Updated January 5, 2021, 9:59 p.m.
- Right-wing Proud Boys demonstrate in Washington, DC.
- Police fear outbreaks of violence during protests.
- Head of the Proud Boys arrested.
Before the final confirmation of Joe Biden as the new US President, the notorious Proud Boys march in Washington. The supporters of the right-wing group support the elected President Donald Trump and want to torpedo the Congress vote scheduled for Wednesday. But shortly before the start of the protests, which were expected with concern the police arrested the head of the Proud Boys who had specially traveled from Florida.
Enrique Tarrio, 36, is said to have protested in December a Black Lives Matter poster stolen from an African American church in Washington and burned to have. The Proud Boys boss is also accused of having two magazines for automatic weapons with him at the time of his arrest, which is prohibited in the US capital.
Founded in 2016
The Proud Boys (for example: the proud guys or proud boys) were founded by right-wing activists and journalists in 2016 Gavin McInnes founded. The civil rights organization Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) classifies the group as a “hate group”, as anti-Islam, anti-immigrant, misogynist and violent. The founder McInnes, on the other hand, simply describes the Proud Boys as “pro-western brotherhood”who oppose the political correctness of the liberal camp.
The Proud Boys reject the accusation of racism against Proud Boysar; Observers point out, however, that members repeatedly share and post racist comments on the Internet Parade of racist groups participate, for example at the infamous march by right-wing extremists in Charlottesville in 2017.
On the verge of the anti-racism movement Black Lives Matter Last year, Proud Boys, some of whom were armed, appeared again and again. It came to Clashes with activists of the left anti-fascist movement.
Trump does not distance himself from right-wing extremists
In the dispute over the outcome of the presidential election on November 3, the Proud Boys are firmly on the side of the elected incumbent Trump. The President himself repeatedly looked for that Closing ranks with the radical right. His appeal in the first television duel with his chosen challenger Biden caused a stir: “Proud Boys – hold back and be ready”, said Trump, alluding to militant protests.
The Right-wing populist was actually asked in the debate to distance oneself from racist groups. Instead, Trump showed once more closeness to right-wing extremists, only after severe criticism did he withdraw his remarks a day later.
Trump: get ready
After the TV debate, the Proud Boys were enthusiastic about Trump’s statements and published their logo on the Internet with the words “Hold back and be ready”. Now they are mobilizing for the protests from Tuesday in Washington – together with Trump, who called on his supporters to participate via the online service Twitter.
In view of the tense situation, the police fear that the protests will increase Outbreaks of violence could come. She announced that armed demonstrators such as Proud Boys boss Tarrio would be arrested. (mss / afp)