Source: MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images / Getty
Patriot Front, a white nationalist group born in the ashes of the Unite The Right rally in Charlottesville, gathered in Boston over the weekend for a public demonstration event. Comedian and actor David Alan Grier shared an image via social media referring to the group as “the new Klan.”
Seemingly emboldened by the likes of former President Donald Trump and the larger so-called “alt-right movement,” the Patriot Front took to the streets of Boston on Saturday (July 2) armed with police shields, masks, and United States flags bearing just 13 stars to represent the original colonies.
CNN reports that the marchers took to the streets in the early afternoon hours, dressed in khaki pants, dark shirts, covered faces, and eyeglasses in what seemingly is an attempt to obscure their faces and hide their identities. The network added that along with flags representing the group, they also flew flags with Benito Mussolini’s National Fascist Party symbol on them.
As the march went on, reports surfaced that members of the group reportedly injured a Black man after an exchange of words. The man was said to be pushed towards the group, shoved, and physically assaulted to the point of injury. Local outlet The Boston Herald reports that he was taken to a local medical center for treatment.
Grier, 66. shared an image of the marchers to his Twitter account with the caption “Meet the new Klan.” Grier’s tweet garnered a number of retweets, especially considering the events of the weekend led to a violent altercation. Activists in the community intend to return to the site of the march and attack on Monday (July 4) in counterprotest according to reports.
Meet the new Klan pic.twitter.com/OYMRVDfQVX
— David Alan Grier (@davidalangrier) July 3, 2022
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu shared a statement of the incident via Twitter, vowing to stand tall in the face of the group’s actions.
The disgusting hate of white supremacists has no place here. Esp when so many of our rights are under attack, we will not normalize intimidation by bigots.
As we mark Boston’s legacy as the cradle of liberty, we celebrate the continued fight to expand those liberties for all.
— Mayor Michelle Wu 吳弭 (@MayorWu) July 2, 2022
“The disgusting hate of white supremacists has no place here. Esp when so many of our rights are under attack, we will not normalize intimidation by bigots,” began Wu’s tweet.
She added, “As we mark Boston’s legacy as the cradle of liberty, we celebrate the continued fight to expand those liberties for all.”
On Twitter, folks are reacting to David Alan Grier referring to the Patriot Front as a modern version of the Ku Klux Klan. Those comments are listed down below.
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Photo: Getty
1.
David Allen Grier was right this is the new Klan. Klan 2.0 changed their hoods to masks. I bet everyone of them was against masks when Covid was ravishing the U.S. Every one of them is a coward. pic.twitter.com/QR5piUrM4N
— Liberal Lisa in Oklahoma (@lisa_liberal) July 4, 2022
2.
I'm Black, my family was in America in the 1640's. My great-great-great grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War. I AM TRULY A SON OF THIS REPUBLIC, and you mean to tell me that some klan member is a PATRIOT? We don't know what a patriot looks like. I'm a Marine & Soldier!
— Gerald Phipps (@rochester_new) July 4, 2022
3.
The new Klan.
I bet they were against the covid19 mask mandate. Only hate could get these cowards to wear a mask. pic.twitter.com/xHegN8MoYK— NOakland (@NatoyaOakland) July 4, 2022
4.
The white masks are a callback to the Klu Klux Klan (the "political" platform of domestic terrorism they embrace), but also to avoid shame. Not of being racist, but of being the spoiled son of an owner of a slate of car dealerships. A fourth-generation landlord. Of softness.
— Cheryl Lynn Eaton (@cheryllynneaton) July 4, 2022
5.
Same as the old klan, these men are your brothers, cousins, Uber drivers, cops, repairmen, teachers, and fast food workers.
If you’re white in the U.S., whether you’re aware of it, you DO know other white people who sympathize with these. Start asking and get to work fixing it. https://t.co/z89AnmbYFn
— J.P. Spencer (@JohnathanPerk) July 4, 2022
6.
Patriot Front is the 21st century Klan in windbreakers & khakis. pic.twitter.com/2AC9lfwSaa
— The USA Singers (@TheUSASingers) July 4, 2022
7.
If you are a part of this hate and emotionally disturbed KLAN, watch out. You enter my space and you will feel the wrath of a true patriot!
And, you look like total losers. The laughable ones. Stop embarrassing yourselves! #FreshResists pic.twitter.com/PszlEpifEE
— We HearVoicesOutThere (@WeHearPodcast) July 4, 2022
8.
Sorry, America doesn't celebrate mediocrity, losers and those who want to destroy this nation.
Take your Klan holiday some place else.
— Chafed Charlie
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(@ChafedCharlie) July 4, 2022
9.
Tired of Klan based lifeform Christian Nationalists thumping a bible they don't read and damn sure don't follow.
— modern man (@tooronlists) July 4, 2022
10.
.
The Klan was never gone…. . . but now they have new costumes.
Disgusting !
— Marko Silberhand (@MarkoSilberhand) July 4, 2022


(@ChafedCharlie)