Group’s Founder Claims Suspension Is ‘A Coordinated Attack to Prevent Trump From Getting Re-Elected’
Twitter has suspended more than a dozen accounts associated with the far right wing group called “Proud Boys,” and the account of the group’s founder, Gavin McInnes (photo), who happens to be the co-founder of VICE Media.
Twitter says they were suspended “for violating our policy prohibiting violent extremist groups,” Buzzfeed reports.
“We can confirm that these accounts have been suspended from Twitter and Periscope for violating our policy prohibiting violent extremist groups,” Twitter said in a statement to BuzzFeed News.
Buzzfeed adds that Proud Boys’ “members have taken part in violent rallies across the country, including one last week in Portland.”
Proud Boys “deny connection to the so-called alt-right but speak alongside avowed neo-Nazis at rallies, saying they are defending free speech,” Buzzfeed adds.
The far right wing website Gateway Pundit, known for spreading fake news, claims the suspension is “permanent.” That claim has not been verified by NCRM, nor did Buzzfeed report the suspension as permanent.
But Gateway Pundit claims McInnes is calling the suspension “a coordinated attack to prevent Trump from getting re-elected.”
It’s unclear how suspending a dozen or so Proud Boy accounts will stop Trump from getting re-elected.
“It’s pointless however because he’s already won and ironically, it’s because of moves like this,” McInnes added, according to the far right site.
The next presidential election is in November of 2020.
The Southern Poverty Law Center has designated Proud Boys as a hate group, and has published a detailed review of the group.
RELATED: Social Media Users Furious Twitter Hasn’t Banned Alex Jones – as Its CEO Defends Keeping Him
Image via Wikimedia and a CC license