The organised far right on 6 January

Submitted by AWL on 12 January, 2021 - 10:34 Author: Luca Brusco
Far-right protesters

On 6 July, at the storming of the US Capitol, a number of far-right groups — as distinguished from the “regular” far-right Trump supporters — were present. Among them were the Proud Boys, donning orange hats to distinguish themselves. While their founder Gavin McInnes denies having been there, a man looking suspiciously like him was recorded giving orders to various members of the group.

Others present included militia groups such as the Three Percenters and the Oath Keepers, members of which were recorded marching up the Capitol steps in body armour, holding onto each other, suggesting coordinated effort to breach the building.

Boogaloo Bois (sic), specifically, a group called the Last Sons of Liberty, posted a video documenting their involvement on Parler, a Twitter alternative popular with the far-right.

Followers of white nationalist Nick Fuentes, known as the Groypers, took part in the insurrection, waving “America First” flags, as did members of the violent neo-nazi group, the Nationalist Social Club.

QAnon showed up in force. Unlike the previously mentioned groups they had no on-the-spot leadership or central plan, apart from Trump’s incitements. At this point, it’s hard to draw borders between QAnon and the broader MAGA movement.

It is also worth noting the reports of numerous off-duty cops trying to break into the Capitol, flashing their badges to their colleagues tasked with keeping the rioters out, demanding that they let them through.

“Regular” Trump supporters were also comfortable with the idea of violence. One man photographed carrying zip-ties inside is not confirmed to be a member of an organised far-right group, and he came to the Trump rally with his mother.

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