Nassau officials condemn Proud Boys rally in Rockville Centre

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.

News 12 Staff

Nov 28, 2021, 5:17 PM

Updated 1,085 days ago

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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.