Hate Group May Be Planning To Rally In Kalamazoo This Weekend
If you've never heard of Proud Boys, you need to understand that these people are a threat to any community like Kalamazoo, that embraces people of any back-round, sexual alignment, or religion. They describe themselves as "western chauvinists” who adamantly deny any connection to the racist “alt-right,” but what they actually are, is a dangerous hate group. The Southern Poverty Law Center describes the group on their website, stating:
Their disavowals of bigotry are belied by their actions: rank-and-file Proud Boys and leaders regularly spout white nationalist memes and maintain affiliations with known extremists. They are known for anti-Muslim and misogynistic rhetoric. Proud Boys have appeared alongside other hate groups at extremist gatherings like the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville. Indeed, former Proud Boys member Jason Kessler helped to organize the event, which brought together Klansmen, antisemites, Southern racists, and militias. Kessler was only “expelled” from the group after the violence and near-universal condemnation of the Charlottesville rally-goers.
Recently it was discovered on Reddit that someone saw a post, warning that they would be marching in downtown Kalamazoo. The reaction online to this news quickly turned worrisome, as a counter protest is currently being planned for 2 p.m. on Saturday at Arcadia Creek Festival site. One reader on the thread had a suggestion to possibly thwart off the gathering:
Ought to set it up so literally no one pays them any attention. They want to rial us up and get us to attack then to further their "radical left" propaganda. They are out out [sic] city racist f*** heads. How long can they last if we pay them no attention? We showed up in force the last time they threatened action and never showed.
If you plan on being downtown this weekend, please stay safe and take caution.
SEE MORE: Downtown Kalamazoo After Protests