Canada on Wednesday declared the Proud Boys a terrorist entity, adding the far-right group to a list that includes al-Qaeda, ISIS and al-Shabab in an effort to crack down on "ideologically motivated violent extremism," described by the country's public safety minister as the "most significant threat to domestic security."
Canada designates Proud Boys as terrorist group
Proud Boys rally in Washington on Dec. 12, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Photo for The Washington Post by Evelyn Hockstein
Published February 04. 2021 12:05AM
Amanda Coletta, The Washington Post
TORONTO - Canada on Wednesday declared the Proud Boys a terrorist entity, adding the far-right group to a list that includes al-Qaida, ISIS and al-Shabab in an effort to crack down on ideologically motivated violent extremism, described by the country s public safety minister as the most significant threat to domestic security.
The announcement by Public Safety Minister Bill Blair came less than a month after Proud Boys allegedly joined the violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol after attending a rally by then-President Donald Trump in the hope of overturning the presidential election. Five people, including a Capitol Police officer, died in that attack.
Anti-hate and civil rights groups are cautiously relieved after the terrorist designation wasn’t expanded for the Proud Boys, which could’ve snarled Black Lives Matter, Indigenous land defenders or others.
TORONTO, Ontario (CTV News) Anti-hate and civil rights groups are cautiously relieved the terrorist designation wasn’t expanded for the Proud Boys, which they say could have given law enforcement more leeway to surveil Black Lives Matter, Indigenous land defenders or others.
Critics have been worried about the definition of terrorism potentially being expanded since the federal government first publicly indicated it’d be considering adding the extremist group to its list of terrorist entities. This action followed the Proud Boys’ involvement in riots in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
The Canadian Anti-Hate Network, which monitors and researches hate groups, had been publically and privately lobbying the feds to ensure the neo-fascist Proud Boys fit the current criteria and officials “didn’t lower the bar” on the definition.
Canada declares white nationalist group Proud Boys as terrorists ANI | Updated: Feb 04, 2021 02:40 IST
Ottawa [Canada], February 4 (ANI): Canada has formally designated the Proud Boys an all-male, far-right, white nationalist group as a terrorist entity under its criminal law on Wednesday.
According to The New York Times (NYT), this move could lead to financial seizures and allow police to treat any crimes they commit as terrorist activity.
Canadian government officials say that Canada is the first nation to label the Proud Boys a terrorist group. The events last month in Washington, they added, contributed to the move, which was already under consideration.