President Trump asked the Proud Boys to 'stand by.' Who are they?

By Ted Hesson and Kristina Cooke

 

FILE PHOTO: Members of the far-right group Proud Boys attend a rally in Portland, Oregon, U.S. September 26, 2020. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

 

WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - President Donald Trump, asked if he would denounce white supremacists and militia groups during Tuesday night's U.S. presidential debate, told the right-wing group the Proud Boys to "stand back and stand by."

 

WHO ARE THE PROUD BOYS?

The Proud Boys were established during the 2016 U.S. election by Vice Media co-founder and Canadian-British right-wing activist Gavin McInnes, who has since distanced himself from the group.

 

The group likely has several hundred members with chapters in most states and some other countries, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an anti-hate organization. They drew media attention in late 2018 after a violent confrontation with left-wing protesters in New York City, and returned to the spotlight during protests in recent months.

 

They describe themselves as a male-only club of "Western chauvinists" who "refuse to apologize for creating the modern world." The group, whose membership is multiracial, has been called out for misogynistic, anti-Muslim and anti-immigration rhetoric by advocates who monitor extremism.

 

Group members tend to adhere to an ideology that rejects overt white supremacy but embraces chauvinism, according to the ADL.

 

Last year, two members of the group were sentenced to four years in prison for their role in a violent 2018 brawl with anti-fascist protesters following a speech by McInnes at a Republican club in New York City.

 

WHY WERE THEY MENTIONED DURING THE DEBATE?

Debate moderator Chris Wallace asked Trump if he was willing to condemn white supremacists and militia groups and tell them to “stand down” and not add to violence during recent protests in U.S. cities such as Portland, Oregon, and Kenosha, Wisconsin.

 

Trump agreed to do that, asking, "Who would you like me to condemn?” Biden interjected: "The Proud Boys."

 

Trump then urged the Proud Boys to "stand back and stand by," but quickly turned the conversation to antifa, a left-wing anti-facist ideology, whose adherents he has blamed for violence at protests in recent months.

 

In a Proud Boys channel on the messaging app Telegram, members shared a version of their logo that included the words "stand back, stand by" following Trump's remarks.

 

Joe Biggs, a Proud Boys member, celebrated the group’s mention on the social media platform Parler, saying: "President Trump told the proud boys to stand by because someone needs to deal with ANTIFA...well sir! we’re ready!!"

 

On Wednesday, Trump walked back his remarks at the White House, telling reporters he was not familiar with the Proud Boys, but that the group should let law enforcement do its work.

 

HOW ARE THE PROUD BOYS TIED TO RECENT U.S. PROTESTS?

The group has clashed violently with Black Lives Matter and antifa demonstrators in Portland and other cities in recent months. At rallies, members are often clad in black and yellow polo shirts, wear body armor, and carry weapons, including firearms, paintball guns and baseball bats.

 

Before a Proud Boys rally in Portland last Saturday, Oregon's Democratic Governor Kate Brown declared a weekend state of emergency for the city, citing an imminent risk of civil disturbance that threatened injury or loss of life.

 

The rally, which attracted hundreds of Proud Boys supporters, was largely peaceful, but police and left-wing protesters later clashed in downtown Portland.

 

ARE THE PROUD BOYS A HATE GROUP?

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), another anti-hate advocacy organization, labeled the Proud Boys a hate group in 2018. McInnes sued the organization over the hate designation in February 2019, saying it was "purposefully deceitful" and meant to hurt his reputation.

 

The case is still ongoing and lawyers for both parties did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

 

Oregon's Governor Brown criticized the Proud Boys in a tweet on Wednesday. "Let's be clear: The Proud Boys are white supremacists," she said. "Racism and hate are not forms of patriotism."

 

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington and Kristina Cooke in Los Angeles; editing by Jonathan Oatis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-10-01

 

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Kind of ironic really. A white supremacy group whose membership is multi-racial. 

25 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Kind of ironic really. A white supremacy group whose membership is multi-racial. 

Where does it say that they are a white supremacy group?  The article says "Group members tend to adhere to an ideology that rejects overt white supremacy but embraces chauvinism, according to the ADL."

3 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Where does it say that they are a white supremacy group?  The article says "Group members tend to adhere to an ideology that rejects overt white supremacy but embraces chauvinism, according to the ADL."

WHY WERE THEY MENTIONED DURING THE DEBATE?

Debate moderator Chris Wallace asked Trump if he was willing to condemn white supremacists and militia groups and tell them to “stand down” and not add to violence during recent protests in U.S. cities such as Portland, Oregon, and Kenosha, Wisconsin.

 

Trump agreed to do that, asking, "Who would you like me to condemn?” Biden interjected: "The Proud Boys."

 

 

Tell that to joe.

Great group for trump to express support. Member convicted for street violence, self-admitted chauvinists. Members (vigilantes) often clad in black and yellow polo shirts, wear body armour, and carry weapons, including firearms, paintball guns and baseball bats; excellent example of the American people - not.

4 minutes ago, simple1 said:

Great group for trump to express support. Member convicted for street violence, self-admitted chauvinists. Members (vigilantes) often clad in black and yellow polo shirts, wear body armour, and carry weapons, including firearms, paintball guns and baseball bats; excellent example of the American people - not.

As opposed to Antifa and blm. Shall we compare dollar for dollar on damage done during protests. How many buildings have the Boys burnt down? How many police have the Boys assaulted?

7 hours ago, webfact said:

On Wednesday, Trump walked back his remarks at the White House, telling reporters he was not familiar with the Proud Boys, but that the group should let law enforcement do its work.

 

Also believe WH/campaign spin is that "trump misspoke".

 

VP Biden was quoting trump-appointed FBI Director Wray's sworn Congressional testimony from the past few weeks. Don't like it, fire another FBI Director.

 

FBI director says antifa is an ideology, not an organization

 

https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-race-and-ethnicity-archive-bdd3b6078e9efadcfcd0be4b65f2362e

 

Edited October 1, 20205 yr by onthedarkside
quote from hidden post removed

29 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

As opposed to Antifa and blm. Shall we compare dollar for dollar on damage done during protests. How many buildings have the Boys burnt down? How many police have the Boys assaulted?

 

Deflection. the point is Proud Boys are outsiders i.e. vigilantes. A president expressing support for violent vigilantes is unacceptable. As to comments above, Antifa is not designated as a domestic terrorist organisation, right now it's only a claim made by trump. In recent years right wing domestic terror attacks / murders have by far exceeded the 'left' yet we heard nothing on this issue by trump.

Edited October 1, 20205 yr by simple1

1 minute ago, simple1 said:

Deflection. the point is Proud Boys are outsiders i.e. vigilantes. A president expressing support for violent vigilantes is unacceptable.

No deflection just truth. Again, as opposed to support for blm and antifa. Oh that's right, joe wasn't asked about his association with those groups.

Joe couldn't name one Law Enforcement group who is backing him. Very telling about who joe supports.

Masogynistic anti immigrant Muslim haters geessse sounds just like trump no wonder he couldn’t bring himself to condemn them imo they sound like a bunch of ignorant thugs when we change administrations this January they will slink back under a rock we’re the belong and evinkeel check your bilge you are listing again when joe tryed to answere trump was blabbering out of turn

Edited October 1, 20205 yr by Tug

7 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

No deflection just truth. Again, as opposed to support for blm and antifa. Oh that's right, joe wasn't asked about his association with those groups.

Unlike trump, Biden condemned all political violence.

Gee wizzz and there I thought Antifa was an anti fascist idea and at best a lose association of like minded folks that don’t like fascism 

Edited October 1, 20205 yr by Scott

7 minutes ago, simple1 said:

Unlike trump, Biden condemned all political violence.

How very political of him.

16 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Joe couldn't name one Law Enforcement group who is backing him. Very telling about who joe supports.

Well here's 175:   
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-endorsements-law-enforcement

 

 

7 minutes ago, Tug said:

Gee wizzz and there I thought Antifa was an anti fascist idea and at best a lose association of like minded folks that don’t like fascism 

I can't think of a better example of fascists in America than Antifa

Off-topic, troll, and posts with misinformation have been removed.  

 

Antifa is not an organization and it has not been designated as a terrorist organization.  

19 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

Calling Antifa a Marxist terrorist group does not fit the left wing narrative. 

Projection and deflection is though. 

Also completely inaccurate. They're Anarchists not Marxists.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proud_Boys

 

"The Proud Boys is a far-right neo-fascist male-only organization that promotes and engages in political violence."

1 hour ago, canuckamuck said:

All they have done is put a beating on some domestic terrorists. 

I never heard of this group until biden mentioned it!

The last 4 months I have been preoccupied on other groups deeds that the  media presented!

Edited October 1, 20205 yr by riclag

Just now, riclag said:

I never heard of this group until biden mentioned it!

The last 4 months I have been preoccupied on other groups deeds that the  media presented!

You should look at other media outlets besides Fox News.

I'm a liberal and condemn antifa more than proud boys and perhaps KKK. Those ignorant punks have

served to make protests, BLM delegitimized in eyes of general public. Doesn't take lots of these usually young, usually white suburban dolts to shift focus and give those opposed to dealing with issues of race and justice and out.

Antifa couldn't be more in service of white racists if they were on the payroll of KKK

34 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Joe couldn't name one Law Enforcement group who is backing him. Very telling about who joe supports.

Trump

claimed to have the support of the Sheriff of Portland, there is no ‘Sheriff of Portland’.

 

Portland is under Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office – and it’s run by Sheriff Mike Reese.

 

Sheriff Mike Reese has responded with a categorical denial of ever having supported Trump.

 

Just another Trump lie.

 

So many loons. Many type. 

4 minutes ago, Emdog said:

I'm a liberal and condemn antifa more than proud boys and perhaps KKK. Those ignorant punks have

served to make protests, BLM delegitimized in eyes of general public. Doesn't take lots of these usually young, usually white suburban dolts to shift focus and give those opposed to dealing with issues of race and justice and out.

Antifa couldn't be more in service of white racists if they were on the payroll of KKK

Loons, so many loons

49 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

No deflection just truth. Again, as opposed to support for blm and antifa. Oh that's right, joe wasn't asked about his association with those groups.

He has no association with either, cos neither are organizations, and if you think Biden is somehow on the left you are having a laugh 

21 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

They've been here for a long time. Their lack of self-awareness regarding their own racism and hate is astounding.

 

A changing world always leaves behind those who can't cope, and history ALWAYS shows them to be quite ignorant.

 

Just look at some of the old-tyme lynching and cross-burning pictures and videos. Can't be posted here.

 

I mean trump's father was arrested or detained when attending a Klan rally in Queens, NY in 1927. Apple, tree.

 

 

 

 

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2019/mar/28/facebook-posts/heres-whats-known-about-fred-trumps-arrest-after-k/

 

You still have time to pull it

5 minutes ago, riclag said:

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2019/mar/28/facebook-posts/heres-whats-known-about-fred-trumps-arrest-after-k/

 

You still have time to pull it

Correct. The evidence against Fred Trump on this score is very thin.

Troll posts and replies removed.  

 

11 minutes ago, polpott said:

Yes very noticeable how, at the end of the debate, Biden's wife was warm and supportive to him and Trumps wife was cold and distant towards him.

Melania’s read the news, she now knows what the rest of us know, Trump is a penniless debtor.

 

None of the numbers in her pre-nup’ have any meaning.