How Antifascists Exposed Proud Boys Gaining Power within the Local GOP in Miami

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In this episode of the It’s Going Down podcast, we spoke with someone from Miami Against Fascism, about how antifascists were able to expose a growing alliance between the neo-fascist pro-Trump street gang the Proud Boys and the Miami-Dade Republican party. This story has now been picked up by the New York Times and Proud Boys involved in local GOP politics in Miami have even been featured in the recent January 6th hearings in DC.

LONG AWAITED – Today we reveal the depth of far-right extremism inside the Miami-Dade GOP — including 7 Proud Boys, multiple J6 participants + numerous associates serving on their executive committee.

Grab your cafecito, this will be a big one. 🔥☕️

1/🧵 pic.twitter.com/5pcwo1HNYd

— Miami Against Fascism 🌴☕️ (@MIAagainstFash) June 1, 2022

Currently, at least 7 members of the executive committee of the Miami-Dade Republican Party are also members of the Proud Boys. Of these, five members also took part in the storming of the DC capitol on January 6th and currently three face criminal charges from the attempted coup.

Unite the Right attendee, leader of the Proud Boys + Latinos for Trump organizer interviewed the great nephew of US backed dictator Augusto Pinochet, while praising his regime which carried out human rights violations, mass murder + outlawed unions. https://t.co/ygHxnRY4az

— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) July 16, 2021

During our discussion, we talk about how the Proud Boys grew under the leadership of Enrique Tarrio; currently one of the main leaders of the gang, currently in jail on sedition charges, and also an organizer with Latinos for Trump, and how the group built off the legacy of militant anti-communism in the Miami area.

The Proud Boys, led by Enrique Tarrio, arrested today in DC, have built a bridge between the Alt-Right + the Trump wing of the GOP. While they include men of color, their ideology is centered around white hegemony + patriarchy + celebrating violence against 'the Left.' A thread. pic.twitter.com/lM2Qj7a7wU

— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) January 5, 2021

We also discuss lessons for others antifascists and how the Proud Boys and other far-Right groups fit into the wider political terrain in Florida, as Governor DeSantis pushes a wide variety of far-Right attacks on education, LGBTQ people and beyond.

More Info: Miami Against Fascism and New York Times article.

photo: Miami Against Fascism