The Proud Boys have been operating for several years and gained national notoriety when then-President Donald Trump shouted them out during a debate with Joe Biden. Since then, the group has been involved in several provocative or violent incidents. In addition to the attack on Metropolitan AME Church, leader Enrique Terrio also attacked the Asbury United Methodist Church that same night, burning its Black Lives Matter banner; he was ultimately convicted and sent to prison in that case. Tarrio was in jail for the Asbury attack when several other members of the Proud Boys participated in the Jan. 6 insurrection the following month. In May, four members of the Proud Boys, including Tarrio and Biggs, were convicted of seditious conspiracy for their role in the Jan. 6 attacks, with Bertino providing testimony against them.

Even with these losses in court, the Proud Boys remain a prominent and threatening force of the far-right. They seem to have connections with other right-wing groups, such as Moms for Liberty, and together these organizations are forming an ecosystem of far-right movements that challenge American democracy and values. With their extremist goals and aggressive tactics, members of the Proud Boys and other similar organizations may face more court appearances.

Proud Boys

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