Afro-Cuban Proud Boys Leader Pleads Guilty to Burning Black Lives Matter Banner

Enrique Tarrio (CNN)
Enrique Tarrio (CNN)

CNN: “The leader of the far-right Proud Boys pleaded guilty Monday to two misdemeanors stemming from his conduct in Washington, DC, amid violent pro-Donald Trump protests in December. Enrique Tarrio appeared in DC Superior Court to plead guilty to property destruction for burning a Black Lives Matter banner that belonged to a historic Black church in DC. He also pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a high-capacity magazine, a violation of local gun control laws.

“He will be sentenced next month and could face up to one year in jail, though defendants rarely get the maximum penalty. The charges were filed in local DC court and are separate from the sprawling federal investigation into the January 6 Capitol insurrection — during which dozens of Proud Boys stormed the building and have since been charged with conspiracy and other crimes.”

Tarrio’s Wikipedia page describes the Proud Boys as “a far-right, neo-fascist exclusively male organization.” Fascist organizations typically hold strong racist views, which makes Tarrio’s “Afro-Cuban background,” according to Wiki, unusual.

Proud Boys Have Abandoned Trump

“As Mr. Trump departed the White House on Wednesday, the Proud Boys, once among his staunchest supporters, have also started leaving his side. In dozens of conversations on social media sites like Gab and Telegram, members of the group have begun calling Mr. Trump a ‘shill’ and ‘extraordinarily weak,’ according to messages reviewed by The New York Times. They have also urged supporters to stop attending rallies and protests held for Mr. Trump or the Republican Party.”

New York Times