Current Affairs

Issue

Canada has announced that it will be designating the US-based far-right group ‘Proud Boys’ as a terrorist entity.

Background

The all-male neo-fascist group will be added to a lengthy list of international terrorist organisations, that includes ISIS, Al Qaeda, and al-Shabab.

Details

• The Proud Boys grabbed headlines worldwide last year during the first presidential debate between then-President Donald Trump and his Democratic contender Biden.

• The all-male neo-fascist group was founded in 2016 by Vice Media co-founder and Canadian-British right-wing activist Gavin McInnes. 

• The Proud Boys are known for their anti-Muslim and misogynistic rhetoric and have been classified as an ‘extremist group’ by the FBI.

• To be inducted into the fold, a Proud Boy must first proclaim that he is a Western chauvinist who refuses to apologise for creating the modern world. 

• The group claim that they do not support white supremacists, and merely banded together to oppose the activities of the anti-fascist movement known as Antifa.

• Members of the group are often seen at rallies carrying guns and bats and a few have even been convicted of violent crimes against left-wing groups and activists.

• They were also a regular feature at the nationwide anti-racism protests in the US sparked by the custodial killing of African American George Floyd.

• The Proud Boys were known to intimidate anti-racism protesters and in some places have incited violence and fighting.

Reasons for ban

• The Parliament in Canada had unanimously passed a motion calling on Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s government to ban the Proud Boys and to label them a terrorist group

• The group was added to the list along with a number of other extremist groups with links to Al Qaeda, Islamic State, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

• But some groups argue that banning the Proud Boys would expand the definition of terrorism to a point where free speech and the right to protest will be threatened.

• Canadian officials will not be able to automatically make any arrests. But they will be able to seize their assets and prosecute members or associates for carrying out or contributing to extremist activities.

• Even providing a terrorist group with funds would qualify as a crime. This also includes purchasing group-related clothing or paraphernalia.

• Authorities will also be able to take down online posts with more ease and add the group’s members to no-fly lists.

Issue

A US-based far-right group called the Proud Boys was brought to the world’s attention after President Donald Trump urged the group to “stand back and stand by” during his first presidential debate.

Background

Trump’s refusal to explicitly denounce the violence caused by white supremacist and militia groups during debate sparked widespread outrage across the US.

Details

• The all-male neo-fascist group was founded in 2016 by Vice Media co-founder and Canadian-British right-wing activist Gavin McInnes.

• The Proud Boys are known for their “anti-Muslim and misogynistic rhetoric” and have been classified as an ‘extremist group’ by the FBI.

• To be inducted into the fold, a Proud Boy must first proclaim that he is a “a Western chauvinist who refuses to apologise for creating the modern world”.

• According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the group is also known for anti-transgender, anti-immigration and anti-Semitic views.

• They claim that they do not support white supremacists, and merely banded together to oppose the activities of the anti-fascist movement known as Antifa.

• But members of the group are often seen at rallies carrying guns and bats and a few have even been convicted of violent crimes against left-wing groups and activists.

• The group is known to show up bearing arms at right-wing and liberal leaning protests across the United States.

• The Proud Boys have become a regular feature at protest marches across the country. They have been known to intimidate anti-racism protesters and in some places have incited violence and fighting.

• Even before the recent spate of protests across the United States, the group has been known to show up wherever they may be able to confront far-left activists.