On June 24, 2023, several right-wing groups held a rally in Oregon City to protest a pro-Pride event. The pro-Pride gathering served as a fundraising event for LGBTQ+ youth residing in Clackamas County.
The right-wing organizations in attendance were protesting the alleged “pro-grooming” nature of this pro-LGBTQ+ event.
While this was an ostensibly anti-grooming rally, conflict soon broke out among members of the Portland chapter of the Proud Boys and Rose City Nationalists.
The Proud Boys are a civic nationalist, pro-Trump organization committed to defending Western civilization and fighting against political correctness.
The Rose City Nationalists are part of a broader coalition of white identitarian groups based in the Pacific Northwest.
The Rose City Nationalists tried to mix with the Proud Boys during the protests, which was met with major pushback from the latter organization.
Proud Boys members shouted at the Rose City Nationalists activists and demanded they leave the scene. Some Proud Boys members unmasked Rose City Nationalists demonstrators, based on the assumption they were undercover FBI agents.
Following a brief confrontation between the two groups, several Proud Boys members ripped off the masks off several white nationalist group members. The Rose City Nationalists members then tried to flee the scene while covering their faces.
On social media, many pro-Trump commentators claimed the Rose City Nationalists were actually undercover FBI agents who were sent to incite a violent incident during the protest.
The FBI later published a statement, declaring it was “appalled” at the suggestion that it helped spark this brawl.
Over the past few years, the FBI has been increasingly criticized for its behavior, which many believe disproportionately targets right-wing organizations to the benefit of leftist institutions.
Should the FBI continue to be exposed for foul play, the call for its eventual abolition will likely be a normal position held by right-wing leaders in the near future.