San Joaquin Proud Boys
The Proud Boys have maintained a visible presence in California’s San Joaquin Valley, engaging in localized far-right activism, intimidation tactics, and alliances with conservative groups. Below is an overview of their activities and impact in the region as of early 2025:
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Local Presence and Key Activities
Modesto City Council Disruptions: Proud Boys repeatedly attended Modesto city council meetings in 2024, jeering residents advocating for police accountability and clashing with attendees. During a June 2024 meeting, they shouted slogans like “Uhuru!” and interrupted speakers, prompting Mayor Sue Zwahlen to recess the session[4].
Fresno Protests: Members disrupted efforts to preserve Fresno’s LGBTQ-friendly Tower Theatre in 2024, shoving a pregnant protester and provoking confrontations. Police arrested a man linked to the group for possessing pepper spray[4]. Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer condemned their “intimidating” behavior, noting most members were outsiders[4].
Anti-LGBTQ+ Actions:
Disrupted a drag show in Yolo County (July 2024), leading to threats against the venue[5].
Joined anti-LGBTQ+ protests at school boards, including opposing “social justice standards” in Los Alamitos (May 2024)[4].
Political Alliances: Collaborated with local GOP figures, such as former Fresno sheriff’s deputy Todd Cotta, who hosted Proud Boys leaders on his podcast to downplay their role in the January 6 Capitol attack[4].
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Community Backlash and Law Enforcement Response
Public Condemnation: Fresno’s mayor and city council denounced the group’s intimidation tactics, emphasizing their role in dividing the community[4]. Similar pushback occurred in Modesto, where residents labeled them “Nazis” during council meetings[4].
Law Enforcement Tensions: While some Proud Boys claimed ties to local police, Fresno authorities arrested members for violence at protests. However, critics allege inconsistent enforcement[4].
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Connections to National Networks
Decentralized Structure: San Joaquin chapters operate semi-autonomously but maintain ties to broader Proud Boys networks. Members avoid discussing national leadership, stating, “We have a network. We just don’t necessarily talk about it”[4].
Post-January 6 Resurgence: Despite federal prosecutions of national leaders, local chapters remained active, pivoting to hyper-local issues like anti-LGBTQ+ rallies and school board disruptions[4].
Trump Pardons: Former chairman Enrique Tarrio, pardoned by Trump in January 2025, vowed continued activism, potentially emboldening San Joaquin members[13].
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Recruitment and Public Relations
PR Challenges: Allies like Todd Cotta urged rebranding to counter perceptions of extremism, comparing them to “1% biker gangs” needing community outreach[4].
Violent Rhetoric: Members framed themselves as “defenders” of free speech, despite documented assaults and hate speech[4].
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Recent Developments (2024–2025)
Anti-Abortion March: In January 2025, Proud Boys joined San Francisco’s March for Life, claiming to uphold “traditional Western values”[7].
Border Vigilantism: Arizona chapters collaborated with border militia groups in 2023, though no similar activity has been reported in San Joaquin[3].
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The Proud Boys’ San Joaquin activities reflect a strategic shift toward localized culture-war conflicts, leveraging decentralized operations to evade accountability while aligning with national far-right trends[4]. Their presence continues to provoke community division and confrontations, despite condemnation from civic leaders.
Sources
[1] The Proud Boys - ACLED https://acleddata.com/the-proud-boys/
[2] Proud Boys - ADL https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/proud-boys
[3] Riding the Tide : The Shifting Identity of the Proud Boys Since the Capitol Riot https://acleddata.com/2023/12/14/riding-the-tide-the-shifting-proud-boys-identity-since-the-capitol-riot/
[4] Big Valley: California Proud Boys use secretive network to ... https://www.randomlengthsnews.com/archives/2021/07/12/proud-boys/34481
[5] Are the Proud Boys growing in the Sacramento region? - CBS News https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/getting-answers-are-proud-boys-growing-in-sacramento-region/
[6] Proud Boys - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proud_Boys
[7] Proud Boys march with anti-abortion activists in San Francisco https://sfstandard.com/2025/01/25/proud-boys-anti-aobrtion-march/
[8] San Joaquin Sheriff asks for patience in animal neglect investigation https://www.yahoo.com/news/pleading-case-san-joaquin-sheriff-205500607.html
[9] Big Valley: California Proud Boys use secretive network to promote ... https://www.randomlengthsnews.com/archives/2021/07/12/proud-boys/34481
[10] Proud Boys members under hate crime investigation after disrupting ... https://abc7news.com/drag-queen-story-hour-panda-dulce-san-lorenzo-library-proud-boys/11956109/
[11] San Joaquin Pride Center (@sjpridecenter) - Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sjpridecenter/?hl=en
[12] Proud Boys march with anti-abortion activists in San Francisco https://sfstandard.com/2025/01/25/proud-boys-anti-aobrtion-march/
[13] Freed Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio vows vengeance after ... https://nypost.com/2025/01/23/us-news/freed-former-proud-boys-leader-enrique-tarrio-vows-vengeance-after-trump-pardon/
[14] ** Update: The... - San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SJSheriff/posts/-update-the-sheriffs-office-found-out-this-morning-that-the-department-of-justic/973173778185761/
[15] Fresno Police Chief carried on multi-year affair with officer’s wife https://sjvsun.com/news/fresno/fresno-police-chief-carried-on-multi-year-affair-with-officers-wife/
[16] Ex-Proud Boys' Enrique Tarrio arrives in Miami after Trump pardon https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/ex-proud-boys-enrique-tarrio-arrives-in-miami-after-trump-pardon/
[17] Umatilla County, Oregon Man Sentenced for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Other Offenses During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach https://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/news/local-news/62535-umatilla-county-oregon-man-sentenced-for-assaulting-law-enforcement-and-other-offenses-during-jan-6-capitol-breach
[18] Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio asks for Jan. 6 Trump pardon https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/video/former-proud-boys-leader-enrique-tarrio-asks-for-jan-6-trump-pardon/
[19] Calif. statehouse candidate says she didn't join Capitol riot. Video shows otherwise https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2024/03/30/jan-6-denise-aguilar-california-assembly-candidate/73147327007/
[20] An eight-minute interview with a Proud Boy in Sacramento https://jweekly.com/2021/03/03/an-eight-minute-interview-with-a-proud-boy-in-sacramento/
[21] Leadership Stockton Class of 2024 https://www.caravannews.com/News/leadership-stockton-class-of-2024
[22] Massive Car Caravan Supporting Farmers In India Overwhelms Sacramento As Clashes Between Proud Boys, Antifa Continue Near Capitol https://www.capradio.org/articles/2020/12/19/massive-car-caravan-demonstration-supporting-farmers-in-india-overwhelms-sacramento-as-proud-boy-antifa-clashes-continue-near-capitol/
[23] Kids can hone their bicycle safety skills and win prizes at upcoming Stockton bike rodeo https://localnewsmatters.org/2024/03/31/kids-can-hone-their-bicycle-safety-skills-and-win-prizes-at-upcoming-stockton-bike-rodeo/
[24] Parents call for San Joaquin County superintendent to resign https://www.abc10.com/article/news/education/parents-call-for-san-joaquin-county-superintendent-to-resign/103-236d0b04-5fcd-402a-8eb6-ccd5b91d2972
[25] San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office - We are monitoring a large ... https://www.facebook.com/SJSheriff/photos/a.209696839232691/1463953440473685/?type=3
[26] Pride & Prejudice: The Violent Evolution of the Proud Boys https://ctc.westpoint.edu/pride-prejudice-the-violent-evolution-of-the-proud-boys/
[27] Trump Supporters, Proud Boys Converge On California's Capitol To ... https://www.capradio.org/articles/2021/01/06/trump-supporters-proud-boys-converge-on-californias-capitol-to-protest-electoral-college-count/
[28] San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office - We are monitoring a ... https://www.facebook.com/1463953440473685
[29] Do you recognize these racists? Today BLM protesters ... - Instagram https://www.instagram.com/209thymes/p/COEgmiKHRu1/
[30] #SJCARES Our newly created, San Joaquin Community ... https://www.instagram.com/sjcprobation/p/C70FGphvZab/
[31] The Proud Boys are back: How the far-right group is rebuilding https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-election-proudboys/
[32] Proud Boys news - Today's latest updates - CBS Sacramento https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/tag/proud-boys/
[33] Proud Boys disrupted drag queen storytelling at San Lorenzo library https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/men-disrupt-drag-queen-storytelling-at-san-lorenzo-library-shouting-homophobic-slurs/
[34] CIF-Sac Joaquin Section basketball championships: Live updates — Modesto Christian boys, St. Mary's each win 22nd titles https://www.si.com/high-school/california/2024/02/21/cif-sac-joaquin-section-basketball-championships-live-updates-division-1-3-title-boys-girls-games-from-golden-1-center
[35] Proud Boys - ADL https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/proud-boys
[36] The DACA Road from Tranquillity to San Joaquin https://fresnoalliance.com/daca-road-tranquillity-san-joaquin/
[37] More Than Brawlers: The Proud Boys and Armed Extremism https://everytownresearch.org/report/more-than-brawlers-the-proud-boys-and-armed-extremism/