Twitter has permanently suspended the “Proud Boys,” as well as the right-wing group’s ringleader, Vice co-founder Gavin McInnes, on Friday, the company confirmed to TheWrap.
The suspensions were for violating Twitter’s policy against “violent extremist groups,” a Twitter representative told TheWrap. The “zero-tolerance policy” prohibits, among other things, accounts that “engaged in, or currently engage in, violence (and/or the promotion of violence) as a means to further their cause.”
About a dozen regional accounts associated with the organization were also suspended, according to BuzzFeed News, the first outlet to report the story.
The move comes as the “Unite the Right” rally is set to start in Washington, D.C. on Friday. Jason Kessler, the organizer of last year’s rally in Charlottesville, was booted as a member of the Proud Boys after the event turned violent.
McInnes founded the Proud Boys in 2016. On its website, the group calls itself a “pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world; aka Western Chauvinists.” The group did not immediately respond to a request for comment from TheWrap.
Twitter’s decision to suspended the Proud Boys and McInnes comes after the company decided to not suspended digital shock jock Alex Jones earlier in the week, bucking a trend set by its Silicon Valley neighbors Facebook and Apple.
10 Most Shocking Russian Troll Posts on Facebook and Instagram, From Hillary Clinton to Police Brutality (Photos)
The U.S. House Intelligence Committee on Thursday released more than 3,500 advertisements and posts spread by Russian trolls before and after the 2016 U.S. election. Below is a look at 10 of the most shocking examples that stood out from Congress's reveal.
House Intelligence Committee
Many posts pushed the narrative that Hillary Clinton would confiscate guns if she were elected President.
House Intelligence Committee
This graphic meme painted cops as KKK members attacking a young black child.
House Intelligence Committee
Only "sissies" and other undesirables wouldn't support Donald Trump, many of the memes said.
House Intelligence Committee
President Obama was a "pawn" and "traitor" in the hands of "Arabian Sheikhs," said one 2016 ad.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Black Matters US" page touched on hot button issues like police shootings.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Army of Jesus" page shared a bible verse, along with this meme.
House Intelligence Committee
Russian trolls also used Instagram to spread sponsored political memes.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Blacktivist" page routinely shared memes on Colin Kaepernick and other football players kneeling during the national anthem.
House Intelligence Committee
"Heart of Texas" routinely posted on "Killary Rotten Clinton," and threatened to secede from the union if she won the election.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Being Patriotic" page labeled ex-cons as "Obama voters."
House Intelligence Committee
1 of 11
Congress just released 3,500 posts touching on a myriad of topics
The U.S. House Intelligence Committee on Thursday released more than 3,500 advertisements and posts spread by Russian trolls before and after the 2016 U.S. election. Below is a look at 10 of the most shocking examples that stood out from Congress's reveal.