Proud Boys Leader Charged With Conspiracy For Role In Jan. 6 Attack

Photo: Lawyer's Committee

Washington, DC) – On Tuesday, longtime leader of the Proud Boys, Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, was indicted on conspiracy for the Jan. 6 Capitol attack last year, according to recent reports.

The following is a statement from Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law:

“The Lawyers’ Committee applauds the Justice Department for bringing charges against Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio. In addition to being charged as a key organizer of the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Tarrio and the Proud Boys are also responsible for a hateful attack on the historic Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, DC. The Lawyers’ Committee has filed multiple civil rights lawsuits against Tarrio and the Proud Boys, seeking justice through the courts to hold them accountable to the communities they harmed through these racist attacks. The new conspiracy charges filed by the Justice Department complement our civil lawsuits. Together, these actions should send the message that perpetrators and co-conspirators of racist violence cannot evade responsibility for their actions.”

Background

In early 2021 the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and co-counsel filed a lawsuit against the Proud Boys and their leader Enrique Tarrio for vandalizing the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, a historically Black church. The Metro A.M.E achieved a significant victory in an initial phase of its lawsuit after a default ruling declaring that defendant Proud Boys International, LLC forfeited the case.

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Later in 2021, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed suit on behalf of eight U.S. Capitol Police officers who defended the ballot certification process at the U.S. Capitol during the violent insurrection on January 6 of that year. Learn more here.