The Proud Boys is a [far-right](https://doctorparadox.net/tag/right-wing/), neo-fascist organization that originated in the United States in 2016. The group was founded by Gavin McInnes, a Canadian-British right-wing activist and co-founder of Vice Media. The Proud Boys have been described as a misogynistic, anti-immigrant, and Islamophobic organization that promotes [white nationalism](https://doctorparadox.net/save-democracy/right-wing-ideologies/white-nationalist-beliefs/) and opposes [political correctness](https://doctorparadox.net/dictionaries/authoritarianism/cancel-culture/). They claim to be a "Western chauvinist" group that advocates for traditional gender roles and the preservation of "Western culture." The group has been known to engage in street violence and has been classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. ## Proud Boys' rap sheet The Proud Boys have been involved in several high-profile incidents, including the [[Unite the Right rally]] in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, where they marched alongside other far-right groups and white supremacists. Members of the group have also been involved in violent clashes with left-wing protesters in cities such as Portland, Oregon, and New York City. They were also instrumental in the [January 6 assault on the capitol](https://doctorparadox.net/dagger-at-the-throat-of-america/), with several of the group's leaders receiving historically rare convictions for [[seditious conspiracy]] following the coup attempt by [[Donald Trump]] and his cronies. The group has been banned from several social media platforms, including [Facebook](https://doctorparadox.net/category/technology/facebook/), Twitter, and Instagram, and has faced legal challenges in Canada and the United States. Despite this, the Proud Boys continue to operate and have established chapters in several countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. See also: [[nationalism]]