Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio poses holding lighter to US Capitol before starting five-month jail sentence
Neo-fascist posed, smiling with a lighter in front of the government building, before serving his sentance
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was filmed holding a lighter in front of the US Capitol building before beginning his prison sentence for burning a Black Lives Matter flag.
Tarrio was posing and smiling with a lighter, which was positioned in front of the government building so it looked like he was burning the meeting place of the United States Congress.
He also posed with a rooster, and was wearing a T-shirt that said “@freetheproudboys By any means necessary” on Monday, before he was due to check in for a five-month prison sentence.
In August, Tarrio pleaded guilty to a destruction of property charge, after burning a stolen Black Lives Matter flag that belonged to the Asbury United Methodist Church in Washington DC. In addition, he pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, which is prohibited in the state.
At the time of the flag burning, in December 2020, the Proud Boys member was at a pro-Trump demonstration.
On video in court, Tarrio apologised for the incident and said there was “no excuse” for his actions.
Walking up to the jail, Tarrio was asked by reporters if he had anything to say to the church that had owned the Black Lives Matter flag hanging up.
“I’ve nothing to say to the members of that church or congregation anymore. I already apologised to them once,” he said.
“The same justice system that Black Lives Matter fights for is the same justice system championing my arrest, and I find that hysterical.”
Tarrio's defence filing said the punishment was “unreasonably harsh and disproportionate when taking into account the goals of sentencing”.
Canadian-British far-right "activist" Gavin McInnes, set up Proud Boys in 2016 a neo-fascist, anti-immigrant, chauvinistic all-male group, which has previously targeted left-wing groups with violence.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments