Read on Twitter
So this Saturday 9/19, members of the Philadelphia Proud Boys claim to be gathering at Clark Park in West Philly. A pair of community actions have been planned at the park in response. Tensions are high, so let's dispel fear with information: Who are the Proud Boys?
For many new local activists, this may be their first encounter with the Proud Boys, but their reputation precedes them. They are an SLPC-designated hate group that aligns with "western chauvanism" to disguise their activity as a reactionary street gang. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys
Philadelphia's PB chapter formed in 2017, though they've been dormant until recently. They most recently made national news in 2018, when they were basically chased out of Philadelphia after their "We the People" rally ended in them being drastically outnumbered by antifascists.
PPB's leader and founder is Zachary Rehl, a Philadelphia resident who has a serious criminal record and a history of ties with real-life Nazis from groups like American Guard, ACT For America, Identity Europa, and the Fraternal Order of Alt-Knights.
Like I said, PPB went underground after their 2018 rally flopped. They reappeared in the wave of vigilante violence following the George Floyd protests. Remember that group of vigilantes in Fishtown that attacked a reporter and threatened residents? Zach Rehl put it together.
That same week PPB claimed to be attending the fights that occured in Marconi Plaza over the Columbus statue. This was the beginning of a strange relationship between PPB and the South Philly vigilantes who call themselves the "Gravy Seals". Whether they attended is unknown.
PB followed this reveal by reaching out to Philly PD. Here's Rehl and PPB VP Aaron Wolkind with a disguised but clearly uniformed PPD officer. They also attended a Mike Pence rally at the Philadelphia FOP Lodge, where they were even allowed into the building.
PPB also attended a thinly-veiled QAnon rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina last month. All this to say that PPB is undoubtedly once again active in Philadelphia, and escalating their behavior. https://twitter.com/jordangreentcb/status/1299809889867517953?s=20
Now, on to Saturday. This rally, "in the belly of the beast", is actually a rescheduling of an event previously planned to take place in south philly on 9/26, wittily called "MARCH FOR HISTORY AND END THE VIOLENCE!". This event flier references Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse.
This rally was possibly rescheduled for several reasons. 9/26 is the Proud Boy's national call to action, so it's possible PPB will be traveling to Portland on that day. Whatever the reason, the real rally will be at Clark Park on 9/19.
this rally was //supposed// to coincide with "Protect Our Statues" rally planned by the Gravy Seals at Marconi Plaza, but that event was recently removed from facebook with no explanation. maybe one day we'll get to the Gravy Seals, but not in this thread.
So, Clark Park. PB chose this location deliberately. Part of the reason might be due to its proximity to a local activist who Rehl has targeted in the past, but it's ideal for other reasons. West Philly has a diverse, progressive community, rife with "antifa".
In addition, last month a direct action march by "AntiCapitalist Philly" gathered in Clark Park before causing some damage to banks and Penn buildings. https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/penn-vandalism-university-summer-of-rage-anarchist-anti-capitalist-jacob-blake-20200826.html
So that's where PB will be gathering, and why. Worth mentioning that they disrupted a local black-owned farmer's market to do it, which...rude, to say the least.
So whos going to be there? Hard to say. Besides their controlled outings to a police headquarters and a QAnon rally far from their home town, PPB has been keeping a low profile. As such, it's difficult to tell who from the original 2018 group will attend, or how many new members.
This list was compiled in 2018 from public records and social media accounts, and provides a limited amount of information on the PB members active at this time. Undoubtedly some have moved on to greener pastures, while PPBs recruitment of the gravy seals will bring fresh faces.
In short, PPB is a hate group with ties to various violent reactionary movements. They seek the support of PPD while actively moving against any kind of left-wing opposition. They glorify violence. They are willing to infiltrate local reactionary groups for recruitment.
PPB is a hate group, so I will be covering them like one. I have no interest in reaching out for or receiving comments from PPB. I will utilize any and all public information to track their movements. If they show their faces, I will photograph them and attempt to identify them.
Hatred has no home in Philadelphia. PB is a violent, fascistic street gang that makes hatred of minorities into a fraternity team-building exercise. Left to their own devices, they are a threat to our city. It is imperative media cover this group as thoroughly as possible.
The Proud Boys rally is at 1pm at Clark Park in West Philly. The antifascist counteraction will be at the same place at 12pm. If youre attending, be safe and keep each other safe. Forward this information and any other you gather to friends. Please support independent journalism.
No Proud Boys in West Philly.
