Portland, OR, just can’t seem to escape Antifa members who love to cause mayhem wherever they go. Wearing masks and helmets, and armed with bear spray and shields (among other items that could be used as weapons), the group is loud, insulting, threatening, and oftentimes violent. And, once again, they have gathered en masse to protest. The assembly was prompted by a Proud Boys rally to “end Domestic Terrorism” on Aug. 17, which directed much of its attention to the black-clad troupe, claiming that it should be recognized as a domestic terrorist organization.
Thirteen individuals were arrested and six injured, although only minor injuries were reported – thankfully. Intimidation and threats were still prevalent, especially on the part of Antifa members who were there as a counter-protest to the Proud Boys rally.
Antifa Vs. Proud Boys
Wearing Fred Perry shirts, MAGA hats, and flags as capes, the Proud Boys sang the national anthem and chanted “USA” while planting a flag in the ground. The group then proceeded on its march to protest domestic terrorism. The actual protest only lasted about an hour and 20 minutes. According to Proud Boys rally organizer Joe Biggs, that was all the time the group needed, as it had achieved its goal of bringing attention to domestic terrorism.
“Go look at President Trump’s Twitter,” Biggs said. “He talked about Portland, said he’s watching Antifa. That’s all we wanted. We wanted national attention, and we got it. Mission success.” Indeed, the president did comment that his administration was paying close attention to the event.
The president’s tweet ended the protest for the Proud Boys, but not so much for Antifa. The group continued to harass and follow rally attendees who were leaving. Counterprotesters chased the Proud Boys’ bus, throwing things and breaking windows. Wearing masks, they converged on Proud Boys supporters, slinging insults and threats.
In one particular video, a man and young girl seem to have been separated from their group, and a mob of Antifa members chase them for blocks, threatening, yelling and intimidating.
Who are the Proud Boys?
Proud Boys seem extreme to some, though members deny being an alt-right group. According to its website, the organization is made up of “Western chauvinists who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world.” The group says, “Like Archie Bunker, we long for the days when ‘girls were girls and men were men.’ This wasn’t controversial even twenty years ago, but being proud of Western culture today is like being a crippled, black, lesbian communist in 1953.”
Only men are allowed to become members, but there is a large women’s group called Proud Boys’ Girls. Membership has grown for both groups, which the website says is a testament to the movement’s popularity:
“The fact that this group has exploded so quickly is a testament to how completely finished young American men and women are with the apology culture. Men have tried being ashamed of themselves and accepting blame for slavery, the wage gap, ableism, and some f*g-bashing that went on two generations ago, but it didn’t work. So they’re going with their gut and indulging in the natural pride that comes from being part of the greatest culture in the world. It’s very freeing to finally admit the West is the best. That’s because it’s the truth.”
Which Group is More Violent?
MSM news outlets may spin the tale to portray a situation where the right-wing group caused all the issues, yet videos posted on the internet tell a different story. A Vice News story painted a vivid image of an out-of-control gang converging on the streets, describing “Far-right protesters, led by fascist street-fighting gang the Proud Boys…” Yet Antifa was the group caught on camera committing most of the violence.
As the media continues to spin the narrative about the big, bad, Proud Boys, Antifa meanwhile continued to disrupt Portland hours after the other group left. The so-called “anti-fascists” spent the ensuing time doing what they do best – mayhem, insults, threats, and violence.
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Read more from Kelli Ballard.
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