A video circulating on Reddit shows that the infamous “Proud Boys” are alive and well, particularly when it comes to harassing protestors. The video, taken at a peaceful protest in Ewing, New Jersey, shows not one, but multiple Proud Boys intimidating protestors. As the video progresses, their behavior only worsens.
“How much you making today, like $25?” One of the Proud Boys taunts a protester, insinuating that the protester is low-income. As the person behind the camera says, “Let’s not engage,” a fellow protester fires back. They comment on the Proud Boys covering their faces, implying they’re afraid to be recorded and identified. Hearing this, the group becomes hostile and begins cursing the protestors.
In the background, you can hear the protestors telling the Proud Boys to back up and stop touching their signs. As it goes on, the protest leader keeps telling the protestors not to engage. “This isn’t their country,” they can be heard saying. “It belongs to everyone who lives here.” At the end of the video, they add, “We are not afraid of people who believe this country should only look a certain way. So we are here to say we protect our community members.”
Those who watched the video showed far less restraint than the protestors. “So proud they don’t want to be identified in public for their pride,” one user comments. “Proud Boys that couldn’t get hired by ICE? That’s the bottom of the barrel right there,” another says. Another replies, “Are they going to avoid black neighborhoods again, since that’s where they get resistance? Or targeting the elderly and women, as usual?”
As the thread continues, the comments become increasingly aggressive toward the Proud Boys. “‘How much are they paying you? 25$?’ No, bleep, I hate you for free.” One user defends the protestors while also condemning the local police. “Cops will see ICE dragging pregnant women out of their cars by their hair and do nothing. You do not owe the Proud Boys politeness,” they said. “There is nothing polite about letting racists spew hatred. There is nothing polite about debating them. Do not act like racists have a platform that they are allowed to defend. Human rights are not a political issue.”
