About our Proud Boys news
Latest news on the Proud Boys, a far-right, white nationalist, male-only organization that encourages and engages in political violence. They are known for their involvement in the US Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, which was an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
The Proud Boys were founded in 2016 by Gavin McInnes, a Canadian-British media personality and former co-founder of Vice Media. They describe themselves as "Western chauvinists" who oppose feminism, multiculturalism, and political correctness. They have chapters in the US, Canada, Australia, and other countries.
The Proud Boys have been involved in several violent clashes with left-wing activists, such as Antifa, in cities like Portland, Berkeley, and Washington DC. They have also participated in rallies supporting former US president Donald Trump, such as the "Stop the Steal" campaign that falsely claimed the 2020 election was rigged.
On January 6, 2021, hundreds of Proud Boys members joined the mob that stormed the US Capitol to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden's victory. They were among the first to breach the building, using stolen police shields and equipment to break windows and doors. They also confronted and attacked law enforcement officers who tried to stop them.
Five Proud Boys members, including former national chairman Enrique Tarrio, were convicted of various charges related to the Capitol riot in May 2021. Four of them were found guilty of seditious conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Tarrio was also charged with burning a Black Lives Matter banner and possessing high-capacity firearm magazines.
Two former Proud Boys leaders, Joseph Biggs and Zachary Rehl, were sentenced to 17 and 15 years in prison respectively on September 1, 2021 for their roles in the Capitol attack. They were accused of coordinating dozens of Proud Boys members as they marched on the Capitol, broke police lines, and forced lawmakers to flee. They expressed regret for their actions but also blamed being "seduced by the crowd".
Another former Proud Boys leader, Ethan Nordean, was also sentenced to 18 years in prison on September 1, 2021 for his role in the Capitol riot. He was described as "the undisputed leader on the ground" who helped tear down a fence and led a group of nearly 200 men toward the Capitol. He told the judge he now sees January 6 as a "complete and utter tragedy".