The Proud Boys - or Proud Boys - is a fanatical group of white supremacists whom civil rights organizations classify as a hate group whose members believe in violent crime and who came into the spotlight during the US presidential debate.
The German website DW reported that during the first US presidential debate on Tuesday, President Donald Trump did not condemn white racist groups and their role in fueling violence in US cities this summer.
The site noted that the Broad Boys was founded in 2016 by British Canadian right-wing activist Gavin McCain, and has since distanced himself from the group.
An all-male organization, it describes itself as a haven for "Western chauvinists," and has a history of street violence against left-wing groups and activists, with a reference to a song from the musical version of the Disney cartoon "Aladdin" in its name.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, members of this group made anti-women comments and openly supported rape.
The association said the group also promoted views against Muslims, Semites, transgender people and immigration.
"While the group can be described as violent, nationalist, anti-Muslim, transgender and anti-women, its members represent a range of ethnic backgrounds and its leaders vehemently protest any allegations of racism," the association added.
In case anyone has any doubts, the Brad Boys are a virulent strain of American right-wing extremism with a long track record of violence.
Like the Boogaloo Boys - another far-right group known to wear Hawaiian shirts - the Brad Boys also adopted a favorite uniform of polo shirts and red hats bearing the slogan "Make America Great Again," and they also usually sing the word "" Uhuru means "freedom" in Swahili.
A member of the Proud Boys wearing a jacket with the word "Uhuru" which means "freedom" in Swahili (Reuters)
Membership is usually controlled by the local branch leadership, and it can have affiliation rituals. The group is more present and active in public rallies and protests, and many of its members have been convicted of violent crimes.
The group coordinated with other hate groups in far-right rallies, such as the "Unite the Right" in Charlottesville, Carolina, in 2017.
Former group member Jason Kessler also helped organize the event that brought together members of the Ku Klux Klan, other racist groups and militias.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, "the Broad Boys bear many of the hallmarks of the gang, and its members have participated in multiple acts of violence and intimidation and brutality."
In recent months, its members have quarrels with people who have demonstrated in Portland, Oregon and other cities that have hosted major US protests.
And in 2018, 10 of its members were accused of attacking protesters outside a Republican party event in New York City after they were filmed beating protesters outside the Metropolitan Republic Club.
Two of the members were sentenced to 4 years in prison for the attacks, and convicted of attempted gang assault and other charges.
"In case anyone has any doubts, the Brad Boys are a virulent strain of American right-wing extremism, and they have a track record of violence, including what happened in Portland last weekend," Anti-Defamation League President Jonathan Greenblatt wrote on Twitter. .