Newly released video footage shows a New York City brawl between members of the far-left Antifa group and the Proud Boys, a group established by libertarian Gavin McInnes.
The footage was made public by the NYPD, which asked members of the public to help identify people seen in the footage fighting.
“We need your help identifying these individuals,” the NYPD said, noting people could send a message on Twitter to the NYPD Tips account or call 800-577-TIPS.
In the footage, four Antifa members are seen facing an unseen group before one of them hurls an object believed to be a bottle at the opposing group. That’s when the Proud Boys appear and start punching Antifa.
Antifa Arrested
Three members of Antifa were located and arrested after the fight broke up and everyone involved fled. They were identified as Finbarr Slonim, Kai Russo, and Caleb Perkins, reported CBS.Top NYPD officials said during a Monday afternoon press conference that the fight started outside the club after McInnes spoke inside. A few dozen Antifa members were outside the club protesting.
They’re wanted for riot and attempted assault.
Police successfully disrupted the fight but a second altercation broke out when members of Antifa attacked members of the Proud Boys that were being escorted by officers soon after the first fight. That second altercation was captured on the footage shared by the NYPD.
Proud Boys and Antifa
The Proud Boys are often described as part of the far right or so-called alt-right by detractors, but others note their core tenents are a mix of libertarian and conservative principles and their founder has urged members to be careful not to let people in who are suspected of being part of the alt-right.New York State GOP Chairman Ed Cox refused to cancel McInnes’s scheduled talk after the club, which serves as headquarters for both the statewide New York Republican Party and the Manhattan Republican Party, noting that the organizations believe in free speech and don’t necessarily agree with the views of everyone who speaks there.