Previously, it was reported by the Washington Post that the leader of the right-wing group “Proud Boys”, Enrique Tarrio had admitted to burning a Black Lives Matter banner at a demonstration, which apparently infuriated local leftists. It was reported that he might face “hate crime” or other possible charges for that, despite massive destruction by Antifa and Black Lives Matter group from months of riots that went largely ignored. We can’t say for sure whether it will be simple vandalism or a hate crime but will update if we find out.
It appears that free speech is starting to become less and less of a right to some people, and those who get to define hate speech are able to leverage political power over those they disagree with more in more. In our view, this is a scary place for our nation to be in regardless of what political side you are on.
Today, it is being reported by multiple sources that Tarrio might have been arrested on that charge, just before many right-wingers plan to descend on Washington DC to protest the certification of Joe Biden as president. We can’t say for sure if Tarrio was targeted specifically now because of the timing, assuming that he was definitely arrested, since he is in charge of a large group planning to be in DC soon.
It’s certainly not unreasonable for one to draw the conclusion that it may be the case though.
“#BREAKING I was just interviewing Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio by phone. While we were on the call, sirens started blaring in the background. He told his driver to pull over. Said “They’re for me,” then “Here’s something to write about.” He *may have been arrested.” Says Will Carless.
Evan Hill quote tweeted Will Carless him saying:
“Assuming that Tarrio was en route to DC for the rallies on the 5th and 6th, there’s a chance he’s been arrested for his admitted role in the burning of a Black Lives Matter banner ripped from a historic Black church during the last Proud Boys rally”.
Then Matt Couch, a well known right leaning Twitter personality tweeted out:
“Leader of the Proud Boys and my friend Enrique Tarrio is being arrested for a misdemeanor in Washington, D.C. as he just landed at the airport. They are arresting him for taking the fall for the burning of the Black Lives Matter Banner at the last event. Per Joe Biggs on phone.”
Appears to be confirmed https://t.co/KaIZPHuS9o
— Evan Hill (@evanchill) January 4, 2021
We will be standing by to see what developments come of this. It’s hard to say for sure what might happen to Tarrio and how it may affect the upcoming rallies in Washington DC.
