Proud Boys Designated A Terror Organization In Canada

The far-right, self-described group of “western chauvinists” have been linked to hateful, racist rhetoric and include ardent supporters of Donald Trump.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wearing attire associated with the Proud Boys attend a rally on Freedom Plaza on Dec 12, 2020, in Washington, D.C. | AP Images
Supporters of President Donald Trump wearing attire associated with the Proud Boys attend a rally on Freedom Plaza on Dec 12, 2020, in Washington, D.C. | AP Images

The Proud Boys have been designated a terrorist group in Canada, joining the country's list of other terror organizations such as al-Qaeda, ISIS, and al-Shabab. Several other far-right organizations were also newly included in the country's list, according to Public Safety Minister Bill Blair.

“Violent extremism has no place in Canada,” Blair wrote on Twitter. “Today, we announced that 13 additional groups have met the threshold to be listed as terrorist entities in Canada. These additions include four groups whose violent extremism is motivated by hateful ideologies.”

The designation comes weeks after members of the extremist group took part in the violent pro-Trump U.S. Capitol insurrection. According to the Washington Post, the designation allows police to “seize the property of the group or its members” and permits banks to do the same with their assets. Law enforcement can also reportedly charge individuals for providing support “to facilitate or carry out attacks.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center classifies the Proud Boys as a hate group, and its members have appeared at extremist rallies and been linked to white nationalist, anti-Semitic, and misogynistic rhetoric. Its leader, Enrique Tarrio, was arrested in Washington, D.C. last month, just days before the Capitol insurrection. Tarrio was accused of lighting a Black Lives Matter banner that belonged to a historically Black church during a December 12 rally in support of former President Donald Trump.

Founded in 2016 by Canadian and Vice Media co-founder Gavin McInnes, Proud Boys describe themselves as an all-male group of “Western chauvinists” and have a “history of street violence,” The Post notes.

Ashleigh Carter contributed to this report.