>A previous article was written on this topic that is now removed. Most of that article should have been labeled as an opinion piece, and the quote from Gavin McInnes was from an internal communication that should not have been publicly posted. The now removed article is simply my opinion and should not be construed as an official Proud Boys statement in any way.
>PROUD BOYS OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE “UNITE THE RIGHT” RALLY
>The general consensus among the group is while we enthusiastically support EVERYONE’S right to free speech / peaceably assemble, that doesn’t mean we have to attend every single event.
>We are not Alt-Right and we are not white nationalists. We don’t say that to appease anyone. It’s just how the group has evolved. The organizers are correct when they say we have to unite against our common enemy, the far left. This is why we refrain from punching right. This is why we protested the removal of Confederate Statues. There is a war on freedom happening right now in the West and we stand with anyone who wants to fight it. That doesn’t mean the Proud Boys are compelled to do everything the Alt-Right does. Not punching right does not mean following right to every event.
>That being said, if a chapter or an individual Proud Boy feels compelled to go, we encourage him to do so. Chapter autonomy is a big part of the group as well as personal liberty.
>Free speech is for everyone. This event isn’t ours, which is why our name is not on the flyer, but we wish them nothing but the best.
>NOTE: An original version of this statement appeared earlier that included the ridiculous term “disavow” and was meant to lampoon the elders. That is not who we are and that is not OK.
>not OK
>not OK
>not OK
>not OK