Following a Manhattan Republican Club meeting, violence erupted between pro-Trump, proto-fascist group the Proud Boys and anti-fascist protesters, resulting in three arrests.
Journalists Sandi Bachom and Shay Horse captured video footage and photos of the violent clash on Friday. Before the incident, Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes (who is also the co-founder of Vice Media and Vice Magazine) gave a speech in front of other Republicans at the Metropolitan Republican Club, the GOP’s headquarters in New York City.
Viewers can overhear Proud Boys members scream in the footage: “Do you feel brave now, f****t?” According to HuffPost, the incident began when three anti-fascist protesters knocked a MAGA hat off of a Proud Boy group member's head.
The skirmish turned into an all-out assault when 30 Proud Boys ran out of the club and jumped the vastly outnumbered anti-fascist protesters.
"It wasn't really a fight, because the three people never really got a chance to even stand up," Horse said.
“Kill more nazis!” Outside the metropolitan republican club now with a pretty big anti-fascist mobilization. pic.twitter.com/21XhGaFc0g
— Shay Horse (@HuntedHorse) October 12, 2018
So followed the proud boys as they left the event. About 1-2 blocks away a 30 (proud boys) V 3 (randoms) fight broke out. It ended with 30 proud boys pummeling a guy on the ground screaming “ARE YOU BRAVE NOW FAGGOT?!” Going home now to file and edit the shots
— Shay Horse (@HuntedHorse) October 13, 2018
I haven’t seen a fight that violent in a long time. The proud boys were totally ready and willing to be violent tonight. They didn’t even wear masks.
— Shay Horse (@HuntedHorse) October 13, 2018
This is one of those nights where things seem even more fucked up when editing/reviewing my photos. It wasn’t until I wanna editing that I realized how many fights were happening at once. pic.twitter.com/rRcXV5nXWJ
— Shay Horse (@HuntedHorse) October 13, 2018
CBS News reports the New York Police Department is unclear if the three men arrested were connected to either group. However, it confirmed two 20-year-olds and a 35-year-old were apprehended. Two of them were charged with assault and robbery, and another charged with resisting arrest.
But as more footage is released, more arrests may be made.
"Authorities must review these videos immediately and make arrests and prosecute as appropriate," Gov. Andrew Cuomo, said. "Hate cannot and will not be tolerated in New York."
The Associated Press describes the far-right group as a white supremacist group comprised of only men and has been identified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Proud Boys refer to themselves as "western chauvinists."
In addition to the violence, Proud Boys members posed for a photo in celebration. There was also reported damage to the club, according to the AP, which included smashed windows, a spray-painted door and a glued keypad lock.
"It is revolting to see white supremacists commit a hate crime on the streets of New York City — in full view of the NYPD — and for none of them to be arrested or prosecuted," City Councilman Rory Lancman said.
As of Sunday night, the NYPD has been seeking three Proud Boys members as persons of interest in the incident.
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