The following Right Wing Extremists Groups are active in the RVA Area
Patriot Front is a white supremacist and neo-fascist hate group that emerged in the aftermath of the deadly "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017. It was founded by Thomas Ryan Rousseau, who was previously a leader in Vanguard America, a neo-Nazi organization.
The group promotes an ultra-nationalist ideology centered on the idea of creating a white ethnostate in the United States, rejecting multiculturalism, diversity, and immigration, which they view as existential threats to "white European culture" and the "founding stock" of America. They frequently propagate the "Great Replacement" conspiracy theory.
Patriot Front distinguishes itself with a highly choreographed and aestheticized approach to its activism. Members typically wear matching uniforms (khaki pants, dark blue jackets, hats, and white face masks) and carry American flags alongside symbols like the fasces (a symbol of fascism). Their activities are designed to maximize propaganda value and often involve:
"Flash demonstrations": Coordinated marches in public spaces, often at night or early morning, designed to surprise and intimidate.
Widespread propaganda: Distributing flyers, stickers, and banners with their hateful messages across public and private property.
Vandalism: Deliberately defacing or destroying public art, murals, and memorials, particularly those honoring racial justice, LGBTQ+ pride, or minority cultures.
Despite their public image, internal leaks have revealed that members often harbor explicitly racist, antisemitic, and misogynistic views. The group maintains strict control over its members and activities, with Rousseau at the helm.
Patriot Front members have been connected to various crimes, ranging from property damage to direct assaults, often stemming from their efforts to intimidate and spread their ideology. Here's a list of notable violent crimes and related incidents:
Conspiracy to Riot (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho - June 2022):
31 members of Patriot Front, including Thomas Rousseau, were arrested after being found packed into a U-Haul truck with riot gear, shields, and a detailed plan to disrupt a Pride in the Park event. Most were charged with misdemeanor conspiracy to riot, leading to convictions, jail time, fines, and probation for several individuals.
Assault and Battery (Boston, Massachusetts - July 2022):
During a "flash march" in Boston, Patriot Front members allegedly assaulted Charles Murrell III, a Black man, who attempted to film their demonstration. Murrell was reportedly knocked down, hit, and kicked, sustaining lacerations. A federal judge later awarded Murrell $2.7 million in damages in a civil lawsuit against the group and its leader.
Assault on a Police Officer (Boston, Massachusetts - February 2019):
One Patriot Front member was charged with assault and battery for allegedly slapping an arresting officer's hand while being apprehended for placing propaganda.
Weapons Violations:
Joffre Cross (February 2020): A Patriot Front member, Joffre Cross, pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge for illegally possessing "ghost guns" (self-assembled firearms without serial numbers) and ammunition, as he was a convicted felon.
Jakub Zak (August 2018): A Patriot Front member was charged with a weapons violation in Illinois for possessing five guns without a license, leading to 18 months of probation.
Boston, Massachusetts (February 2019): Two Patriot Front members were charged with possession of a dangerous weapon (a pocketknife and brass knuckles).
Vandalism and Property Damage with Intimidating Intent (Numerous Incidents):
While often charged as criminal mischief, the widespread and systematic destruction or defacement of public art and memorials by Patriot Front can be seen as an act of intimidation and is a core part of their "violent" messaging. Examples include:
Destroying a memorial for victims of the Pulse nightclub mass shooting in Orlando, Florida (May 2020).
Defacing a mural of Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Tacoma, Washington (February 2021).
Destroying a Black Lives Matter banner at Xavier University in Cincinnati (January 2021).
Vandalizing an immigrant marketplace in Fargo, North Dakota, by spray-painting their logo and destroying a multicultural mural, leading to a civil settlement in 2025.
Destroying Pride posters in Salem, Massachusetts (January 2021).
Countless instances of plastering racist, antisemitic, and anti-immigrant propaganda on private and public property, which can be charged as vandalism or criminal mischief.
Bias-Motivated Harassment/Intimidation (Denver, Colorado - June 2019):
A Patriot Front member was charged with a bias-motivated crime for harassing and intimidating families at a bookstore hosting a drag queen story hour.
Identity Evropa (IE) was an American far-right, neo-Nazi, neo-fascist, and white supremacist organization established in March 2016. It was a prominent group within the "alt-right" movement and explicitly aimed to create a white ethnostate in the United States.
IE presented itself as a "generation of awakened Europeans" dedicated to preserving "white European identity" and culture, often using the concept of "identitarian politics" to cloak its racist and antisemitic views. They gained notoriety for:
Campus Recruitment: Identity Evropa actively targeted college campuses with flyers, posters, and stickers, attempting to recruit young, educated white individuals.
Public Demonstrations: They participated in and organized numerous public demonstrations, often involving marches and banner drops, to spread their white supremacist message.
"You Will Not Replace Us": The white supremacist slogan "You will not replace us," a core tenet of the "Great Replacement" conspiracy theory, originated from this group and became a rallying cry for the broader alt-right.
In March 2019, Identity Evropa's leaders announced the group's dissolution and immediately rebranded as the American Identity Movement (AIM). AIM attempted to present a more "patriotic" and less overtly neo-Nazi image, using American flags and patriotic colors in its propaganda, while still adhering to the same white nationalist ideology. However, AIM also disbanded in November 2020.
Identity Evropa and its successor, AIM, were classified as hate groups by organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) due to their white supremacist, white nationalist, and anti-immigrant views.
While Identity Evropa primarily focused on propaganda and public demonstrations, its ideology and the actions of its members have been directly linked to or have contributed to an environment conducive to violence. It's important to distinguish between crimes directly committed by the organization as a whole versus individual members acting on the group's ideology.
Here are connections to violent crimes and related incidents:
"Unite the Right" Rally (Charlottesville, Virginia - August 2017):
Identity Evropa was a key organizer and participant in the "Unite the Right" rally. Its founder, Nathan Damigo, and later leader, Eli Mosley (also known as Elliott Kline), played significant roles in organizing the event.
The rally itself was characterized by widespread violence, culminating in James Alex Fields Jr. driving his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing Heather Heyer and injuring many others. While Fields was not a formal member of Identity Evropa, he marched with Vanguard America (IE's predecessor) and his actions were a direct outcome of the violent atmosphere fostered by the groups, including IE, at the rally.
Identity Evropa (and its predecessor Vanguard America) were among the groups found liable for civil conspiracy to commit violence in a major lawsuit brought by victims of the Charlottesville violence.
Assault by Founder Nathan Damigo (Berkeley, California - April 2017):
Identity Evropa founder Nathan Damigo was filmed punching a female counter-protester in the face during a rally in Berkeley. This incident was widely publicized and became an infamous moment for the group. Damigo later faced a civil lawsuit related to this assault.
Prior to founding Identity Evropa, Damigo had a conviction for armed robbery (in 2007), where he robbed a taxi driver at gunpoint, believing the man was Iraqi. While this occurred before IE's founding, it speaks to his personal history of violence.
Promotion of Violence and "Nazification":
Leaked chat logs from Identity Evropa revealed members, including former leader Elliot Kline (Eli Mosley), praising Nazi Germany and discussing plans for the "Nazification of America." While not a crime in itself, such rhetoric indicates a willingness to embrace and promote an ideology deeply rooted in historical violence.
Internal communications showed members discussing strategies to "infiltrate" political structures and influence media, often with an underlying intent to push a racially exclusionary agenda that could lead to violence if enacted.
Influence on Individual Acts of Violence:
While not always a direct command from the organization, the hateful ideology promoted by groups like Identity Evropa, including the "Great Replacement" theory, has been cited as an inspiration for white supremacist terrorists who have committed mass shootings. For example, the manifestos of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter and the Christchurch mosque shooter referenced similar white supremacist narratives that Identity Evropa heavily promoted.
In summary, while Identity Evropa didn't have a long list of members convicted for widespread organized violent crimes like some other extremist groups, its involvement in the Charlottesville rally, the violent actions of its founder, and its promotion of a dangerous white supremacist ideology directly contributed to an environment where extremist violence could occur. The civil liabilities in cases like Charlottesville underscore their role in enabling and instigating violence.
Active Clubs are a decentralized, transnational network of white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups that originated in the United States and have rapidly spread globally. They represent a new evolution in white nationalist organizing, often operating under the guise of fitness or mixed martial arts (MMA) clubs to attract and train young, able-bodied white men.
The concept of Active Clubs was heavily influenced by Robert Rundo, a prominent neo-Nazi and founder of the now-defunct Rise Above Movement (RAM), a street-fighting gang. Rundo envisioned a decentralized model, making it harder for law enforcement to track and disrupt.
Key characteristics and ideology of Active Clubs include:
White Supremacy and Neo-Nazism: At their core, Active Clubs are explicit white supremacist and neo-Nazi organizations. They adhere to accelerationist ideologies, believing that the current societal system is corrupt and must be dismantled, often through violence, to make way for a white ethnostate. They frequently promote the "Great Replacement" and "white genocide" conspiracy theories.
Emphasis on Physicality and Combat: A central tenet is physical fitness, martial arts training (including MMA and hand-to-hand combat), and the cultivation of a "warrior spirit." Members see themselves as preparing for a coming "race war" or societal collapse. This focus allows them to recruit individuals interested in fitness while subtly introducing them to extremist ideologies.
"Hiding in Plain Sight": Active Clubs often present a seemingly innocuous image, focusing on "brotherhood" and "self-improvement" through physical activity. This allows them to operate in public spaces like parks and gyms, making detection and intervention more challenging.
Decentralized Network: Each "club" is largely autonomous, but they communicate and coordinate through encrypted online platforms like Telegram, sharing propaganda, organizing events, and fostering a sense of shared purpose.
Recruitment Strategy: They appeal to disaffected young white men by combining physical activity and camaraderie with their white nationalist beliefs. Their propaganda often features images of fit, masked men training or engaging in public displays.
Targets: Active Clubs frequently target perceived enemies of white nationalism, including LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities, anti-fascists, and local elected officials, through protests, propaganda, and harassment.
Researchers describe Active Clubs as a "shadow or stand-by army" that can be mobilized for coordinated, large-scale violent actions. They often share ideology and sometimes members with other notorious groups like Patriot Front and the Atomwaffen Division.
Due to their decentralized nature and recent emergence, specific convictions directly attributed to the "Active Clubs" as a collective entity can be harder to track than for more centralized groups. However, individual members and cells within the Active Club network have been connected to, or convicted of, various violent crimes and other offenses:
Conspiracy to Riot and Assault (Robert Rundo and Rise Above Movement):
Robert Rundo, the founder of the Rise Above Movement (RAM) which heavily inspired the Active Clubs model, pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiracy to riot for his role in planning and engaging in violence at political rallies in California in 2017. While these incidents predated the formal "Active Clubs" network, they demonstrate the violent origins and intentions of the individuals who spearheaded the movement.
Racial Violence and Assaults:
Racially-motivated raid in Romans-sur-Isère, France: Members of a French Active Club took part in a racially-motivated attack.
Assaults on counter-demonstrators (Finland): Active Club members in Finland have been documented assaulting leftist counter-demonstrators and stealing and burning their flags and signs during marches.
Attacks on individuals in association venues (Mâcon, France - April 2024): Active Club members attacked a person after a concert, with one sentenced to 12 months under an electronic bracelet and another to two years in prison.
Attacks at an alternative venue (Saint-Brieuc, France - November 2023): Three white supremacists planning to create an Active Club attacked an alternative venue and were sentenced to between 12 and 24 months in prison.
Vigilantism and Organized Violence:
Far-right vigilantism (Estonia - 2024): Three Active Club Estonia members were convicted of far-right vigilantism, and the group is known for promoting "Tesak-style vigilante operations."
Plotting attacks on infrastructure (New Jersey): An individual who participated in an Active Club "Free Rundo" demonstration was charged with plotting an attack on energy infrastructure and synagogues.
Weapons Offenses and Preparing for Violence:
Theft of ammunition and grenades (Camp Pendleton, US - 2021): A former Marine who was a cell member was expelled from the Marines after being caught stealing over 10,000 rounds of ammunition and several grenades.
Discussions of acquiring weapons: Undercover investigations have revealed Active Club members discussing how to acquire weapons, including 3D-printed firearms, and possessing various knives and axes.
Weapons training: Investigations in the UK and elsewhere have shown Active Club members engaged in weapons training, including knife defense, suggesting preparation for violent confrontations.
Links to Terrorist-Designated Groups and Individuals:
Active Clubs have "deep connections" with and often draw members from groups like the Atomwaffen Division, which has been linked to five killings in recent years. For example, a leading member of Atomwaffen's Canadian branch who has been charged with terrorism offenses was allegedly also an Active Club member.
One Active Club England member was a convicted violent criminal previously jailed for a knife attack in a supermarket.
The focus of Active Clubs on physical combat training and their promotion of accelerationist and white supremacist ideologies indicates a clear intent to prepare for and engage in future violence. Law enforcement and anti-extremism organizations view them as a significant and growing threat.
Neo-Confederates are individuals and groups who advocate for the positive portrayal of the Confederate States of America, often romanticizing the "Lost Cause" of the Civil War. In Virginia, a state deeply intertwined with Confederate history, these groups focus on preserving Confederate monuments, symbols (especially the battle flag), and what they perceive as "Southern heritage" and "white Southern culture."
Key aspects of Virginia-based Neo-Confederate groups:
Historical Revisionism: They often downplay or deny the central role of slavery in the Civil War, instead emphasizing states' rights, limited government, and a distinct Southern identity. They also tend to criticize Abraham Lincoln and Reconstruction.
Defense of Symbols: A primary activity is the defense and promotion of Confederate flags and monuments. Groups like the Virginia Flaggers are prominent examples, known for protesting the removal of Confederate statues and flags, and for erecting large Confederate flags on private property near public roads.
Overlap with White Supremacy: While not all Neo-Confederates are explicit white supremacists, there is significant overlap. Many groups within the Neo-Confederate movement share members or alliances with overtly racist organizations like the League of the South and Identity Dixie, which openly espouse white supremacist, antisemitic, and anti-immigrant views, and advocate for an independent, white-dominated South.
Political Engagement (Limited): Some Neo-Confederates engage in political advocacy for states' rights, limited government, and sometimes even secession, although the latter is a more extreme fringe position.
Online and Local Activity: Their activity often includes online propaganda, local gatherings, and public demonstrations, particularly when Confederate symbols are threatened with removal.
Virginia Flaggers: Focus almost exclusively on displaying and defending Confederate flags and monuments.
League of the South (LOS): A explicitly white supremacist, white nationalist, and neo-Confederate organization that advocates for a seceded, independent "Southern Republic" based on "Anglo-Celtic" culture. They have chapters and active members in Virginia.
Identity Dixie (ID): A neo-Confederate propaganda group with strong ties to the alt-right and white nationalism. They played a significant role in organizing the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville.
Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV): While generally viewed as a "heritage" organization, some local chapters and individual members of the SCV may hold and promote neo-Confederate views, and the organization has been criticized for platforming or having ties to more extreme elements.
Direct criminal convictions for organized violence attributed specifically to Virginia-based Neo-Confederate groups are less common than for, say, a street-fighting gang. However, their ideology and actions have been directly linked to, or have contributed to, an environment conducive to violence. The most significant connection to violence in Virginia is the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville.
Here's a list of violent crimes and related incidents:
"Unite the Right" Rally (Charlottesville, Virginia - August 2017):
This rally was a convergence of various far-right, white supremacist, and neo-Confederate groups, including those with Neo-Confederate leanings like the League of the South and Identity Dixie, and individuals aligned with these ideologies.
The rally descended into widespread violence, culminating in James Alex Fields Jr. driving his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing Heather Heyer and injuring dozens. While Fields was not a formal member of a specific Neo-Confederate group, he marched alongside other white supremacists and his actions were a direct outgrowth of the violent atmosphere fostered by the groups, including Neo-Confederates, at the rally.
Several Neo-Confederate groups and their leaders (including those who had a presence in Virginia) were found civilly liable for conspiracy to commit violence in the Sines v. Kessler lawsuit brought by victims of the Charlottesville violence. This includes organizations like the League of the South.
Numerous street brawls and assaults occurred throughout the day, involving Neo-Confederate participants clashing with counter-protesters.
Torchlit March on the University of Virginia Campus (August 11, 2017): The night before the main rally, hundreds of white nationalists and Neo-Confederates, carrying torches and chanting racist and antisemitic slogans (e.g., "Jews will not replace us"), marched through the UVA campus and clashed with students. This event was a clear act of intimidation and led to physical altercations.
Individual Acts of Violence and Threats:
While not always an organized group action, individuals deeply embedded in Neo-Confederate movements, or inspired by their rhetoric, have committed violent acts or made threats. For instance, the League of the South has a history of members with violent pasts or who have engaged in violent rhetoric. SPLC reports have documented instances of League of the South members being linked to weapons caches and threats against minorities.
Historically, some figures associated with Neo-Confederate ideas or movements have been implicated in violence stemming from racial animosity or anti-government sentiments, though documenting specific recent criminal convictions solely attributable to Virginia-based Neo-Confederate groups (as opposed to individuals with overlapping beliefs) is challenging due to the decentralized nature and often subtle forms of their extremist activity.
In essence, while Virginia-based Neo-Confederate groups often present themselves as heritage organizations, their deep ideological overlap with white supremacy, their participation in highly volatile events like Charlottesville, and their promotion of divisive and often hateful narratives, place them within the broader landscape of extremist groups that contribute to an environment where violence can erupt.
Neo-Nazis in Virginia, as elsewhere, are individuals and groups who adhere to the ideology of Nazism, which is characterized by extreme white supremacy, antisemitism, anti-immigrant sentiment, and often calls for the violent overthrow of existing societal structures to establish a white ethnostate. Their ideology is rooted in the historical Nazism of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich, and they often display Nazi symbols (like the swastika), engage in Nazi salutes, and promote genocidal rhetoric.
Key aspects of Virginia-based Neo-Nazis:
Ideology of Hate: Their core beliefs are based on the purported racial superiority of white people, deep-seated antisemitism (blaming Jewish people for various societal ills), and a profound hatred for non-white racial groups, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other minorities.
Accelerationism: Many contemporary neo-Nazi groups, including some with a presence in Virginia, subscribe to accelerationism. This is a belief that acts of violence and terrorism can hasten the collapse of society ("white ethnostate"). They may seek to create chaos and exploit racial divisions to achieve their goals.
Recruitment and Propaganda: They often use online platforms to spread their propaganda, recruit new members, and organize. They may also engage in public demonstrations, often attempting to provoke confrontations.
Decentralized Nature: Many groups operate with a "leaderless resistance" model, forming small, often secretive cells to evade law enforcement detection. This makes it challenging to pinpoint a single, large, overt neo-Nazi organization with a consistent public presence.
National Socialist Movement (NSM): Historically one of the largest and oldest neo-Nazi organizations in the United States. While its overall power has waned, it has had a presence and participated in events in Virginia.
Atomwaffen Division (AWD): A highly violent and accelerationist neo-Nazi group. AWD has been particularly active in online recruitment and has had members in Virginia. They promote extreme violence and the collapse of society.
The Base: A white nationalist accelerationist paramilitary group and training network that advocates for the formation of white ethnostates via terrorism and violent overthrow of governments. They have had members arrested in Virginia.
Vanguard America: A white supremacist organization with explicit neo-Nazi elements. While disbanded, its members were prominent at the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville.
Blood Tribe: A newer neo-Nazi white supremacist group that engages in theatrical demonstrations with overt Nazi imagery. They have chapters in multiple states and have participated in events where they display swastika flags.
The most significant event connecting neo-Nazis to violent crimes in Virginia is the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville in August 2017. This rally was a convergence of various white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups, and it resulted in direct violence and death.
Here's a list of violent crimes and related incidents:
Murder and Assault by Car Ramming (Charlottesville, VA - August 2017):
James Alex Fields Jr., who reportedly expressed sympathy for Nazi Germany and was photographed holding a shield emblazoned with the logo of Vanguard America (a white supremacist organization present at the rally), drove his car into a crowd of counter-protesters. This act killed Heather Heyer and injured dozens. This was deemed an act of domestic terrorism.
Many neo-Nazi groups, including the National Socialist Movement and Vanguard America, were key participants in the rally that created the violent atmosphere.
Conspiracy to Incite Riots and Assaults (Charlottesville, VA - August 2017):
Members of the Rise Above Movement (RAM), a militant neo-Nazi/white nationalist street-fighting group whose founder (Robert Rundo) heavily influenced the later "Active Clubs," were charged by federal authorities in Virginia for their actions at "Unite the Right." They were involved in planning and engaging in violence against counter-protesters. Several RAM members pleaded guilty to conspiracy to riot.
Plotting Violence at a Gun Rights Rally (Richmond, VA - January 2020):
Three members of The Base, a neo-Nazi accelerationist group, were arrested by the FBI just before a major gun rights protest (VCDL Lobby Day) in Richmond. FBI surveillance revealed they were discussing plans for violence at the event, including the potential for mass murder of Black individuals to incite a race war. Patrik Jordan Mathews and Brian Lemley, two of the arrested members, were later sentenced to nine years in prison for their plot.
Assaults and Intimidation at Rallies:
During the "Unite the Right" torchlit march on the University of Virginia campus on August 11, 2017, neo-Nazis and other white supremacists carried torches, chanted racist and antisemitic slogans ("Jews will not replace us," "Blood and Soil" – a Nazi slogan), and engaged in physical clashes with students and counter-protesters.
Throughout the main "Unite the Right" rally on August 12, numerous street brawls and assaults occurred as neo-Nazi participants clashed with counter-protesters.
Weapons Offenses and Preparing for Violence:
Atomwaffen Division (AWD) Members in Virginia:
Vasillios Pistolis: A former Marine and Atomwaffen Division member was charged in Albemarle County, VA, with "using fire to racially intimidate" (a Virginia anti-KKK cross burning statute) in relation to his actions at "Unite the Right."
Andrew Thomasberg: Arrested in McLean, Virginia, for illegally selling guns. FBI testimony revealed he joined Atomwaffen Division after "Unite the Right," discussed a racially motivated shooting he committed, and provided armed training to a man who committed a murder in Fairfax County in 2018.
Civil Liability for Conspiracy to Commit Violence:
Several neo-Nazi groups and their leaders who had a presence or participated in "Unite the Right" were found civilly liable for conspiracy to commit violence in the Sines v. Kessler lawsuit brought by victims. This includes the National Socialist Movement and individuals associated with Vanguard America.
Neo-Nazi groups in Virginia, while sometimes operating clandestinely, pose a significant threat due to their explicit embrace of violence, racial hatred, and their stated goals of societal breakdown and racial war.
Right-wing militia movements in Virginia are part of a broader national phenomenon characterized by their anti-government ideology, extreme interpretations of the Second Amendment, and paramilitary training. These groups typically believe that the federal government is overstepping its constitutional limits and that citizens have a right, even a duty, to form private militias to resist perceived tyranny.
Key characteristics and activities of Virginia-based militia movements:
Anti-Government Sentiment: A core belief is deep mistrust of the federal government, often viewing it as tyrannical or part of a globalist conspiracy. They believe in the ultimate authority of local entities, particularly the county sheriff, over federal agencies.
Second Amendment Absolutism: They interpret the Second Amendment as granting citizens the right to form private military units, capable of resisting the U.S. military if necessary. They often oppose all forms of gun control.
Paramilitary Training: Militia groups frequently engage in field training exercises (FTXs) that involve firearms proficiency, tactical maneuvers, and combat simulations, often in military-style gear. While they may publicly claim to be training for "emergency preparedness" or "community aid," their actual training often focuses on combat skills.
Recruitment: They often target individuals with military or law enforcement backgrounds, and recruit through online channels, gun shows, and local gatherings.
Decentralization: Following increased scrutiny and legal repercussions after events like January 6th, many militia groups have shifted towards a more decentralized, local/regional model, making them harder to track and infiltrate.
Conspiracy Theories: They often embrace various conspiracy theories, including those related to government overreach, "deep state" plots, and perceived threats to their freedoms.
Presence at Protests: Militia members frequently appear armed at political protests and rallies, particularly those related to gun rights, COVID-19 restrictions, or perceived government infringements on liberty.
Oath Keepers: A prominent anti-government militia that recruits current and former military, law enforcement, and first responders. They advocate for members to "not obey" what they deem unconstitutional orders. The group has had a significant presence in Virginia.
Three Percenters (III%ers): A loose anti-government network that believes a small percentage of armed citizens can overthrow a tyrannical government, drawing a flawed parallel to the American Revolution. They have a presence in Virginia.
Local "Minutemen" groups: Often operate with a more local focus, portraying themselves as community helpers while still engaging in paramilitary training.
It's important to note that Virginia law prohibits unauthorized private militias and paramilitary activity during or in furtherance of a civil disorder.
Right-wing militia movements in Virginia, and their members, have been connected to significant violent crimes and plots, particularly in recent years.
January 6th U.S. Capitol Attack (Washington D.C. - January 2021):
Seditious Conspiracy and Obstruction: Members of groups with a significant presence in Virginia, most notably the Oath Keepers and Three Percenters, played a prominent role in the attack.
Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, who orchestrated the effort, was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in plotting to violently oppose the transfer of presidential power.
Thomas Caldwell, an Oath Keeper from Berryville, Virginia, was a co-defendant in the seditious conspiracy trial and was convicted of obstructing an official proceeding.
Many Oath Keepers traveled from Virginia to D.C. for January 6th. Testimony revealed that a large weapons cache was prepared in a Virginia hotel outside D.C., ready to be brought in by a "Quick Reaction Force" (QRF) if then-President Trump had invoked the Insurrection Act.
Numerous Oath Keepers and Three Percenters were involved in the "military stack" formation that breached the Capitol, clashing with law enforcement, causing injuries, and disrupting the certification of election results.
Plotting Violence at a Gun Rights Rally (Richmond, VA - January 2020):
Three members of The Base, a neo-Nazi accelerationist group (which has significant overlap in ideology and tactics with some militia elements), were arrested by the FBI in Virginia just before the VCDL (Virginia Citizens Defense League) Lobby Day. They were allegedly discussing plans for violence at the event, including the potential for mass murder to incite a race war. Two of the arrested members, Patrik Jordan Mathews and Brian Lemley, were later sentenced to nine years in prison for their plot.
"Unite the Right" Rally (Charlottesville, Virginia - August 2017):
While not solely a militia event, various armed individuals identifying with militia ideologies (including some Three Percenters) were present. Their presence, often heavily armed, contributed to the violent atmosphere that led to numerous street brawls and ultimately the deadly car attack by James Alex Fields Jr. (though he was not formally part of a militia group). Militia members were observed clashing with counter-protesters.
Conspiracy to Riot and Assaults (Robert Rundo and Rise Above Movement - 2017 events):
Robert Rundo, the founder of the Rise Above Movement (RAM) which heavily inspired the "Active Clubs" model (often intertwined with militia tactics), pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiracy to riot for his role in planning and engaging in violence at political rallies in California in 2017. While not a Virginia-specific militia, Rundo's influence extended to individuals and groups in Virginia and represents the violent capabilities and intentions behind some of these movements.
These incidents highlight that while many militia groups may espouse a defensive posture, their anti-government extremism, paramilitary training, and willingness to confront perceived enemies can lead directly to acts of violence and criminal conspiracy.
The Proud Boys are an American far-right, neo-fascist militant organization that openly promotes and engages in political violence. Founded in 2016 by Gavin McInnes (a co-founder of Vice Media), the group defines itself as "Western chauvinists" who believe "Western culture is superior." This often serves as a euphemism for white supremacist and white nationalist ideologies, despite the group's attempts to distance itself from overt racism and the fact that it has non-white members.
Key aspects and ideology of the Proud Boys:
"Western Chauvinism": At its core, the Proud Boys' ideology is built around the perceived superiority of "Western civilization" and a belief that it is under attack from "anti-Western" forces like feminism, socialism, immigration, and LGBTQ+ rights. They advocate for traditional gender roles and are vehemently anti-feminist.
Embrace of Violence: Violence is a fundamental aspect of the Proud Boys' identity and initiation. Members often engage in street brawls with left-wing and anti-fascist (antifa) groups, and their initiation rituals have reportedly included getting beaten by other members while reciting the names of five breakfast cereals. Their leaders have openly glorified political violence against perceived enemies.
Support for Donald Trump: The group rose to prominence during the Trump presidency and openly aligned itself with the "Make America Great Again" movement.
Designated as a Terrorist Group: Due to their escalating violence and role in attacks, Canada designated the Proud Boys as a terrorist entity in 2021, followed by New Zealand in 2022.
Organizational Structure: The group is an all-male organization, though it has a female auxiliary wing. It has a hierarchical structure with local chapters and national leadership.
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) designates the Proud Boys as a hate group, and criminologists have noted that their initiation ceremonies, involvement in criminal and violent behavior, and identifying apparel are consistent with characteristics of street gangs.
The Proud Boys have been directly involved in and convicted of numerous violent crimes, primarily in the context of political protests and clashes with opposing groups. Their leaders and members have faced significant federal charges, including seditious conspiracy.
Here's a list of notable violent crimes and incidents they are connected to:
January 6th U.S. Capitol Attack (Washington D.C. - January 2021):
Seditious Conspiracy: Several high-ranking Proud Boys leaders, including former national chairman Enrique Tarrio, Joseph Biggs, Ethan Nordean, and Zachary Rehl, were convicted of seditious conspiracy for their roles in orchestrating the plot to violently oppose the peaceful transfer of presidential power. These convictions led to lengthy prison sentences.
Assault on Law Enforcement and Obstruction: Numerous Proud Boys members engaged in direct clashes with police, assaulting officers, and breaching the Capitol building. Dominic Pezzola, a Proud Boy, used a stolen police riot shield to smash a Capitol window, creating an early breach. Many others were charged and convicted of various offenses, including assault, civil disorder, and obstruction of an official proceeding.
Property Destruction (Hate Crime): Prior to January 6th, in December 2020, Enrique Tarrio led Proud Boys members in tearing down and burning a Black Lives Matter banner from the historic Asbury United Methodist Church, a Black church in Washington D.C. This act was widely condemned as a hate crime. Tarrio was arrested for this incident before January 6th.
Street Brawls and Assaults (Numerous Incidents):
Portland, Oregon (2017-2020): Proud Boys regularly engaged in violent confrontations with anti-fascist and Black Lives Matter protesters in Portland and other Pacific Northwest cities. These clashes often resulted in injuries, arrests, and property damage. In one instance, a Proud Boy member drove his vehicle through a group of counter-protestors, firing gunshots.
Berkeley, California (2017): During multiple "March 4 Trump" rallies and other right-wing events, Proud Boys members were involved in violent clashes with counter-protesters. Notably, Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes's associate, Kyle Chapman ("Based Stickman"), became infamous for hitting a counter-protester with a wooden dowel.
New York City (October 2018): Ten men connected to the Proud Boys were arrested after a violent street brawl with protesters following a speech by Gavin McInnes at the Metropolitan Republican Club. Seven Proud Boys pleaded guilty to various charges, including riot, disorderly conduct, and attempted assault. Two, Maxwell Hare and John Kinsman, were convicted of attempted gang assault and riot and sentenced to four years in prison.
"Unite the Right" Rally (Charlottesville, Virginia - August 2017):
While Gavin McInnes publicly attempted to distance the group from the rally after the violence, Proud Boys members were present and participated in the event, which was largely organized by Jason Kessler, a former Proud Boy. The rally was characterized by widespread violence, including street brawls and the deadly car attack by James Alex Fields Jr. (who marched with a group allied with Proud Boys).
The Proud Boys' stated embrace of violence as a means to achieve their political goals, coupled with the documented criminal actions of their members, underscores their designation as a dangerous extremist organization.