Proud Boys
Overview
The Proud Boys is a far-right, neo-fascist organization founded in 2016 by Gavin McInnes. The group promotes political violence and has been involved in numerous street confrontations. The Southern Poverty Law Center designates it as a hate group.
Connection to Gangstalking
Proud Boys have been identified as participants in vigilante extremism:
Gangstalkers are also usually tied to racism and/or vigilante extremism (e.g., Proud Boys, Militias, Vigilantes and/or Punisher Fans).
Organizational Characteristics
Structure
- National leadership
- Regional chapters
- Local cells
- Online coordination
Membership Tiers
- First degree: "Proud of your western heritage"
- Second degree: Naming five breakfast cereals while being beaten
- Third degree: Getting a tattoo
- Fourth degree: Committing violence for the cause
Tactics Relevant to Gangstalking
Street Operations
- Coordinated group movements
- Physical intimidation
- Surveillance of opponents
- Disruption tactics
Community Intimidation
- Presence at public events
- Targeting of political opponents
- Property intimidation
- Online harassment campaigns
Network Coordination
- Cross-chapter communication
- Rapid mobilization capabilities
- Intelligence sharing
- Operational coordination
Criminal Activities
January 6 Involvement
Multiple Proud Boys leaders have been convicted for their role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, including:
- Seditious conspiracy
- Obstruction of Congress
- Assaulting law enforcement
Street Violence
The organization has been involved in:
- Street fights with counter-protesters
- Intimidation campaigns
- Property destruction
- Assault
Integration with Extremist Networks
Overlapping Membership
Proud Boys maintain connections with:
- Other militia groups
- White supremacist organizations
- QAnon followers
- Anti-government extremists
Coordination for Harassment
These connections enable:
- Multi-group harassment campaigns
- Cross-jurisdictional coordination
- Resource sharing
- Intelligence pooling
Why Extremists Participate in Gangstalking
Ideological Justification
Extremists may be told targets are:
- "Threats to national security"
- "Enemies of the people"
- "Subversives"
- "Domestic terrorists"
Infrastructure Access
Some Proud Boys members have:
- Law enforcement positions
- Government employment
- Security industry access
- Community watch involvement
Quotes
Gangstalkers are also usually tied to racism and/or vigilante extremism (e.g., Proud Boys, Militias, Vigilantes and/or Punisher Fans). ~ Progressionforever