A few members of the far-right group the Proud
Boys walked through downtown Rockville Centre on Small Business Saturday,
sparking concern among officials, local businesses and residents.
Video shows the group as they rallied from Sunrise Highway to the business
district in Park Avenue, waving American flags and “Don’t Tread on Me” flags.
State Sen. Todd Kaminsky condemned the rally on
Twitter, saying in part, “I think we need to let them know they have no home
here. We do believe in diversity and inclusion and we don’t accept what they’re
putting down. Otherwise a march of 20 becomes a march of 100 and who knows
where it goes from there.”
U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice also put out a
statement on Twitter, saying, "I am disgusted that this took place in our
district. I will continue to fight against racism, hatred, and white
nationalism while serving as your representative."
Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray told News
12 the Proud Boys did not have a permit for the rally. He said the rally was
mostly orderly, but Proud Boys message of hate is not supported by him or the
community.
According to the Associated Press, roughly three dozen Proud
Boys leaders, members and associates were charged in the Capitol riot. Some of
them are charged with conspiring to carry out a coordinated attack on the
Capitol to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s electoral
victory.
Members of the group frequently brawl with antifascist
activists at rallies and protests. They are self-described “Western
chauvinists” who emerged from far-right fringes and entered mainstream
Republican circles during former President Donald Trump’s administration.