In a recent gathering at Washington Square, Proud Boys president Seth and leader of Northern Utah Black Lives Matter organization Jacarri Kelley sat down to discuss important issues, including racism and police reform.
Both leaders from the activist organizations have been called on to come together and unite after months of violent riots and divisiveness. The Proud Boys wanted to set the records straight after they were mentioned during the first presidential debate and accused of being white supremacists.
“I don’t care what color your skin is, we’re all Americans and we need to find a way to come together instead of divide,” Seth said.
Kelley has been meeting with Proud Boys members for the past several weeks to learn about their views and have conversations about each others’ myths. They continue to link arms with other organizations and look forward to talking about police reform together.
“We came to realize we had more in common than not. And in order to combat evil and racism and hatred in this country, we do need to be able to reach across the aisle and have these tough conversations. They’re not white supremacists. These are proud American men,” Kelley said.
Seth and Kelley also added that both groups have an issue with the media portraying their organization. Thad, Proud Boys Chief, came out on behalf of his organization and denounced white supremacy as a whole. Their safety has been threatened since the news networks starting portraying them as a white supremacist group.
Proud Boys claim to be “western chauvinists,” meaning that they believe western civilization is the best. Chauvinism should be understood as patriotism. They do not discriminate based upon race or sexual orientation/preference.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden used the group’s name during the presidential debate when he and Chris Wallace were asking President Trump to denounce white supremacy.
The very next day President Trump spoke with reporters in front of the White House and clarified his stance regarding the alt-right Proud Boys. “I don’t know who the Proud Boys are but they have to stand down, let law enforcement do their work,” President Trump said.
He then added that he would denounce any group that is acting like a militia and preventing police from doing their jobs. These remarks came shortly after the radical left suggested that he refused to condemn white supremacist groups.
The Proud Boys and Black Lives Matter, Northern Utah are looking forward to meeting and talking and having that understanding allowed to move forward together.
These are the stories that should be making the news and bringing people together, but that would destroy the Democratic Party entirely.
