Who are the Proud Boys, the far-right group that Donald Trump mentioned in the presidential debate?

Team Udayavani, Oct 2, 2020, 12:13 PM IST

Donald Trump in his presidential debate mentioned the far-right Proud Boys group. He urged the group to “stand back and stand by”

Trump’s refusal to condemn white supremacists during the debate, and his suggestion that the Proud Boys “stand by” during the current 2020 election campaign sent shockwaves through American politics.

According to leaked assessments of the organization from federal, state and local agencies, the group is seen as a dangerous organization by law enforcement

Proud Boys

According to Indian Express, The all-male neo-fascist group was founded in 2016 by Vice Media co-founder and Canadian-British right-wing activist Gavin McInnes.

Proud Boys and leaders regularly spout white nationalist memes and maintain affiliations with known extremists. They have appeared alongside other hate groups at extremist gatherings like the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville.

According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the group is also known for anti-transgender, anti-immigration and anti-Semitic views.

As reported by USA today, The group’s current leader Enrique Tarrio, an Afro-Cuban, recently said that the group has “longstanding regulations prohibiting racist, white supremacist or violent activity”

They claim that they do not support white supremacists, and merely banded together to oppose the activities of the anti-fascist movement known as Antifa.

But members of the group are often seen at rallies carrying guns and bats and a few have even been convicted of violent crimes against left-wing groups and activists.