Proud Boys (Western chauvinist far-right)
American 'Western chauvinist' far-right group founded by Gavin McInnes (2016). SPLC hate-group designation 2018. Multiple senior leaders convicted for January 6 2021 Capitol attack including seditious conspiracy.
CLCI radar
BITE breakdown
+1 for documented violent activity and 2018 SPLC hate-group designation; multiple January 6 convictions.
Profile facts
In context
Proud Boys combine 'Western chauvinist' ideology with street-fighting culture. Multiple senior leaders (Enrique Tarrio, Joe Biggs, Zachary Rehl, Ethan Nordean) convicted of seditious conspiracy for January 6 2021 Capitol attack. SPLC hate-group designation. Canada designated as terrorist organisation 2021.
Recovery resources
- ICSA Helpline — International Cultic Studies Association — questions about high-control groups, referrals to cult-aware therapists, peer support.
- Freedom of Mind Resource Center — Steven Hassan's organisation — BITE Model assessments, exit-counselling resources, family education.
- ICSA Cult-Aware Therapist Directory — ICSA-maintained directory of licensed mental-health professionals with specific cult-recovery training.
- Combatting Cult Mind Control — Steven Hassan, 1988 (revised 2018). The foundational BITE Model book; CLCI Hub's core methodology source.
- Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships — Janja Lalich & Madeleine Tobias, 2006. Practical recovery workbook.
- Life After Hate / Exit USA — Support for those leaving violent extremist movements.
See the full curated list at /resources.
Legal cases & controversies
- Multiple January 6 convictions including seditious conspiracy
This profile is in progress — history, deeper BITE evidence and survivor voices are still being added. Contributions welcome via GitHub.
Timeline
- 2016McInnes founds Proud Boys
- 2021-01-06Major role in US Capitol attack
- 2023Tarrio and others convicted of seditious conspiracy
Sources
We cite sources by name and outlet rather than fabricating links. The search ↗ link runs a Google Scholar query for the cited title — useful for verifying academic sources. For news outlets, search the outlet's own archive.