Update — Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 12:05 PM EDT: Of course the story gets weirder. Scroll to the bottom for more details.
This gem of a video, taken on May Day in Seattle by Seattle-based photographer Nate Gowdy, features a what appears to be a member of Patriot Prayer (he was originally thought to be a “Proud Boy” — an alt-right men’s group founded by professional hipster turned professional right-wing agitator Gavin McInnes) attempting — rather unsuccessfully — to rip up an anti-fascist sign. Turn up the audio on this one, because the video’s greatly enhanced by the woman mocking him.
The Proud Boys’ website says that you can’t achieve their 4th degree until you “endure a major conflict related to the cause”. While he denies any affiliation with the Proud Boys, does this count as is 4th degree initiation?
In case you need a photo to pass around, here’s a still from the video:
Click the photo to see the FAIL at full size.
Update
Nate Gowdy, the source of the video, was contacted by the thwarted sign-ripper, Luke Mahler. Here’s his report:
The man in the video shared here, Luke James Mahler, 21, messaged via Messenger to clarify that he is neither a member of the Proud Boys nor is he a member of Patriot Prayer. I thank him for the clarification and regret the assumption that because he was wearing a Patriot Prayer shirt at a rally held by Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys that he is involved with either of them.
Here is our conversation, verbatim:
Luke: I’m a member of Club USA. Not proud boy or patriot prayer. Change it on your video please. I’m sick of your fake news.
me: Hi Luke – thank you for clarification.
Luke: And just an fyi dumb ass, i have adhd and autism!!!
me: Oh, I have ADHD too.
Luke: I’m contacting national news and exposing your hate against a man with disabilities, dumb fuck!!!
me: I think you’re equating autism with hate
Luke: thanks for digging your own grave, bitch! “Leftist seattle thugs harass disabled patriot” will be the title
me: And for clarification, what is Club USA and what is your age? So that we can be accurate on that as well[,] if you wouldn’t mind clarifying
Luke: Club USA is an organization that i started that belies that we can have a difference of opinion without division. I am 21 years old.
me: And to be clear, you’re not involved with Patriot Prayer?
Luke: NO I wore that shirt to piss off joey[.] if you knew our history, you would not believe i’m with patriot prayer.
me: Why would it piss off Joey?
Luke: I don’t have time for to explain shit. Let’s just say i made shit real personal with him. And i mean “real”
me: But you can understand why people would assume you’re involved with Patriot Prayer at one of their rallies?
Luke: Still fake news[.] Ask Joey
me: I think it’s more an honest, easy to make mistake since you are in public wearing a Patriot Prayer shirt at one of their rallies. Thank you for helping me set the record straight.
Luke: You’re welcome
me: I will edit the original post to state that you are not affiliated with Patriot Prayer but [were] just wearing the shirt to piss Joey Gibson off[.] Correct?
Luke: Just get your story straight next time. And apologize to Joey and Pete too. They’ve been up my ass for the last hour because of your video!
me: How is your group different than Patriot Prayer? And when was it founded?
Luke: 2018 and while there is not much difference, you still associated me with a group i am not part of.
me: Because you were at their protest wearing their shirt
Luke: Understandable, but still fake news.
me: So you misled me intentionally so that I would create fake news?
Luke: I didn’t mislead anyone intentionally. I was trying to piss Joey off by wearing his shirt as he does not like me and i thought his reaction would be priceless. And btw, his reaction was PRICELESSS[.] That’s a reaction you should have had in your video
me: Why wouldn’t he like you?
Luke: Ask him. AND APOLOGIZE TO HIM TOO. And if he won’t tell you, there is a whole article on it!!!
me: I shared a video of an adult wearing a Patriot Prayer shirt at a Patriot Prayer rally. No apologies for that. Would you mind forwarding the article?
Luke: Sure. I shouldn’t, but I am.
me: Cool
Luke: Brace yourself though. https://psuvanguard.com/whatever-happened-to-patriot-prayer/ there you go
me: Ok hold on- give me a moment to read
Luke: take your time[.] Fox news desk now has it, Ben Shapiro has it, Tucker Carlson has it, and Pete is working with Gavin. Dude we got your back remember what i said today about us protecting our own? That was some fucked up shit and you will have yours very soon. you are so fucked, bro. That’s from a proud boy you will not be getting the name of. Now I gotta go to bed. Bye.
In case you’re curious, here’s how Luke’s group, Club USA, describes itself:
Club USA is a right-wing group based in the Everett, Washington area. Club USA describes itself as advocating in favor of free speech, and opposing big government. The group organizes freedom rallies in predominantly liberal areas, in which they have been met with large numbers of counter-protesters. White nationalists have attended some of the rallies organised by Club USA, sparking controversy. Luke Mahler, the founder of Club USA, denounces racism, and denies Club USA is connected to the alt-right.
Club USA’s next big event is a “Freedom March” in downtown Anaheim on June 19th, presumably in the same spirit as that friendly little get-together of good people at Charlottesville last year.