OWENSBORO, KY, July 5 —Antifascist workers and youth organized a rally today for community members to stand up to the modern Nazis known as the "Proud Boys," the same fascists who Klansman-in-Chief Trump pardoned after their riot at the U.S. Capitol in 2021. The Proud Boys came to Owensboro for a social gathering, and communists in the revolutionary Progressive Labor Party (PLP) were there to help ruin their little fascist barbecue!
Despite warnings from liberals against protesting the Proud Boys, confronting these fascists was necessary to show that they weren’t welcome in Kentucky, and that workers here would oppose them. With actions like these you're not just dealing with fascists like the Proud Boys but also the racist police/state terror apparatus there to protect them, and the liberal fascists whose role is to weaken antifascist militancy and promote passivity.
Against this capitalist dictatorship, ultimately only a communist revolution for workers’ power can smash these fascists - and the genocidal imperialist system that spawns them - once and for all!
When the enemy camps, we harass!
The plan was to march on the park where the fascists were gathered, chant, make our presence known and not put anyone in unnecessary danger – especially given the police presence at the other end of the field. As we congregated in the parking lot, a drunk Proud Boy leader on a motorcycle rode up and tried to intimidate us and yelled the N-word at a comrade - but rode off as we walked up in unison. When the Proud Boys heard our chants, about ten of them jumped a fence separating us and advanced towards us.
Fascists only understand violence and will always attack if they are more in number. Unlike what the liberal fascists and misleaders claim, the very fact that workers fear protesting these gutter fascists is what emboldens them – and the fascists fear workers’ anger the most.
Tactical retreat leads to strategic advance
And so, despite being outnumbered and out-gunned, we held the line when the fascists attacked. PL’ers gave direction for everyone to fall back orderly and safely, protecting anyone in danger, especially the women who were specifically targeted during the fascists' failed assault. The fascists’ attack ended in such failure and confusion the Proud Boys could even be seen slamming women who were trying to run at us.
Despite things not going to plan, we took advantage of the fascists’ disorganization and repelled the fascist attack through leadership, discipline, and decades of PLP experience dealing with these fascist cockroaches. And by looking out for each other on the ground, everyone made it out safely with no arrests. The highlight of the day was when a Black antifascist knocked the racial slur-spewing leader of the Proud Boys to his knees.
The liberal misleaders and fake leftists publicly condemn antifascist violence and threaten militant workers not to confront fascism with “blacklists” — they even told a Black antifascist fighter to “get out and stay out of Owensboro!” Actual workers from the community, however, admired our commitment and said we spoke and stood on behalf of them. One worker said, "I need you all to understand that you ALWAYS have a home with us, whether it be meetings, somewhere to sleep, or grabbing a meal.” Another said, “You are all absolutely welcome anytime and we'll happily continue to rally with you!” Afterwards, we were given free drinks from a local pub where the fascists were banned.
Stand in the face of fascism – build a mass PLP!
The event inspired confidence in new antifascist fighters – as one reflected, this event showed we can say, “No.” Not in our town! We stood in the face of charging Proud Boys and refused to submit to their aggression!” We’ve already followed up with our new contact, and several are interested in joining the Party.
