After Donald Trump instructed the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” during the presidential debate, a member of the group was arrested in Portland, Oregon on 12 charges — including six felonies.
Alan Swinney is a self-identified member of the Proud Boys and was arrested on the charges of assault, pointing a firearm at another person, unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful use of mace.
It is alleged that Swinney pointed a revolver at an individual during a Black Lives Matter protest “which placed that person in fear of imminent serious physical injury,” read the indictment.
On two separate occasions, he also used a paintball gun to injure another person. After George Floyd’s death, Swinney used mace and physically assaulted people who partook in protests against police brutality and racial injustice.
Meg McLain, who was one of the victims shot by Swinney’s paintball gun, filed a $250,000 lawsuit against. She stated that because of the incident, she was distressed and in pain, which began to interfere with her daily life activities. Although she reported the incident to the police, he was not arrested.
A screenshot of a specific Tweet by Swinney was also included in her court documents. “Whoever’s in charge in Portland can fuck all the way off. You’re not going to tell me how I can defend myself,” he wrote.
Aside from witness statements, an Oregon Public Broadcasting reporter caught Swinney — on video — pointing his gun at people during the protests.
On Tuesday afternoon (Sep. 29), Swinney posted to Twitter asking people to help him with his legal fees. “Help me fight these people,” he tweeted. “Every retweet makes a terrorist lose his or her mind.” His Twitter account has since been deleted.
On Thursday, the Proud Boys member was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to all 12 charges. He will appear in court on Nov. 13.
© 2020, Jonathan P-Wright. All rights reserved.
