The New York Police Department announced three arrests were made in the wake of a violent brawl Friday night after a speech by Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes, a controversial figure on the alt-right, at the city’s Republican Club.
The fight which was caught on video posted to YouTube seemed to pit supporters of the chauvinist males-only group against a smaller band of Antifa protestors.
“I am disturbed and disgusted by the videos I’ve seen of members of the neo-fascist, white supremacist Proud Boys group in hate-fueled mob violence in the streets of New York City,” New York City Public Advocate Tish James said in a statement. “New York will not become the next Charlottesville, and we refuse to let the actions of a hateful few define out City.”
But those protesting the polarizing speaker apparently committed vandalism hours earlier, spray-painting anarchy symbols on the club doors, damaging locks and breaking windows. They also reportedly left behind a statement promising more violence.
“This is an act of political violence done by cowards in the middle of the night,” said New York Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox. “There’s no doubt what they intended to do.”
Thanks for reading InsideHook. Sign up for our daily newsletter and be in the know.
