IFA Statement On Arrest Of Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio

“We hope today’s arrest marks the start of some fundamental accountability and justice when it comes to the far-right extremists who are terrorizing our communities and our country.”

Integrity First for America Executive Director Amy Spitalnick released the following statement upon news that Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio has been arrested in Washington, DC:

“The arrest of Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio marks a very initial step toward accountability for violent extremists who so rarely face any.

These white supremacists and other far-right extremists use violence, threats, and harassment to further their vile vision for this country.

When our justice system ensures that they face real accountability, it can have major impacts on the ability of these leaders and hate groups to operate.

We see that firsthand in our lawsuit against the neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and hate groups responsible for the Charlottesville violence. Neo-Nazi leader Richard Spencer called the suit ‘financially crippling,’ while hate groups have been forced to scale back operations and more. Some have already faced huge financial penalties and jail time, even before our trial later this year.

We hope today’s arrest marks the start of some fundamental accountability and justice when it comes to the far-right extremists who are terrorizing our communities and our country.”

Integrity First for America (IFA) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to holding those accountable who threaten longstanding principles of our democracy—including our country's commitment to civil rights and equal justice. IFA is backing the landmark federal lawsuit against the two dozen neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and hate groups responsible for the August 2017 violence in Charlottesville. Trial is scheduled for this year. To learn more about the case, click here.