, 2017|access-date=May 1, 2017|archive-date=April 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430174234/http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-berkeley-alt-right-20170417-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

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|last1=Strickland|first1=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|last1=Porter|first1=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|last1=Lind|first1=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|last1=Houpt|first1=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" /> 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>

The Proud Boys have been active for several years in the [[Place:Pacific Northwest|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 {{wipe|Portland, Oregon}}, and nearby Vancouver, Washington.<ref name="Wilson">{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=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 |last1=Flaccus |first1=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|last1=Wilson|first1=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 |last1=Neiwert |first1=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 Metropolitan Republican Club Incident ===
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 assassination of Inejirō Asanuma, the leader of the Japanese Socialist Party; a captioned photograph of the actual assassination had become a meme in alt-right social media.<ref name=VoxMetro/> The audience for the event was described by ''{{wipe|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/>

==== Protestors ====
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 |last1=Coaston |first1=Jane |title=The Proud Boys, explained. The far-right street fighting group has embraced violence — and Donald Trump. |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 |url-status=live |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}}</ref><ref name=NYTMetro>{{cite news |last1=Southall |first1=Ashley |last2=Pager |first2=Tyler |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 |work=The New York Times |date=October 14, 2018 |language=en |access-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016134015/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/14/nyregion/proud-boys-nyc-antifa-fight.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Incident ====
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 }}, ''{{wipe|The New York Times}}''</ref> Seven Proud Boys pleaded guilty to various charges including [[Social:Riot|riot]], disorderly conduct and attempted [[Social:Assault|assault]].<ref name="Moynihan" /><ref name=nytjul30 />

Three of the men accepted plea deals. Douglas Lennan, pled guilty to one count of riot and one count of attempted assault, and agreed to complete five days of community service in exchange for a no-jail sentence.<ref>{{cite news| publisher=nypost.com| date=April 5, 2019| title=Proud Boys member takes no-jail plea deal for role in UES brawl| author=Priscilla DeGregory
|url=https://nypost.com/2019/04/05/proud-boys-member-takes-no-jail-plea-deal-for-role-in-ues-brawl/}}</ref> Jake Freijo and Eryk Kacznyski pled guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct and also agreed to complete five days of community service.<ref>{{cite news| publisher=nypost.com| date=March 1, 2019
|title=Pair of Proud Boys cop plea over Manhattan brawl| author=Rebecca Rosenberg| url= https://nypost.com/2019/03/01/pair-of-proud-boys-cop-plea-over-manhattan-brawl/}}</ref><ref>(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 more 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 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 |last1=Moynihan |first1=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 that non-cooperation, the Proud Boys were not charged with assault—which requires evidence of injury—but with riot and attempted assault. The bulk of the evidence in the trial came from videos.<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 }} ''{{wipe|The New York Times}}''</ref>

==== Aftermath ====
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 }}. ''{{wipe|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>

=== 2019 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 }} ''[[Software:USA Today|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 }} ''{{wipe|The Washington Post}}''</ref> McInnes, Laura Loomer and [[Biography:Milo Yiannopoulos|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 [[Social:Perennial candidate|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" />

=== End Domestic Terrorism rally 2019 ===
The Proud Boys and Joe Biggs organized an August 17, 2019, demonstration in Portland attended by members of several far-right groups.<ref>(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 }} ''[[Software:USA Today|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 }} ''Huff Post''</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 "[[Social:Domestic terrorism|domestic terrorism]]". It received national attention, including a tweet from President Trump.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/14/us/portland-planned-protests-soh/index.html |title=Portland braces for dueling protests: What we know |first1=Mallory |last1=Simon |first2=Sara |last2=Sidner |publisher=CNN |access-date=August 15, 2019 |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 |url-status=live }}</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 (at least one group urged its members in advance to not attend) and ended with the Proud Boys' requesting a police escort to leave.<ref name="huffpo" />

=== 2020 COVID-19 misinformation ===
Like other far-right groups, the Proud Boys have shown interest in making common cause with the anti-vaccination movement, presumably for recruiting and fundraising purposes.<ref name=AV1>{{Cite news |last=Carless |first=Will |date=23 January 2022 |title=Far-right extremists look to bring vaccination opponents into their fold |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/01/23/anti-vaccination-ideas-extremists/6599746001/ |access-date=14 July 2022}}</ref><ref name=AV2>{{Cite news |last=Skolnik |first=Jon |date=24 January 2022 |title=Proud Boys return to D.C. — this time for massive anti-vaccine rall |work=Salon |url=https://www.salon.com/2022/01/24/proud-boys-return-to-dc--this-time-for-massive-anti-vaccine-rally/ |access-date=14 July 2022}}</ref>

On May 1, 2020, the [[Organization:Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey#Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism|Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism]] (CTEC) at the [[Organization:Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey|Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey]] compiled a report examining the influence of the Proud Boys on anti-lockdown protests and [[Social:COVID-19 misinformation|COVID-19 misinformation]]. Members of the group shared conspiracy theories about [[Biography:Bill Gates|Bill Gates]], a "plandemic", and [[Medicine:COVID-19 vaccine|COVID-19 vaccine]]s on social media, especially [[Software:Telegram|Telegram]].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Newhouse|first1=Alex|last2=Arlett|first2=Adel|last3=McClintock|first3=Leela|date=2020-05-01|title=The Proud Boys Are Spreading Dangerous COVID-19 Narratives|url=https://www.middlebury.edu/institute/sites/www.middlebury.edu.institute/files/2020-05/proudboys.pdf?fv=wqIIbCMZ|access-date=2021-03-25|website=[[Organization:Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey|Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey]]|language=en}}</ref>

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 October 1, 2020, ''{{wipe|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" />

A group of Proud Boys was present at a large rally against public health measures, on January 23, 2022. The event was organized by the anti-vaccination group [[Organization:Children's Health Defense|Children's Health Defense]] and featured leaders of the movement such as [[Biography:Robert F. Kennedy Jr.|Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]] and [[Biography:Del Bigtree|Del Bigtree]].<ref name=AV1/><ref name=AV2/>

==== Anti-BLM protests ====
[[File:Virginia 2nd Amendment Rally (2020 Jan) - 49415700288.jpg|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 30, 2020, Facebook officials reported that internal systems flagged activity from Proud Boys-related accounts encouraging "armed agitators" to attend protests following the [[Biography:Murder of George Floyd|murder of George Floyd]].<ref name="June 2020 Facebook" />

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>

[[File:01IMG 9466 (50131760252).jpg|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 news|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>

Alan Swinney, a Texas-based Proud Boys member, 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><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>On October 5, 2016, a jury found Swinney guilty of 11 charges stemming from BLM protests in Orgeon on August 15 and August 22, 2020 at which he ruined a man’s eye with a paint ball gun, sprayed marchers with bear mace and pointed a loaded .357 pistol at others.  He was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison with three more years of supervision.<ref>{{cite news| publisher=kgw.com| 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}}</ref>

==== Presidential Debates 2020 ====
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>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eAIKBspVEQ | title=Tump and Biden discuss Portland protest violence, Proud Boys and Antifa during presidential debate | website=[[Company:YouTube|YouTube]] | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201001023059/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eAIKBspVEQ&gl=US&hl=en | archive-date=2020-10-10 | date=2020-09-29 }}</ref> Shortly after, Joe Biggs, one of the Proud Boys organizers, shared through his [[Software:Parler|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 ten percent after the debate. ''The Washington Post'' reported that Trump's comments were quickly "enshrined in [[Social:Internet meme|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 |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/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930150716/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/09/30/trump-debate-rightwing-celebration/ |url-status=live }}</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|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|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=wthr.com|date=September 30, 2020 |language=en-US|archive-date=October 2, 2020|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|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Subramanian|first=John Fritze and Courtney|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/|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=USA Today|language=en-US|archive-date=October 1, 2020|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/|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 1, Trump said on [[Biography:Sean Hannity|Sean Hannity]]'s show: "I've said it many times, and let me be clear again: I condemn the [[Religion:Ku Klux Klan|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|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|access-date=October 2, 2020|website=Politico|date=October 2020 |language=en|archive-date=October 2, 2020|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|url-status=live}}</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=[[Software:USA Today|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>

==== 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|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|last3=Stanley-Becker|first3=Isaac|last4=Timberg|first4=Craig|date=October 21, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/10/20/proud-boys-emails-florida/|title=U.S. government concludes Iran was behind threatening emails sent to Democrats|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 21, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029152953/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/10/20/proud-boys-emails-florida/|url-status=live}}</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 [[IP address spoofing|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>

=== 2021 Activities ===
On December 12, 2020, Ashbury United Methodist Church, the oldest historically [[Religion:Black church|black church]] in Washington, D.C., was targeted by Enrique Tarrio and the Proud Boys 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> Police said that more than three dozen people were arrested and four churches were vandalised.<ref name=sentence/> 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 claimed 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>

Tarrio was arrested on January 4, 2021, after police found weapon magazines in his car during a traffic stop. He was charged with one count of destruction of property (a misdemeanor) and two counts of possession of high-capacity ammunition feeding devices (a felony).<ref name="WaPoJan2021">{{cite news |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 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |agency=Washington Post |date=January 4, 2021 |archive-date=January 4, 2021 |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 |url-status=live }}</ref> Tarrio pleaded guilty to both charges and on August 24, 2021, was sentenced to almost six months in jail, starting on 6 September.<ref name=sentence>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58312254|title=Proud Boys leader sentenced for burning stolen Black Lives Matter flag|work=BBC News|date=August 24, 2021}}</ref>

The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church was also vandalized on December 12, 2020, and 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, except 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>

== Participation in the 2021 Capitol attack {{anchor|Participation}} ==
{{multiple image
|align=left
|direction=vertical
|width=170
|image1=19a.ProudBoys.USSC.WDC.6January2021 (50810572611).jpg
|caption1=Ethan Nordean leads a contingent...
|image2=15.ProudBoys.USSC.WDC.6January2021 (50809804738).jpg
|caption2=...of the Proud Boys, as they pass the U.S. Supreme Court on their way to the Capitol building on January 6, 2021
|image3=45.ProudBoys.USSC.WDC.6January2021 (50810015548).jpg
|caption3=Proud Boys from Arizona marching to the Capitol building wearing orange hats
}}
Members of the Proud Boys participated in the attack on the United States Capitol building on January 6, 2021,<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|date=January 12, 2021|title=How a Presidential Rally Turned Into a Capitol Rampage|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/01/12/us/capitol-mob-timeline.html|access-date=January 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112112452/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/01/12/us/capitol-mob-timeline.html|url-status=live}}</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>

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|last=Hagey|first=Georgia Wells, Rebecca Ballhaus and Keach|date=January 17, 2021|title=Proud Boys, Seizing Trump's Call to Washington, Helped Lead Capitol Attack|language=en-US|work={{wipe|The Wall Street Journal}}|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/proud-boys-seizing-trumps-call-to-washington-helped-lead-capitol-attack-11610911596|access-date=January 17, 2021|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=February 12, 2021|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|url-status=live}}</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|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/technology/proud-boys-trump.html|title='A Total Failure': The Proud Boys Now Mock Trump|first1=Sheera|last1=Frenkel|first2=Alan|last2=Feuer|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 20, 2021|access-date=January 21, 2021|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210925/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/technology/proud-boys-trump.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 30, 2020, the Proud Boys held a videoconference to announce the founding of an elite chapter of their members called the Ministry of Self-Defense. At the conference, Enrique Tarrio instructed members that they should avoid other protesters, behave in an orderly manner, and never cross police lines.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Feuer |first=Alan |date=2022-06-26 |title=Proud Boys Ignored Orders Given at Pre-Jan. 6 Meeting |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/26/us/politics/proud-boys-jan-6.html |access-date=2022-06-27 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

According to the ADL, a former member of the Proud Boys founded the neo-Nazi extremist group NSC-131 in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Proud Boys' Bigotry is on Full Display|url=https://www.adl.org/blog/proud-boys-bigotry-is-on-full-display|access-date=2021-08-25|website=Anti-Defamation League|language=en}}</ref> NSC-131 also attended the January 6th attack on the Capitol, and have bragged about stealing police gear such as helmets and batons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Neo-Nazi Street Fighting Gang Keeps Bragging About Attending Capitol Riot|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/7k9gxq/neo-nazi-street-fighting-gang-continues-bragging-about-attending-jan-6|access-date=2021-08-25|website=www.vice.com|date=March 23, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

A {{wipe|New York Times}} investigative video titled "How the Proud Boys Breached the Capitol"<ref name ="NYT PB article">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/12/us/politics/proud-boys-jan-6.html|first1=Natalie|last1=Reneau|last2=Cooper|first2=Stella|last3=Feuer|first3=Alan|last4=Byrd|first4=Aaron|title=Proud Boys Led Major Breaches of Capitol on Jan. 6, Video Investigation Finds|work={{wipe|The New York Times}}|date=June 17, 2022|access-date=August 18, 2022}}</ref> and testimony and video by documentary filmmaker Nick Quested during hearings of the January 6th Committee showed that the Proud Boys played a key role in the January 6th Insurrection. The Times video investigation concludes "...the Proud Boys played critical roles, from the first moment of violence to multiple breaches of the Capitol while leaving the impression that it was just ordinary protesters leading the charge."<ref name="NYT PB video">{{YouTube|id=-DfLbrUa5Ng|title="How the Proud Boys Breached the Capitol {{!}} Visual Investigations"}}</ref> Similarly, on June 9, 2022, filmmaker Nick Quested testified to the January 6th Committee that:
{{Blockquote
|text=NICK QUESTED: We met up with the Proud Boys somewhere around 10:30 am and they were starting to walk down the Mall, an easterly direction towards the Capitol. There was a large contingent, more than I had expected. And I was confused to a certain extent why we were walking away from the President's speech because that's what I felt we were there to cover.

BENNIE THOMPSON: So at 10:30 am, that's early in the day. That's even before President Trump had started speaking. Am I correct?

NICK QUESTED: Yes, sir.

...

BENNIE THOMPSON: ... You now estimate that there were around 250 to 300 individuals that — you've testified.

NICK QUESTED: (Nods)<ref name="NPR Transcript">{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/06/10/1104156949/jan-6-committee-hearing-transcript|title=Here's every word of the first Jan. 6 committee hearing on its investigation|work=NPR|date=June 10, 2022|access-date=August 24, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Whole Paycheck video of 1st Hearing">{{YouTube|id=AAYUj3iwqLY|time=3h4m3s|title="Jan. 6 committee holds first public hearing in series of eight - 6/9 (FULL LIVE STREAM)"}}</ref>}}

Quested also said separately to NPR, in an interview:{{Blockquote
|text=There's only one moment where that - the sort of facade of marching and protesting might have fallen, which is there was a - one of the Proud Boys called Milkshake and Eddie Block on his livestream catches Milkshake saying, well, let's go storm the Capitol with Nordean - Rufio - one of the leaders of the Proud Boys saying, you could keep that quiet, please, Milkshake. And then we continued on marching.<ref name="NPR interview">{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/06/10/1104291172/documentary-footage-from-filmmaker-shows-evidence-that-jan-6-was-a-planned-attac|first=Lauren|last=Hodges|title=Documentary footage from filmmaker shows evidence that Jan. 6 was a planned attack|work=NPR|date=June 10, 2021|access-date=August 22, 2022}}</ref>}}

The NYT investigative video report tracks the roles of Proud Boys throughout multiple video clips. It starts off with Joe Biggs directing the Proud Boys to blend in with others, he said "...we are going to go incognito...".<ref name="NYT PB video incognito">{{YouTube|id=-DfLbrUa5Ng|title="How the Proud Boys Breached the Capitol {{!}} Visual Investigations"|time=14s}}</ref> and later explains that "Proud Boy leaders crafted a chain of command specifically for Jan. 6".<ref name="NYT PB video chain of command">{{YouTube|id=-DfLbrUa5Ng|title="How the Proud Boys Breached the Capitol {{!}} Visual Investigations"|time=1m38s}}</ref> Many of the Proud Boys also "worked as teams"<ref name="NYT PB teams">{{YouTube|id=-DfLbrUa5Ng|title="How the Proud Boys Breached the Capitol {{!}} Visual Investigations"|time=7m22s}}</ref> and "Telegram messages from that morning show that some of the Proud Boys intend to rile up other protesters," with one thread having this exchange between Proud Boy members:
{{Blockquote
|text=UCC-1: I want to see thousands of normies burn that city to ash today.
</p>
Person-2: Would be epic.<ref name="NYT PB video burn the city">{{YouTube|id=-DfLbrUa5Ng|title="How the Proud Boys Breached the Capitol {{!}} Visual Investigations"|time=4m38s}}</ref>}}

January 6 testimony by Capitol police officer Caroline Edwards described the first breach after the Proud Boys arrived.
{{Blockquote
|text=Ms. Edwards described how a Proud Boys leader named Joseph Biggs encouraged another man to approach the bike rack barricade where she was posted. That man, Ryan Samsel, she said, pushed the bike rack over, causing her to hit her head and lose consciousness.

But before she blacked out, Ms. Edwards recalled seeing "a war scene" playing out in front of her. Police officers were bleeding and throwing up, she recalled.

"It was carnage," she said. "It was chaos."<ref name="NYT on Jan 6 first hearing">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/09/us/politics/jan-6-proud-boys-capitol-police.html|first=Alan|last=Feuer|title=Three Characters at the Heart of an Unsettling Jan. 6 Narrative|work={{wipe|The New York Times}}|date=June 9, 2022|access-date=August 24, 2022}}</ref>}}

The Capitol Hill police were vastly outnumbered: "...the mob on the west side eventually grew to at least 9,400 people, outnumbering officers by more than 58 to one."<ref name="Wa Po Numbers">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2021/dc-police-records-capitol-riot/|first1=Dalton|last1=Bennett|last2=Boburg|first2=Shawn|last3=Cahlan|first3=Sarah|last4=Hermann|first4=Peter|title=17 requests for backup in 78 minutes|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 15, 2021|access-date=August 22, 2022}}</ref> Video shown during the January 6th committee hearings show Officer Edwards being pushed back behind a bicycle rack as Proud Boys push barricades towards her, knocking her off her feet and causing her to hit her head on the concrete steps.<ref name="Whole Paycheck video of 1st Hearing carnage">{{YouTube|id=AAYUj3iwqLY|time=3h6m58s|title="Jan. 6 committee holds first public hearing in series of eight - 6/9 (FULL LIVE STREAM)"}}</ref>

Later, as the attack progressed, the Proud Boys were stalled by Capitol officers on the west side. The NYT video investigation shows how Proud Boys' leaders fell back, assessed the situation for about fifteen minutes, and then redirected their attack to weaker points.<ref name="NYT PB tactical redirection">{{YouTube|id=-DfLbrUa5Ng|title="How the Proud Boys Breached the Capitol {{!}} Visual Investigations"|time=9m20s}}</ref> The redirected effort focused on the east side and a scaffolding leading up to building entrances. The protesters on the east side, led by the Proud Boys, now easily overran the police in the plaza. On the west side, after about a twenty-minute battle on the scaffolding steps, the Proud Boys broke through the resistance and rushed up the steps of the Capitol. One of the first breaches of the Capitol was by Proud Boy Dominic Pezzola breaking in a window using a stolen police shield.<ref name="NYT PB video breach">{{YouTube|id=-DfLbrUa5Ng|title="How the Proud Boys Breached the Capitol {{!}} Visual Investigations"|time=13m15s}}</ref>

The Times report "...found a pattern in how the Proud Boys moved on the ground". As in this example, "Over and over, at key moments when the Capitol was breached, the group used the same set of tactics: identifying access points to the building, riling up other protesters and sometimes directly joining in the violence. When met with resistance, leaders of the group reassessed, and teams of Proud Boys targeted new entry points to the Capitol."<ref name="NYT PB article"/>

Another key revelation about the Proud Boy's plans came from an informant and concerned Mike Pence:
{{Blockquote
|text=According to an F.B.I. affidavit the panel highlighted ... a government informant said that members of the far-right militant group the Proud Boys told him they would have killed Pence 'if given the chance.' The rioters on January 6th almost had that chance, coming within forty feet of the Vice-President as he fled to safety.<ref name="The New Yorker">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-bidens-washington/what-we-learned-about-trump-pence-and-the-january-6th-mob|first=Susan|last=Glasser|title=What We Learned About Trump, Pence, and the January 6th Mob|magazine=The New Yorker|date=June 16, 2022|access-date=August 24, 2022}}</ref>}}

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{{nbs}}6 violated the Third Enforcement Act of 1871.<ref name=":13">{{Cite news|last=Hsu|first=Spencer S.|title=House Homeland Security chairman sues Trump and Giuliani, accusing them of inciting Capitol riot|language=en-US|newspaper={{wipe|The Washington Post}}|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/lawsuit-trump-capitol-riot/2021/02/16/1695b6b0-6fd6-11eb-b8a9-b9467510f0fe_story.html|access-date=2021-02-16|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=February 16, 2021|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|url-status=live}}</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 attack 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|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/01/us/extremism-capitol-riot.html|title=Far-Right Groups Are Splintering in Wake of the Capitol Riot|first=Neil|last=MacFarquhar|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 2, 2021|access-date=March 3, 2021|archive-date=March 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304143256/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/01/us/extremism-capitol-riot.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/15/politics/proud-boys-dysfunction-capitol-attack/index.html|title=Proud Boys descended into dysfunction after US Capitol riot, new messages show|first=Marshall|last=Cohen|website=CNN|date=June 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/proud-boys-and-oath-keepers-forceful-on-jan-6-privately-are-in-turmoil-11623859785|title=Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, Forceful on Jan. 6, Privately Are in Turmoil|first=Rebecca Ballhaus, Khadeeja Safdar and Shalini|last=Ramachandran|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=June 16, 2021|via=www.wsj.com}}</ref>

The ''Times'' also reported 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|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/05/us/politics/trump-proud-boys-capitol-riot.html|title=F.B.I. Finds Contact Between Proud Boys Member and Trump Associate Before Riot|first1=Katie|last1=Benner|first2=Alan|last2=Feuer|first3=Adam|last3=Goldman|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 6, 2021|access-date=March 7, 2021|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309031628/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/05/us/politics/trump-proud-boys-capitol-riot.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Citing private Facebook messages, prosecutors alleged in a March 2021 court filing that during the weeks preceding the attack, Florida Oath Keepers leader Kelly Meggs had contacted Proud Boys who he said could serve as a "force multiplier" and that he had "organized an alliance" among the Oath Keepers, Proud Boys and the Florida chapter of the Three Percenters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/24/us/politics/oath-keepers-proud-boys-capitol-riot.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/24/us/politics/oath-keepers-proud-boys-capitol-riot.html |archive-date=2021-12-28 |url-access=limited|title=Justice Dept. Links Oath Keepers and Proud Boys Ahead of Capitol Riot|first=Alan|last=Feuer|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 24, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> A US district court in Portland also charged two Oregon brothers who are members of the group with the federal crimes of violence and terrorism for actions related to the attack at the capitol.<ref name=":11">{{cite case |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ord.159554/gov.uscourts.ord.159554.3.0.pdf |case=United States of America v. Jonathanpeter Allen Klein and Matthew Leland Klein |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite web |title=2 Oregon brothers arrested for attack on US Capitol |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2021/03/24/oregon-brothers-arrested-fbi-us-capitol-violence/ |access-date=2021-03-25 |website=opb}}</ref>

Federal judge Royce Lamberth declined to release Proud Boys member Christopher Worrell of East Naples, Florida, prior to his trial, citing Facebook posts he had made threatening retribution against those who he believed "ratted" him out to the FBI.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lawandcrime.com/u-s-capitol-siege/judge-finds-proud-boys-pleas-to-get-out-of-jail-without-merit-highlighting-vulgar-threats-he-made-against-people-who-ratted-him-out/|title=Judge Finds Proud Boy's Pleas to Get Out of Jail 'Without Merit,' Highlighting Vulgar Threats He Made Against People Who 'Ratted' Him Out|date=June 9, 2021}}</ref>

On May 19, 2023, a DC police lieutenant was arrested for allegedly lying about his communications with Tarrio.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hsu |first1=Spencer S. |last2=Hermann |first2=Peter |date=19 May 2023 |title=D.C. police officer arrested, accused of leaking info to Proud Boys leader |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/05/19/dc-police-officer-arrested-obstruction-jan6/ |access-date=19 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia |date=18 May 2023 |title=Indictment: USA v. Shane Lamond |url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23816948-lamonds-indictment |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=www.documentcloud.org}}</ref>

=== Indictments for conspiracy ===
The Justice Department announced on February 3, 2021, that two Proud Boys members had been indicted for conspiracy.<ref name="auto2" /> Five more individuals affiliated with the Proud Boys were charged with conspiracy on February 11, followed by six more on February 26.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hsu |first1=Spencer |date=February 11, 2021 |title=Five more charged in Capitol riot allegedly teamed with Kansas City Proud Boys |newspaper=The Washington Post |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 |access-date=February 12, 2021 |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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |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}}</ref> Federal grand jury conspiracy indictments of others followed.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Katelyn Polantz |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 |website=CNN|date=March 19, 2021 }}</ref> Federal prosecutors considered pursuing charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, typically used to prosecute organized crime syndicates.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lynch |first=Sarah N. |date=February 12, 2021 |title=Five charged with Proud Boys conspiracy in deadly U.S. Capitol attack |newspaper=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trump-capitol-arrests-idINKBN2AC269 |url-status=live |access-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218013412/https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trump-capitol-arrests-idINKBN2AC269 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |via=www.reuters.com}}</ref>

On November 23, 2021, Tarrio and Proud Boys International LLC were subpoenaed by the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack. The committee's belief was that members of the organization have information about the preparations of the event, and what led to the ensuing violence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Marshall |date=November 23, 2021 |title=January 6 committee subpoenas Proud Boys and Oath Keepers |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/23/politics/january-6-subpoenas-proud-boys-oath-keepers/index.html |publisher=CNN}}</ref>

In December, a federal judge rejected an argument made by four Proud Boys members that their participation in the attack could be considered a protected First Amendment demonstration.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Polantz |first1=Katelyn |date=December 28, 2021 |title=Judge rejects Proud Boys' First Amendment claims in January 6 conspiracy case |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/28/politics/proud-boys-first-amendment/index.html}}</ref>

The indicted are:
#Charles Donohoe, leader of the North Carolina chapter of the Proud Boys, in April 2022, became the first member of Proud Boys leadership to plead guilty to conspiracy and agree to cooperate with prosecutors.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rabinowitz |first1=Hannah |date=April 8, 2022 |title=Member of Proud Boys leadership pleads guilty to US Capitol attack charges and will cooperate with prosecutors |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/08/politics/charles-donohoe-proud-boys/index.html}}</ref> After entering his plea, his attorneys released court papers in which Donohoe admitted that several leaders and members of the Proud Boys had discussed using "force and violence" to disrupt the certification of the election "to show Congress that 'we the people' were in charge." He also stated that before arriving in Washington the Proud Boys had discussed storming the Capitol, which he said "would achieve the group's goal of stopping the government from carrying out the transfer of presidential power."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Feuer |first1=Alan |date=April 8, 2022 |title=Pro-Trump Rally Planner Is Cooperating in Justice Dept.'s Jan. 6 Inquiry |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/08/us/politics/january-6-investigation-ali-alexander.html}}</ref>
#Nicholas Ochs, leader of the Hawaii chapter of the Proud Boys and Republican candidate for the Hawaiian state legislature from Waikiki, was present at the January 6 United States Capitol attack and admitted entering the capitol as well as throwing smoke bombs at police. He was arrested and pled guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding.<ref>{{cite news | publisher=nbcnews.com | date=November 9, 2020| title=Adrian Tam defeats local Proud Boys leader, becomes only gay Asian American in Hawaii House| author=Sakshi Venkatraman
|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/adrian-tam-defeats-local-proud-boys-leader-becomes-1st-gay-n1246790?}}</ref><ref name="AP News Proud Boys Hawaii">{{cite web |last=Richer |first=Alanna Durkin |date=September 9, 2022 |title=Proud Boys Hawaii leader, friend plead guilty in Jan. 6 riot |url=https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-biden-social-media-texas-583d8a7b698784ac888c4008d29b0320 |access-date=September 9, 2022 |website=apnews.com |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| publisher=thehill.com| date= September 9, 2022| title=Proud Boys Hawaii chapter founder pleads guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding| first=Jared |last=Gans| url=https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/3635962-proud-boys-hawaii-chapter-founder-pleads-guilty-to-obstruction-of-an-official-proceeding/}}</ref>
#Shawn Price, a Proud Boy member from Rockaway, and vice president of a local group, traveled to Washington, D.C. and on January 6, 2021, and aggressively  pushed the crowd forward into a line of defending police officers. He pled guilty to interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder.<ref>{{cite news| work=washingtonpost.com| date=October 14, 2022| title=Proud Boys leader from New Jersey pleads guilty in Capitol riot| author=Paul Duggan |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/10/14/proud-boy-guilty-price-capitol-riot/}}</ref>
#Matthew Greene, Proud Boys member from Syracuse, NY had told other Proud Boys in encrypted messages that they needed to "stand together now or end up in the gulag separately".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weiner |first1=Rachel |date=December 22, 2021 |title=Proud Boy pleads guilty to felony charge in Capitol riot |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/12/22/matthew-greene-proud-boy/}}</ref> He pleaded guilty in December 2021 to conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding and became the first Proud Boy to agree to cooperate with prosecutors.<ref>{{cite news | publisher=npr.org| date=December 22, 2021| title=Proud Boys member pleads guilty for role in Capitol riot| author=Carrie Johnson
|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/12/22/1066944829/matthew-greene-proud-boys-jan-6-capitol-pleads-guilty/}}</ref>
#Nicholas DeCarlo, a member of the Proud Boys from Fort Worth, Texas met Proud Boy Nicolas Ochs from Hawaii and entered the U.S. Capital. Ochs taped themselves saying, “We’re not supposed to be here, this is beyond the fence,” and DeCarlo said, “We’re all felons, yeah!”  Later they taped themselves on the streets of Washington and saying, “As we’ve been saying all day, we came here to stop the steal.” To which DeCarlo added: “We did it. … We did our job.”  DeCarlo has pled guilty to a count of obstruction of an official proceeding.<ref name="AP News Proud Boys Hawaii"/><ref>{{cite news| publisher=dallasnews.com| date=September 10, 2022| title=Fort Worth man who wrote 'Murder the Media' on Capitol door pleads guilty| author=Aria Jones| url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/courts/2022/09/10/fort-worth-man-who-wrote-murder-the-media-on-capitol-door-pleads-guilty/}}</ref>
#Joshua Pruitt, a member of the DC/Maryland Proud Boys attended the January 6 United States Capitol attack where he smashed signs, obstructed an Official Proceeding and chased Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.  He was found guilty and sentenced to 55 months in prison.<ref>{{cite news| publisher=justice.gov| date=August 29, 2022| title=PRUITT, Joshua, Case Number: 1:21-cr-23| author=U.S. Attorneys, District of Columbia, Department of Justice| url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/defendants/pruitt-joshua/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=nbcnews.com| date=August 29, 2022| title= Proud Boy sentenced to 4.5 years in prison in Jan. 6 case| author=Ryan J. Reilly| url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/proud-boy-sentenced-45-years-prison-jan-6-case-still-says-election-was-rcna44793/}}</ref>
#Jeremy Bertino, Proud Boy from Belmont, North Carolina and described as a "lieutenant" to Enrique Tarrio pled guilty to seditious conspiracy and firearms possession "to overthrow, put down or to destroy by force the government of the United States". He awaits sentencing.<ref>{{cite news | agency=reuters.com| date=October 6, 2022| title=Proud Boys member pleads guilty to seditious conspiracy for U.S. Capitol attack| author=Sarah N. Lynch| url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/proud-boys-member-pleads-guilty-seditious-conspiracy-capitol-attack-2022-10-06/}}</ref><ref name="BertinoPleadsGuilty">{{cite news | last =Hsu | first =Spencer S. | title =First Proud Boys leader pleads guilty to Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy: Jeremy Bertino was in inner circle of right-wing group led by Henry 'Enrique' Tarrio, accused with some Oath Keepers of planning violence to oppose President Biden's inauguration. | newspaper =Washington Post|publisher = washingtonpost.com| date =October 6, 2022 |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/10/06/proud-boys-bertino-plea-seditious-conspiracy/| accessdate=October 6, 2022 }}</ref>

On June 6, 2022, the Justice Department announced that five Proud Boys had been indicted for "seditious conspiracy," a charge to be added to their February 2021 indictments of obstructing the certification of the 2020 presidential election.<ref>{{cite web| date=June 6, 2022| title=Leader of Proud Boys and Four Other Members Indicted in Federal Court For Seditious Conspiracy and Other Offenses Related to U.S. Capitol Breach| author=Office of Public Affairs, Department of Justice| url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/leader-proud-boys-and-four-other-members-indicted-federal-court-seditious-conspiracy-and/}}</ref><ref name="charges">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/06/06/tarrio-proud-boys-seditious-conpiracy/ Proud Boys leader Tarrio, 4 top lieutenants charged with seditious conspiracy in widening Jan 6 case], ''Washington Post'', Spencer Hsu, June 6, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=Alan Feuer |author2=Adam Goldman |date=June 6, 2022 |title=Proud Boys Charged With Sedition in Capitol Attack |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/06/us/politics/proud-boys-charged-sedition-capitol-attack.html}}</ref> They are:
#Enrique Tarrio, National Chairman of the Proud Boys. On March 22, 2023, federal prosecutors revealed that a witness they expected Tarrio to call in his defense the next day had been a government informant for nearly two years.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Kunzelman |first1=Michael |last2=Whitehurst |first2=Lindsay |date=2023-03-23 |title=Federal Prosecutors Reveal Proud Boys Witness Was Informant |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/federal-prosecutors-reveal-proud-boys-witness-was-informant_n_641c60d3e4b0bc5cb655273b |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref>
#Joe Biggs from Ormond Beach, Florida.
#Ethan Nordean, also known as Rufio Panman, is a Proud Boys leader from Auburn, Washington.
#Dominic Pezzola, Proud Boy member from Rochester, New York.
#Zachary Rehl, president of the Philadelphia Proud Boy chapter, posted on social media, "Hopefully the firing squads are for the traitors that are trying to steal the election from the American people." He had been charged with seditious conspiracy.<ref>{{cite news| publisher=ydr.com| date=October 24, 2022| title= Who they are: 75 Pennsylvania residents arrested for involvement in Capitol insurrection| first=Kim |last=Strong |work=York Daily Record |url=https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2022/07/06/pennsylvania-residents-among-those-arrested-u-s-capitol-insurrection/4331778001/}}</ref>
#Freedom Vy, Proud Boy member from Philadelphia, allegedly broke into the office of U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and has been charged with Unlawful entry, Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=usnews.com| date= December 15, 2021| title= 3 Philly-Area Proud Boys Charged In Jan 6 Capitol Riot| author=Max Bennett| url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/3-philly-area-proud-boys-charged-in-jan-6-capitol-riot/ar-AARQELh/}}</ref>
#Isaiah Giddings, member from Philadelphia, PA allegedly broke into the office of U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and has been charged with Unlawful entry, Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct.
#Brian Healion, member from Upper Darby, PA, has also been charged with Unlawful entry, Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct.

Four members of the Oath Keepers were convicted of seditious conspiracy for their role in the January 6th attack on the Capitol.  All are awaiting sentencing.<ref>{{cite news| publisher=apnews.com| date= January 23, 2023| title=Four Oath Keepers convicted of Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy|author=MICHAEL KUNZELMAN |author2=ALANNA DURKIN RICHER| url=https://apnews.com/article/oath-keepers-seditious-conspiracy-conviction-2b9fb724c9839524d00ee389959e0e62/}}</ref>{{Needs update|date=June 2023|reason=sentencing has occured}} They are:
#Joseph Hackett, a chiropractor from Sarasota, Florida 
#Roberto Minuta, from Prosper, Texas
#David Moerschel, from Punta Gorda, Florida 
#Edward Vallejo, from Phoenix, Arizona

Other individuals with ties to the Proud Boys were charged with other offenses related to the Capitol attack. 
#Dominic Pezzola, who broke a U.S. Capitol window with a police shield to enter the building. 
#William Pepe, Proud Boy who attended the January 6th attack and was charged with trespassing and impeding the orderly function of government. He was fired from his MTA position for having used sick leave to attend the rally and for having values "unacceptable and inconsistent with the MTA.<ref>{{cite news| publisher=nbcnewyork.com| date=March 10, 2021| title=Metro-North Employee Fired for Using Sick Day to Allegedly Participate in Capitol Riot| author=Mat| url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/metro-north-employee-fired-for-using-sick-day-to-allegedly-participate-in-capitol-riot/2934390/}}</ref><ref name="CNN-Indicted">{{Cite web |author=Evan Perez, Katelyn Polantz and Mallory Simon |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|date=February 3, 2021 }}</ref>
#Lucas Denney of Kinney County, Texas founder of a group called the Patriot Boys of North Texas, meticulous and extensive planned the trip to Washington DC and participated in the January 6 United States Capitol attack.  A military veteran, Denney carried body armor, pepper spray, and a PVC pipe for use as a weapon.  He was charged with assaulting a police officer, found guilty and sentenced to 52 months in prison.<ref>{{cite news| publisher=wusa9.com| date=September 28, 2022| title=Judge sentences Capitol rioter who 'undoubtedly came looking for a fight' to 4 years in prison| author=Jordan Fischer| url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/national/capitol-riots/patriot-boys-of-north-texas-militia-founder-sentenced-to-4-years-in-prison-for-assault-with-dangerous-weapon-lucas-denney-donald-hazard-fanone/65-85a82ffa-0343-4e17-b21e-305c0b43b57b}}</ref>
#Donald Hazard from Hurst, Texas is a member of a group called the Patriot Boys of North Texas.  At the urging of the groups’ president, Lucas Denny, Hazard traveled to Washington DC and participated in the January 6 United States Capitol attack during which he attacked and injured a police officer and then bragged about it on Facebook.  He was found guilty and sentenced to four years and nine months in prison.<ref>{{cite news| publisher=wusa9.com| date=September 28, 2022| title=Judge sentences Capitol rioter who 'undoubtedly came looking for a fight' to 4 years in prison| author=Jordan Fischer| url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/national/capitol-riots/patriot-boys-of-north-texas-militia-founder-sentenced-to-4-years-in-prison-for-assault-with-dangerous-weapon-lucas-denney-donald-hazard-fanone/65-85a82ffa-0343-4e17-b21e-305c0b43b57b}}</ref>

=== Convictions for seditious conspiracy ===
The trial, originally scheduled for August 8, 2022, was postponed because neither the prosecutors nor the defendants' counsel expected to have access to relevant interview transcripts until the January 6 House committee released its final report. (The committee had said it did not want to share its witness testimony with the Justice Department until it had completed its own work.) Lacking access to the House committee's interview transcripts, two defendants had motioned to reschedule the August trial, and the government had consented as long as all five defendants would be tried together in December.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USA v. Ethan Nordean, et al. Case No 21-CR-175 (TJK) |url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22061890-show_temp |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=DocumentCloud.org}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite news |last=Lynch |first=Sarah N. |date=2022-06-22 |title=U.S. judge agrees to postpone Proud Boys trial amid Jan. 6 Capitol riot hearings |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-judge-agrees-postpone-proud-boys-trial-amid-jan-6-capitol-riot-hearings-2022-06-22/ |access-date=2022-06-29}}</ref><ref name="CNN-Indicted" /><ref name=":15" /><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Olmos |first1=Sergio |last2=Baker |first2=Mike |last3=Feuer |first3=Alan |date=2021-08-24 |title=Even Amid a Crackdown, the Proud Boys Are Still Agitating |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/23/us/proud-boys-enrique-tarrio.html |url-access=limited |access-date=2021-09-05 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/23/us/proud-boys-enrique-tarrio.html |archive-date=2021-12-28 |issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="AP News Proud Boys Hawaii" />

The trial began on December 19, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Andy |date=2022-12-19 |title=The Proud Boys Sedition Trial And The Violence At The GOP's Core |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/proud-boys-seditious-conspiracy-trial_n_6399d9ede4b015bb57412e32 |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref> U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly allowed prosecutors to play a 2020 video of Donald Trump asking the Proud Boys to "stand back and stand by." On January 28, 2023, it was reported that the Proud Boys defendants planned to subpoena Trump to appear as a witness.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-28 |title=Proud Boys Aim To Subpoena Trump As Witness At Their Jan. 6 Trial: Reporter |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/proud-boys-aim-to-subpoena-trump-as-witness-at-their-jan-6-trial-reporter_n_63d4c3d8e4b0c8e3fc7e86de |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref>

On May 4, 2023, Tarrio, Nordean, Biggs, and Rehl were convicted of seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to prevent Members of Congress and federal law enforcement officers from discharging duties, civil disorder, and destruction of government property.<ref name=CNNGuiltyMay2023>{{Cite web |last=Rabinowitz |first=Hannah |date=2023-05-04 |title=Four Proud Boys members found guilty of seditious conspiracy |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/04/politics/proud-boys-seditious-conspiracy-verdict/index.html |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=CNN Politics |language=en}}</ref><ref name=JuryConvicts4ProudBoys>[https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jury-convicts-four-leaders-proud-boys-seditious-conspiracy-related-us-capitol-breach Jury Convicts Four Leaders of the Proud Boys of Seditious Conspiracy Related to U.S. Capitol Breach], U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs (May 4, 2023).</ref> Pezzola was acquitted of seditious conspiracy, but was convicted on the other charges,<ref name=CNNGuiltyMay2023/><ref name=JuryConvicts4ProudBoys/> which are serious felonies.<ref>Alan Feuer & Zach Montague, [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/04/us/politics/jan-6-proud-boys-sedition.html Four Proud Boys Convicted of Sedition in Key Jan. 6 Case], ''Mew York Times'' (May 4, 2023).</ref> The jury also found Pezzola guilty of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and robbery involving government property.<ref name=JuryConvicts4ProudBoys/>

=== Actions post-2021 Capitol attack ===
==== Alabama ====
Following the 2021 Capitol attack, Enrique Tarrio was discovered to have been an informant to both federal and local law enforcement between 2012 and 2014.<ref>Informant:
* {{Cite web |last=Roston |first=Aram |date=2021-01-27 |title=Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was an FBI informant |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/27/proud-boys-leader-enrique-tarrio-fbi-informant |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210824/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/27/proud-boys-leader-enrique-tarrio-fbi-informant |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=2021-01-27 |website=The Guardian |language=en |agency=Reuters}}
* {{Cite web |title=Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was a 'prolific' FBI informant: report |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7602418/proud-boys-enrique-tarrio/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210813/https://globalnews.ca/news/7602418/proud-boys-enrique-tarrio/ |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=2021-01-27 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}
* {{Cite web |title=Leader of group involved in US Capitol violence was 'prolific' informer for law enforcement |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/enrique-tarrio-leader-group-us-capitol-violence-14054494 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127152336/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/enrique-tarrio-leader-group-us-capitol-violence-14054494 |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=2021-01-27 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Roston|first=Aram|date=2021-01-27|title=Exclusive: Proud Boys leader was 'prolific' informer for law enforcement|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-proudboys-leader-exclusive-idUSKBN29W1PE|access-date=2021-08-24}}</ref> The Proud Boys of Alabama officially stated on [[Software:Telegram|Telegram]] regarding Tarrio, "We reject and disavow the proven federal informant, Enrique Tarrio, and any and all chapters that choose to associate with him."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ross|first=Jamie|date=2021-03-02|title=Leaked Telegram Messages Reveal Bitter Infighting Among Proud Boys: 'Traitors Are Everywhere'|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/proud-boys-infighting-revealed-by-leaked-telegram-messages-claiming-traitors-are-everywhere|access-date=2021-08-25|website=The Daily Beast|language=en}}</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=www.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| publisher=kgw.com| 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/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| publisher=news10.com| date=December 11, 2021| title=Self-proclaimed Proud Boy gets 10 years for 2020 protest crimes| author=Hailey Dunn, Nexstar Media Wire| url=https://www.news10.com/news/self-proclaimed-proud-boy-gets-10-years-for-2020-protest-crimes/}}</ref>

==== California ====
On June 12, 2022, a group identified as Proud Boys by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office stormed a children's [[Social:Drag Queen Story Hour|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=www.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=www.kqed.org|date=June 13, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

== Response ==
=== Government ===
==== United States ====
In late November 2018, an internal memo from the Clark County Sheriff's Office showed that the FBI had designated the Proud Boys an extremist group, but it later clarified that only certain members were extremist threats with ties to white nationalism.<ref name="Gdn20181119" /><ref name="oregonian" />

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 [[Organization:Atomwaffen Division|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 [[Social:Straight pride|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" />

==== Canada ====
Bill Blair, Canada's minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, announced in January 2021 that Canada was considering designating the Proud Boys a terrorist organization.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cecco|first=Leyland|date=2021-01-11|title=Canada considers adding Proud Boys to terrorist list alongside Isis and al-Qaida|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/11/canada-considers-adding-proud-boys-terrorist-list-alongside-isis-al-qaida|access-date=2021-01-11|website={{wipe|The Guardian}}|language=en}}</ref>

On January 25, 2021, the House of Commons of Canada unanimously passed a motion calling on the government "to use all available tools to address the proliferation of white supremacist and hate groups, starting with immediately designating the Proud Boys as a terrorist entity."<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|last=West|first=Leah|date=2021-02-09|title=The Complicated Consequences of Canada's Proud Boys Terrorist Listing|url=https://www.lawfareblog.com/complicated-consequences-canadas-proud-boys-terrorist-listing|access-date=2021-02-09|website=Lawfare|language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto3"/>

On February 3, 2021, the Proud Boys were officially designated as a terrorist entity in Canada.<ref name=":12" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Government of Canada|first=Public Works and Government Services Canada|date=2021-02-03|title=Canada Gazette, Part 2, Volume 155, Number 2: Regulations Amending the Regulations Establishing a List of Entities|url=http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2021/2021-02-03-x2/html/sor-dors8-eng.html|access-date=2021-02-03|website=www.gazette.gc.ca|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210854/http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2021/2021-02-03-x2/html/sor-dors8-eng.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Bill Blair, the Minister of Public Safety added 13 new groups (including four ideologically motivated violent extremist groups, Atomwaffen Division, the Base, the Russian Imperial Movement, and the Proud Boys) to the ''Criminal Code'' list of terrorist entities.<ref name=":02" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-12-21|title=About the listing process|url=https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-en.aspx|access-date=2021-02-09|website=www.publicsafety.gc.ca|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301160957/https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-en.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Section 83.01() of the Canadian criminal code defines a terrorist entity as "a) an entity that has as one of its purposes or activities facilitating or carrying out any terrorist activity, or b) a listed entity, and includes an association of such entities."<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|last=Branch|first=Legislative Services|date=2020-07-01|title=Consolidated federal laws of canada, Criminal Code|url=https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/page-13.html|access-date=2021-02-09|website=laws-lois.justice.gc.ca|archive-date=May 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514135800/https://www.laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/page-13.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A ''listed entity'' means an entity on a list established by the Governor in Council under section 83.05.<ref name=":14" /> The Cabinet of Canada can list an entity on the recommendation of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness if the Governor in Council is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that (a) the entity has knowingly carried out, attempted to carry out, participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity; or (b) the entity has knowingly acted on behalf of, at the direction of or in association with an entity referred to in paragraph (a).<ref name=":14" />

Under section 83 of the Criminal Code, it is an indictable offence to provide use or possess property for terrorist purposes.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Canada labels the Proud Boys, other neo-Nazi groups as terrorists {{!}} CBC News|language=en-US|work=CBC|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-proud-boys-terrorists-1.5899186|access-date=2021-02-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Branch|first=Legislative Services|date=2020-07-01|title=Consolidated federal laws of canada, Criminal Code|url=https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/page-14.html?txthl=providing+financial+available+services+provides+property+related+provide+invites+person+makes#s-83.03|access-date=2021-02-03|website=laws-lois.justice.gc.ca|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210932/https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/page-14.html?txthl=providing+financial+available+services+provides+property+related+provide+invites+person+makes#s-83.03|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of the listing, no person in Canada or Canadian outside Canada can knowingly deal with the property, provide financial services or facilitate any transaction for the group.<ref name=":14" /> Financial institutions cannot process payments or offer loans to known members, and are required to report property or transactions to regulators.<ref name=":02" /> The listing does not mean the group is banned or that membership is a crime.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Proud Boys among 13 groups added to Canada's list of terrorist organizations|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-proud-boys-among-13-groups-added-to-canadas-list-of-terrorist/|access-date=2021-02-03|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210853/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-proud-boys-among-13-groups-added-to-canadas-list-of-terrorist-groups/|url-status=live}}</ref> Membership of the Proud Boys is not criminalized. Providing property or financial services to a listed entity is a crime, which makes paying membership dues to the group a terrorism offence in Canada. Purchasing Proud Boys merchandise could be a criminal act, and travel restrictions may apply to people associated with the group.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Aiello|first=Rachel|date=2021-02-03|title=Canada adds Proud Boys to terror list, bringing range of legal, financial implications|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canada-adds-proud-boys-to-terror-list-bringing-range-of-legal-financial-implications-1.5293967|access-date=2021-02-04|website=CTVNews|language=en|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210931/https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canada-adds-proud-boys-to-terror-list-bringing-range-of-legal-financial-implications-1.5293967|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, participation and contribution where the purpose of this participation is to enhance the latter's ability to facilitate or carry out a terrorist activity is also criminalized. Such behavior includes recruitment of trainees, crossing an international border, and providing or offering to provide skill or expertise.<ref name=":02" />

Proud Boys Canada announced that it was dissolving on May 2, 2021, and denied that it was a terrorist or white supremacy group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/proud-boys-canada-dissolves-itself-says-it-was-never-white-supremacy-group-2021-05-02/|title=Proud Boys Canada dissolves itself, says it was never a 'white supremacy' group|date=May 2, 2021|website=Reuters}}</ref> Analysts cautioned that the group may opt to rebrand within Canada and noted that one Proud Boys chapter based in Hamilton, Ontario, started to use the name "Canada First".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Paling|first=Emma|date=May 2, 2021|title=Proud Boys Canada may have disbanded 'in name only,' researchers warn|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/proud-boys-canada-dissolves-1.6011282|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Coletta|first=Amanda|date=May 3, 2021|title=Canadian chapter of the Proud Boys, designated a terrorist group by the government, says it has 'dissolved'|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/05/03/canada-proud-boys-terrorist-group-dissolved/|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref>

==== New Zealand ====
In late June 2022, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern designated the Proud Boys and another far right group called The Base as terrorist organisations. As a result of the terror designation, anyone with property or financial dealings with these organisations face prosecution and up to seven years imprisonment under the Terrorism Suppression Act.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Zealand designates American Proud Boys and The Base terrorist organisations |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/470065/new-zealand-designates-american-proud-boys-and-the-base-terrorist-organisations |access-date=30 June 2022 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630084451/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/470065/new-zealand-designates-american-proud-boys-and-the-base-terrorist-organisations |archive-date=30 June 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Southern Poverty Law Center ===
Although he had supposedly cut his ties with the Proud Boys by November 2018, stepping down as chairman,<ref name="guardiangesture" /><ref name="heavygesture" /> McInnes filed a defamation lawsuit in February 2019 against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in federal court in Alabama over the SPLC's designation of the Proud Boys as a "general hate" group.<ref name="suit">Associated Press (February 4, 2019). [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/proud-boys-founder-gavin-mcinnes-sues-southern-poverty-law-center-n966701 "Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes sues Southern Poverty Law Center over hate group label"]. NBC News. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204204937/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/proud-boys-founder-gavin-mcinnes-sues-southern-poverty-law-center-n966701|date=February 4, 2019}}. Retrieved October 6, 2020.</ref><ref name="nprsuit">Kennedy, Merrit (February 5, 2019). [https://www.npr.org/2019/02/05/691643824/proud-boys-founder-files-defamation-lawsuit-against-southern-poverty-law-center "Proud Boys Founder Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Southern Poverty Law Center"]. NPR. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206020859/https://www.npr.org/2019/02/05/691643824/proud-boys-founder-files-defamation-lawsuit-against-southern-poverty-law-center|date=February 6, 2019}} Retrieved October 7, 2020.</ref> The SPLC took the lawsuit "as a compliment" and an indication that "we're doing our job."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Trotta|first=Daniel|title=The founder of the far-right group Proud Boys is suing the Southern Poverty Law Center for labeling his organization a hate group|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/proud-boys-founder-suing-southern-poverty-law-center-2019-2|url-status=live|access-date=October 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005030307/https://www.businessinsider.com/proud-boys-founder-suing-southern-poverty-law-center-2019-2|archive-date=October 5, 2020}}</ref> On its website, the SPLC said that "McInnes plays a duplicitous rhetorical game: rejecting white nationalism and, in particular, the term 'alt-right' while espousing some of its central tenets" and that the group's "rank-and-file [members] and leaders regularly spout white nationalist memes and maintain affiliations with known extremists. They are known for anti-Muslim and misogynistic rhetoric. Proud Boys have appeared alongside other hate groups at extremist gatherings like the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville."<ref name="SPLC" /><ref name="nprsuit" /> McInnes is represented by Ronald Coleman. In addition to defamation, McInnes claimed tortious interference with economic advantage, "false light invasion of privacy" and "aiding and abetting employment discrimination."<ref name="CHN">{{cite web|last=Jackson|first=Daniel|date=February 2, 2019|title=Proud Boys Founder Sues Over Hate-Group Label|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/proud-boys-founder-sues-over-hate-group-label/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530211600/https://www.courthousenews.com/proud-boys-founder-sues-over-hate-group-label/|archive-date=May 30, 2019|access-date=May 30, 2019|work=Courthouse News Service}}</ref> The day after filing the suit, McInnes announced that he had been re-hired by the Canadian far-right media group [[Biography:The Rebel Media|The Rebel Media]].<ref name="mediaite_2019-02-05">{{cite news|author=McLaughlin, Aidan|date=February 5, 2019|title=Gavin McInnes Hired By Conservative Canadian Network Rebel Media|newspaper=Mediaite|url=https://www.mediaite.com/online/gavin-mcinnes-hired-by-conservative-canadian-network-rebel-media/|url-status=live|access-date=February 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015203/https://www.mediaite.com/online/gavin-mcinnes-hired-by-conservative-canadian-network-rebel-media/|archive-date=February 7, 2019}}</ref> The SPLC filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in April 2019.<ref>Cushing, Tim (July 11, 2019). [https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190706/14303042525/splc-asks-court-to-toss-proud-boy-founders-defamation-lawsuit-asking-wheres-lie.shtml "SPLC Asks Court To Toss Proud Boy Founder's Defamation Lawsuit By Asking 'Where's The Lie?'"]. ''TechDirt''. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117200257/https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190706/14303042525/splc-asks-court-to-toss-proud-boy-founders-defamation-lawsuit-asking-wheres-lie.shtml|date=November 17, 2019}}. Retrieved October 7, 2020.</ref>

=== Lawsuits ===
On May 17, 2019, Bill Burke of Ohio filed a $3{{nbs}}million lawsuit against the Proud Boys, Kessler, and multiple other people and groups associated with the Unite the Right rally. Burke was seriously injured in the August 2017 Charlottesville car attack which followed the event.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Conor|date=May 19, 2019|title=Victim of Charlottesville attack sues racist groups, organizers of rally|language=en|work=The Athens NEWS|url=https://www.athensnews.com/news/local/victim-of-charlottesville-attack-sues-racist-groups-organizers-of-rally/article_5d40a2aa-7a5f-11e9-a463-afb0d146a43b.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530181357/https://www.athensnews.com/news/local/victim-of-charlottesville-attack-sues-racist-groups-organizers-of-rally/article_5d40a2aa-7a5f-11e9-a463-afb0d146a43b.html|archive-date=May 30, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite case|title=Burke v. Fields Jr. |id=2:19-cv-02006|url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/15636855/burke-v-fields-jr/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530181356/https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/15636855/burke-v-fields-jr/|archive-date=May 30, 2019|access-date=May 31, 2019|via=CourtListener|language=en-US}}</ref> The 64-page initial complaint alleges that the named parties "conspired to plan, promote and carry out the violent events in Charlottesville". According to Burke, his physical and mental injuries have led to "severe psychological and emotional suffering".<ref>{{cite news|date=May 17, 2019|title=Ohio man sues white supremacists over 2017 Virginia rally|work=Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/article/2f0e96b9cf5e492794f505d3be410707|url-status=live|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002071453/https://apnews.com/article/2f0e96b9cf5e492794f505d3be410707|archive-date=October 2, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=May 22, 2019|title=Irish American sues neo-Nazi groups after suffering injuries at Charlottesville|language=en|work=IrishCentral.com|url=https://www.irishcentral.com/news/irish-american-sues-neo-nazi-charlottesville|url-status=live|access-date=May 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530181357/https://www.irishcentral.com/news/irish-american-sues-neo-nazi-charlottesville|archive-date=May 30, 2019}}</ref>

=== Social media bans===
The Proud Boys organization has been banned by [[Company:Facebook|Facebook]], [[Software:Instagram|Instagram]], [[Company:Twitter|Twitter]], and [[Company:YouTube|YouTube]].<ref name=":4" />

== Subgroups ==
=== Fraternal Order of the Alt-Knights ===
In 2017, Kyle Chapman, nicknamed "Based Stickman" after the [[Social:2017 Berkeley protests|2017 Berkeley protests]], formed a paramilitary wing of the Proud Boys called the Fraternal Order of the Alt-Knights (FOAK).<ref name="nyt" /> Alt-right figure Augustus Sol Invictus acted as FOAK's second-in-command until he left the group.<ref name="SPLC" />

=== Canadian chapters ===
Following the attack on the United States Capitol, the Ottawa and Manitoba chapters shut down.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Manitoba Proud Boys disband following Jan. 6 violence at U.S. Capitol|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7571702/manitoba-proud-boys-disband/|access-date=2021-02-04|website=Global News|language=en-US|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210940/https://globalnews.ca/news/7571702/manitoba-proud-boys-disband/|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 2, 2021, Proud Boys Canada announced on the Proud Boys USA channel on Telegram that it has "officially dissolved".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yang|first=Jennifer|date=2021-05-02|title=Proud Boys Canada 'officially dissolved,' group says, after Ottawa labelled it a terrorist organization|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/05/02/proud-boys-canada-officially-dissolved-group-says-after-ottawa-labelled-it-a-terrorist-organization.html|access-date=2021-05-03|website=thestar.com|language=en}}</ref>

== Symbolism ==
Members of the Proud Boys can be identified by their use of black and yellow Fred Perry polo shirts, American flags, MAGA hats, and military armor. Members often carry guns.<ref>{{cite web|last=Greig|first=Finlay|date=September 30, 2020|title=Proud Boys: 'Western chauvinist' far-right group explained—and their reaction to Trump's statement 'Stand back and stand by'|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/proud-boys-western-chauvinist-far-right-group-explained-and-their-reaction-trumps-statement-stand-back-and-stand-2988105|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005003348/https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/proud-boys-western-chauvinist-far-right-group-explained-and-their-reaction-trumps-statement-stand-back-and-stand-2988105|archive-date=October 5, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|website=The Scotsman}}</ref> An ironic catchphrase used by Proud Boys is ''uhuru'', which means 'freedom' in the [[Social:Swahili language|Swahili language]].{{r|SPLC}}

During the 2021 attack on the United States Capitol, the Proud Boys shifted to wearing blaze orange hats<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Wells|first1=Georgia|last2=Ballhaus|first2=Rebecca|last3=Hagey|first3=Keach|date=2021-01-17|title=Proud Boys, Seizing Trump's Call to Washington, Helped Lead Capitol Attack|language=en-US|work={{wipe|The Wall Street Journal}}|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/proud-boys-seizing-trumps-call-to-washington-helped-lead-capitol-attack-11610911596|access-date=2021-05-05}}</ref> and all-black attire.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 15, 2021|title=Identifying far-right symbols that appeared at the U.S. Capitol riot|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/interactive/2021/far-right-symbols-capitol-riot/}}</ref>

=== Association with Fred Perry clothing ===
[[File:Proud_Boys_in_Pittsboro_(2019_Oct)_-_01.jpg|thumb|Proud Boy in a Fred Perry polo and MAGA hat at a [[Social:Neo-Confederate|neo-Confederate]] rally in 2019]]
Since the early days of the group, Proud Boys have worn black and yellow polo shirts of the {{wipe|United Kingdom}} clothing brand Fred Perry on McInnes' suggestion.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Beery|first=Zoë|title=How Fred Perry polos came to symbolize hate|url=https://theoutline.com/post/1760/fred-perry-polo-skinheads|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=The Outline|language=en|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001081545/https://theoutline.com/post/1760/fred-perry-polo-skinheads|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/29/far-right-fred-perry-mainstream-fashion-camouflage-brands|title=Why does the far right love Fred Perry? Mainstream fashion is its new camouflage|last=Miller-Idriss|first=Cynthia|date=August 29, 2019|work={{wipe|The Guardian}}|access-date=September 28, 2018|archive-date=August 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825114454/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/29/far-right-fred-perry-mainstream-fashion-camouflage-brands|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Woolf">{{cite news|url=https://www.gq.com/story/fred-perry-wants-alt-right-bros-to-stop-wearing-their-polos|title=Fred Perry Wants Alt-Right Bros to Stop Wearing Their Polos|last=Woolf|first=Jake|date=July 11, 2017|work=GQ Magazine|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=August 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831135101/https://www.gq.com/story/fred-perry-wants-alt-right-bros-to-stop-wearing-their-polos|url-status=live}}</ref> The brand, having previously been negatively associated with skinheads and the British National Front in the 1970s,<ref name="Woolf"/> issued several public statements distancing themselves from the beliefs of the Proud Boys, and calling on members to stop wearing their clothing.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/proud-boys-portland-oregon-rally-fred-perry-t-shirts-b622292.html|title=Proud Boys Portland rally: Fred Perry tells right-wing group to stop wearing its iconic T-shirts|last=Matthers|first=Matt|date=September 26, 2020|work=The Independent|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926180303/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/proud-boys-portland-oregon-rally-fred-perry-t-shirts-b622292.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Swenson|first=Kyle|date=July 10, 2017|title=Proud Boys love Fred Perry polo t-shirts. The feeling is not mutual|newspaper={{wipe|The Washington Post}}|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/07/10/the-alt-rights-proud-boys-love-fred-perry-polo-shirts-the-feeling-is-not-mutual/|url-status=live|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001023645/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/07/10/the-alt-rights-proud-boys-love-fred-perry-polo-shirts-the-feeling-is-not-mutual/}}</ref>

In 2017, Fred Perry's CEO John Flynn denounced the affiliation with the Proud Boys in a statement to CBC Radio, saying: "We don't support the ideals or the group that you speak of. It is counter to our beliefs and the people we work with."<ref name="cbc2">[http://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-edition-1.4167720/fred-perry-chairman-says-he-wants-nothing-to-do-with-gavin-mcinnes-and-his-proud-boys-1.4167728 "Fred Perry chairman says he wants nothing to do with Gavin McInnes and his Proud Boys"]. CBC Radio. July 7, 2020. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901074844/http://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-edition-1.4167720/fred-perry-chairman-says-he-wants-nothing-to-do-with-gavin-mcinnes-and-his-proud-boys-1.4167728|date=September 1, 2017}}. Retrieved October 7, 2020.</ref> The shirts have not been sold in the United States since September 2019. In September 2020, the retailer announced that it will not sell them in the United States until association with Proud Boys has ended.<ref>{{cite news|last=Demopoulos|first=Alaina|date=September 28, 2020|title=Fred Perry Pulls Polo Shirts Embraced by Proud Boys|language=en|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/fred-perry-pulls-polo-shirts-embraced-by-proud-boys|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=October 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002071350/https://www.thedailybeast.com/fred-perry-pulls-polo-shirts-embraced-by-proud-boys|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== MAGA hats ===
Proud Boys commonly wear red MAGA hats to rallies, often alongside Fred Perry black and yellow polo shirts.<ref>Maga hats:
*{{cite news|last1=Belam|first1=Martin|last2=Gabbatt|first2=Adam|date=September 30, 2020|title=Proud Boys: who are the far-right group that backs Donald Trump?|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/30/proud-boys-who-are-far-right-group-that-backs-donald-trump|url-status=live|access-date=October 1, 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=October 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011162420/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/30/proud-boys-who-are-far-right-group-that-backs-donald-trump}}
*{{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}}
*{{cite web|last=Raja|first=Tasneem|date=October 2017|others=Illustrated by Julia Rothman|title=Decoding the Language of Extremist Clothing|url=https://www.topic.com/decoding-the-language-of-extremist-clothing|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525123031/https://www.topic.com/decoding-the-language-of-extremist-clothing|archive-date=May 25, 2020|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=Topic}}
*{{cite web|title=White, male and millennial: Hate groups tap bro culture to recruit members|url=https://publicintegrity.org/politics/white-male-and-millennial-hate-groups-tap-bro-culture-to-recruit-members/|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=Center for Public Integrity|date=August 29, 2018 |archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803152328/https://publicintegrity.org/politics/white-male-and-millennial-hate-groups-tap-bro-culture-to-recruit-members|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 6MWE ===
"6MWE" is an antisemitic slogan that appears on some apparel associated with the Proud Boys. It is an acronym that means "6{{nbs}}million wasn't enough", referring to the number of Jewish Holocaust victims. The slogan may appear together with symbols of the Italian Social Republic, the Fascist government of Italy supported by [[Place:Nazi Germany|Nazi Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Is 6MWE an Anti-Semitic Proud Boys Slogan?|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/proud-boy-6mwe/|access-date=January 10, 2021|website=Snopes.com|date=December 18, 2020 |language=en-US|archive-date=December 26, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201226170235/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/proud-boy-6mwe/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ADL6MWE>[https://www.adl.org/blog/proud-boys-bigotry-is-on-full-display Proud Boys' Bigotry is on Full Display] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210759/https://www.adl.org/blog/proud-boys-bigotry-is-on-full-display |date=February 12, 2021 }}. Anti-Defamation League, December 24, 2020</ref>

On a January 7, 2021, episode of MSNBC's ''The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell'', the anchor condemned the rioters who stormed the Capitol while wearing antisemitic clothing, including one rioter who supposedly participated in the attack while wearing a shirt with the 6MWE slogan on it.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|last=Grisar|first=PJ|date=2021-01-08|title=Fact Check: The '6 Million Wasn't Enough' shirt wasn't from the Capitol siege|url=https://forward.com/fast-forward/461761/fact-check-the-6-million-wasnt-enough-shirt-wasnt-from-the-capitol-siege/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212210854/https://forward.com/fast-forward/461761/fact-check-the-6-million-wasnt-enough-shirt-wasnt-from-the-capitol-siege/|archive-date=February 12, 2021|access-date=2021-02-01|website=The Forward|language=en-US}}</ref> However, a [[Philosophy:Fact-checking|fact check]] done by ''The Forward'' found that the photo of the rioter with the slogan on his shirt had been taken at an earlier Proud Boys gathering at the Capitol in December 2020.<ref name=":9" />

== See also ==
* List of designated terrorist groups
* List of organizations designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as hate groups
* Radical right (United States)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{cite web |url=https://officialproudboys.com/ |title=Proud Boy Magazine |publisher=Official Proud Boys |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017034735/https://officialproudboys.com/ |access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 17, 2020 }} Defunct website archived for historical viewing.
{{Subject bar
|portal1        = Politics
|portal2        = United States
|commons        = Yes
|commons-search = Category:Proud Boys
|d              = Yes
|d-search       = Q29096457
|q              = Yes
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[[Category:Organizations (Social)]]
[[Category:Organizations|Social]]

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