- MMP: Patriot Prayer

Patriot Prayer

Patriot Prayer is a loosely organized, far-right, antigovernment group based in Vancouver, Washington, a suburban city near Portland, Oregon.

Key Statistics

2016

First Recorded Activity

2017

First Attack

2022

Profile Last Updated

Profile Contents

Overview

Narrative of the Organization's History

Overview Overview

Organization

Leadership, Name Changes, Size Estimates, Resources, Geographic Locations

Organization Organization

Strategy

Ideology, Aims, Political Activities, Targets, and Tactics

Strategy Strategy

Major Attacks

First Attacks, Largest Attacks, Notable Attacks

Major Attacks Major Attacks

Interactions

Foreign Designations and Listings, Community Relations, Relations with Other Groups, State Sponsors and External Influences

Interactions Interactions

Maps

Mapping relationships with other militant groups over time

Maps Maps

Contact MMP

Send a message to the Mapping Militants team.

mappingmilitants@lists.stanford.edu

Download Full Profile as PDF

Last updated March 2022.

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How to Cite

Mapping Militant Organizations. “Patriot Prayer.” Stanford University. Last Modified March 2022. https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/patriot-prayer

Organizational Overview

Formed: 2016

Disbanded: Group is Active.

First Attack: April 2, 2017: Joey Gibson organized a “Rally for Trump and Freedom” in Vancouver, Washington. There was at least one minor skirmish at the event, and several people were arrested.[1]

Last Attack: September 10, 2021: Joey Gibson and Tusitala “Tiny” Toese were reportedly present among a group of about 40 people who gathered at a Vancouver, Washington high school to oppose the state’s mask mandate in schools.[2] The demonstration violated a court order and implicitly threatened violence.

Executive Summary

Patriot Prayer is a loosely organized, far-right, antigovernment group. It was founded by Joey Gibson in 2016 and is based in Vancouver, Washington, a suburban city near Portland, Oregon.[3] According to Patriot Prayer’s Facebook page, the group seeks to “[encourage] the country to fight for freedom at a local level using faith in God to guide us in the right direction.”[4] Patriot Prayer also aims to fight “corruption, big government, and tyranny” and to “liberate the conservatives on the West Coast.”[5] Since 2016, Patriot Prayer has organized and participated in pro-gun, pro-Trump rallies in liberal cities across the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. These events have often attracted white supremacists and other far-right, antigovernment groups, including the Proud Boys and the Three Percenters.[6] While Patriot Prayer claims to be non-violent, its members have frequently provoked and engaged in violent confrontations with left-wing protesters.[7] Patriot Prayer attracted national attention in August 2020, when a member of the group was fatally shot during a skirmish with Black Lives Matter protesters in Portland, Oregon.[8]

Group Narrative

Patriot Prayer was founded in 2016 by Joey Gibson, a resident of Vancouver, Washington.[9] Gibson became a conservative political activist during Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016.[10] Gibson attended the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, and he organized and spoke at several pro-Trump rallies in Washington state.[11] He posted videos on Facebook and YouTube to attract a following for his rallies, generating an online following that laid the basis for Patriot Prayer.[12]

Gibson was reportedly motivated to form Patriot Prayer by the belief that the rights of conservatives to speak freely was being impeded by left-wing activists. He aimed to confront liberals on the West Coast, including local anti-fascist (antifa) groups.[13] The group’s Facebook page – which it used to attract followers and organize events until Facebook took it down in 2020 – was originally launched in 2017.[14] According to this Facebook page, “Patriot Prayer is about fighting corruption, big government, and tyranny using God for strength and the power of love.”[15] The group also aims to support free speech and gun rights and to “liberate the conservatives on the West Coast.”[16]

There is little publicly available information about the specifics of the Patriot Prayer’s formation. Gibson reportedly converted the online pages that he used to publicize his activism to represent his new group, Patriot Prayer.[17] However, it is unclear if Gibson collaborated with others to create the group (e.g., an existing set of followers) or if he acted alone. In 2017, a local newspaper described the group as an “online community-slash-movement.”[18] In 2019, the group reportedly had 15 core members, though there are no independent verifications of this estimate.[19]

The group focused largely on antagonizing the left. Following Gibson’s pattern of activism, Patriot Prayer organized rallies in liberal cities across the Pacific Northwest and Northern California with the aim of provoking a response from left-wing activists. [20] In a 2019 court document, Gibson stated that he had used the group’s Facebook page to organize nearly 90 events between 2017-2019. Patriot Prayer events emphasized protecting first and second amendment rights, in addition to generally supporting “freedom” and religious themes.[21] The group’s rallies consistently drew large counter-protests and often culminated in violence.[22] Neo-Nazis and other organized white supremacists appeared at the group’s rallies and events, though Gibson has repeatedly denied that Patriot Prayer is a white supremacist organization.[23] Other far-right groups, such as the Proud Boys and the Three Percenters, also joined Patriot Prayer’s events.[24]

In June 2017, Patriot Prayer organized a “Trump Free Speech Rally” in Portland, Oregon. The event was set to take place just one week after a white supremacist, Jeremy Christian, harassed two women and stabbed three men in Portland. Christian had attended a Patriot Prayer rally in April 2017, though he was removed for his racist and aggressive behavior.[25] After the stabbing, Portland mayor Ted Wheeler requested that the permit for Gibson’s June 2017 rally be rescinded, which Gibson claimed was an attempt “to use these two dead people to silence us.” Wheeler’s request was ultimately rejected, and the rally was allowed to proceed.[26] The event attracted hundreds of protestors and counter-protestors, and members of the Oath Keepers reportedly provided security. A large police presence prevented outbreaks of violence, though 14 people were arrested and several weapons were confiscated from attendees.[27]

Shortly after the Trump Free Speech Rally, Gibson organized another protest in support of free speech at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. The rally came in response to a controversial “Day of Absence” event at Evergreen State that would discourage white people from coming to campus for a day.[28] Roughly one hundred people attended the “Free Speech” rally alongside Patriot Prayer, though they were met by hundreds of counter-protestors. Some members of the two sides aggressively confronted each other, though Gibson himself attempted to non-violently engage antifa counter-protestors in a dialogue. After the rally, Gibson complained, “Not one person shook my hand, not one. I just wanted to have a conversation with them.”[29]

Though Gibson asserted that he wanted to engage in non-violent dialogue, his rallies often ended in violence between Patriot Prayer-aligned protestors and antifa-aligned counter-protestors. In August 2017, a Patriot Prayer event immediately devolved into violence as protestors and counter-protestors punched and sprayed each other with pepper spray.[30] At a June 2018 event in Portland, Patriot Prayer members sprayed a counter-protestor in the face with a fire extinguisher to end a verbal confrontation.[31] At another June 2018 event, a Patriot Prayer rally in Portland turned into a violent riot. Antifa counter-protestors threw objects at right-wing attendees, who then responded by beating antifa counter-protestors with flagpoles and PVC pipes, fracturing the skull of one counter-protestor.[32]

In May 2019, a day of demonstrations ended in violence when Gibson and members of Patriot Prayer engaged with antifa counter-protestors outside the Cider Riot bar in Portland.[33] According to a police officer, Gibson was observed “‘taunting’ and threatening members of antifa and later ‘physically pushing’ a woman before she was hit with a baton and knocked unconscious by someone else.”[34] Police arrested Gibson on felony rioting charges, but he was released on bail hours later.[35] A rally by the Proud Boys and Three Percenters was planned for the following day, and Gibson encouraged his followers to “show up one hundred fold” at the event.[36]

In February 2019, the Portland Police came under pressure after it was revealed that Gibson had maintained a friendly relationship with Lieutenant Jeff Niiya, the commander of the department's rapid response team. Obtained by the newspaper Willamette Week through a public records request, the texts show that the two were in frequent communication both before and during Gibson’s protests.[37] While it is not unusual for police to be in contact with activists planning an event, the texts raised concerns that Portland police gave Gibson and Patriot Prayer preferential treatment over the left-wing activists with whom the group has frequently clashed. While Niiya did ask routine questions regarding crowd sizes and scheduling, he also regularly gave Gibson advance warnings regarding the arrival of counter-protesters and sympathized with his frustrations.[38]

In one text exchange during a protest on December 23, 2017, Niiya wrote to Gibson: “Heads up just told 4-5 black Bloch [a nickname for antifa] heading your way. One carrying a flag. We will have officers nearby but you may want to think about moving soon if more come.”[39] In another text exchange from December 2017, Niiya asked Gibson about one of his members, Tusitala “Tiny” Toese, who had a warrant out for his arrest on a disorderly conduct charge. Niiya told Gibson to make sure that Toese didn’t act aggressively or otherwise behave in a manner that would provoke his arrest. “If he still has the warrant in the system (I don't run you guys so I don't personally know) the officers could arrest him,” Niiya wrote. “I don't see a need to arrest on the warrant unless there is a reason.”[40]

Shortly after the text messages between Niiya and Gibson were released, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler acquiesced to demands from city officials and activists that he order an independent investigation into the messages.[41] During the six-month investigation, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) removed Niiya from its rapid response team. In September 2019, Portland's Independent Police Review cleared Niiya, determining that he had not violated any PPB polices.[42]

On August 29, 2020, Patriot Prayer again made national headlines again after a supporter of Patriot Prayer was shot and killed after participating in a pro-Trump truck caravan during an anti-racism protest in Portland.[43] The victim, identified by Joey Gibson as 39-year-old Aaron “Jay” Danielson, was wearing a hat and shirt with the Patriot Prayer logo when he was shot twice, allegedly by Michael Reinoehl, a self-described anti-fascist.[44] Gibson described Danielson as a “good friend and supporter of Patriot Prayer”[45] Reinoehl claimed that he acted in self-defense during the shooting and feared that he and a friend were going to be stabbed by Danielson. “I had no choice… I could have sat there and watched them kill a friend of mine of color. But I wasn't going to do that,” Reinoehl told Vice News.[46] On September 3, 2020, law enforcement officers killed Reinoehl as they attempted to arrest him.[47]

Patriot Prayer’s most high-profile event occurred on December 21, 2020, when the group organized a demonstration at the Oregon State Capitol to protest state-wide COVID-19 restrictions and mandates. On December 20, Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson tweeted to advertise the event: “State legislators will B there in person but they illegally closed the meeting to the public. We have an amazing opportunity to confront these criminals hiding from the people.”[48] Approximately 300 people attended. Some protestors attempted to enter the building and interrupt the legislature’s closed session discussing COVID-19 relief policies. They pounded on and broke glass doors and sprayed officers denying their entry with chemical agents. [49] Some protestors were armed with weapons, including rifles.[50] Several protestors successfully breached the building but were subsequently removed by law enforcement.[51] Members of the Proud Boys were also reportedly in attendance.[52] Police made at least five arrests during the six-hour rally.[53]

Throughout 2020 and 2021, Patriot Prayer participated in protests against state-wide COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates.[54] In a September 2020 interview with The Washington Post, Gibson claimed that he had “shifted the group to be less confrontational.” According to Gibson, “The last few years, we didn’t even organize in Portland. We go into smaller areas, and we have been putting all of our effort into meeting with victims of government overreach.”[55] Gibson also claimed that he no longer has ties to the Proud Boys.[56] There is no evidence that Gibson or any followers of Patriot Prayer participated in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

[1] Haukaas, Jonathan. “Clark County Trump rally disrupted by anarchists.” The Reflector, April 4, 2017. https://www.thereflector.com/stories/clark-county-trump-rally-disrupted…

[2] “Anti-mask demonstrators return to school despite court order.” The Associated Press. September 10, 2021. https://apnews.com/article/health-religion-education-coronavirus-pandemic-vancouver-7c0cd73c526d5176cb4dd49c0173c2ae.; Brynelson, Troy. “Anti-mask demonstrators return to Vancouver’s Skyview High School, despite court order.” Oregon Public Broadcasting. September 10, 2021. https://www.opb.org/article/2021/09/10/anti-mask-protests-return-vancouver-washington-skyview-high-school-court-order/. Although no violence resulted on this occasion, Patriot Prayer has consistently used its presence at events to instigate and provoke violence. Its presence threatens violence.

[3] “What We Know About Patriot Prayer.” Southern Poverty Law Center. August 31, 2020. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2020/08/31/what-we-know-about-patriot-prayer.; Neiwert, David. “What you need to know about Saturday’s ‘Patriot’ Rally in San Francisco.” Southern Poverty Law Center. August 25, 2017. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/08/25/what-you-need-know-about-saturdays-patriot-rally-san-francisco.

[4] Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.

[5] Matarrese, Andy and Lauren Dake. “Joey Gibson aims to ‘liberate conservatives’ via his Patriot Prayer group.” The Columbian. July 2, 2017. https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jul/02/joey-gibson-aims-to-liberate-conservatives-via-his-patriot-prayer-group/. Also available at: https://www.proquest.com/docview/1915075522; Bacon, John. “What is the right-wing group Patriot Prayer linked to Portland confrontations and who is Joey Gibson?” USA Today. August 30, 2020. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/08/30/patriot-prayer-joey-gibson-portland-protests/5674611002/.

[6] May, Patrick. “Who’s behind this weekend’s right-wing rally at Crissy Field.” The Mercury News. August 23, 2017. https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/08/23/whos-behind-this-weekends-right-wing-rally-at-crissy-field/.

[7] Borter, Gabriella and Andrew Hay. “What to know about Patriot Prayer as Trump supporters take stand in Portland.” Reuters. September 1, 2020. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-race-protests-patriot-prayer/what-to-know-about-patriot-prayer-as-trump-supporters-take-stand-in-portland-idUSKBN25S5Y8.

[8] McLaughlin, Erin, Susan Kroll, and David K. Li. “Far-right Patriot Prayer group says fatal shooting victim in Portland was a supporter.” NBC News. August 31, 3030. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/far-right-patriot-prayer-group-says-fatal-shooting-victim-portland-n1238867.; Flaccus, Gillian. “Patriot Prayer no stranger to protests in Northwest.” The Associated Press. August 30, 2020. https://apnews.com/article/senate-elections-race-and-ethnicity-ap-top-news-id-state-wire-or-state-wire-e101a0c72bb779b706f9d1d97a7c71ed.

[9] Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.; “Patriot Prayer rally organizer says he’s not religious or white supremacist: ‘I’m Japanese.’” KTVU Fox 2. August 23, 2017. https://www.ktvu.com/news/patriot-prayer-rally-organizer-says-hes-not-religious-or-white-supremacist-im-japanese.

[10] Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.

[11] Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland; Fowler, Lilly. “Patriot Prayer leader dislikes racists, but they seem to hear a whistle.” Crosscut, August 24, 2017. https://crosscut.com/2017/08/patriot-prayer-joey-gibson-white-supremacists-rally

[12] Matarrese, Andy and Lauren Dake. “Joey Gibson aims to ‘liberate conservatives’ via his Patriot Prayer group.” The Columbian. July 2, 2017. https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jul/02/joey-gibson-aims-to-liberate-conservatives-via-his-patriot-prayer-group/. Also available at: https://www.proquest.com/docview/1915075522

[13] Craig, Tim, and Souad Mekhennet. “Portland killing renews focus on tactics of far-right group Patriot Prayer.” Washington Post, September 1, 2020. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2020/09/01/2b7baf62-ec9b-11ea-b4bc-3a2098fc73d4_story.html

[14] “Facebook removes Patriot Prayer pages in bid to halt 'violent social militias.” The Guardian, September 4, 2020. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/sep/05/facebook-removes-patriot-prayer-pages-in-bid-to-halt-violent-social-militias

[15] Bacon, John. “What is the right-wing group Patriot Prayer linked to Portland confrontations and who is Joey Gibson?” USA Today. August 30, 2020. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/08/30/patriot-prayer-joey-gibson-portland-protests/5674611002/.

[16] Matarrese, Andy and Lauren Dake. “Joey Gibson aims to ‘liberate conservatives’ via his Patriot Prayer group.” The Columbian. July 2, 2017. https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jul/02/joey-gibson-aims-to-liberate-conservatives-via-his-patriot-prayer-group/. Also available at: https://www.proquest.com/docview/1915075522

[17] Matarrese, Andy and Lauren Dake. “Joey Gibson aims to ‘liberate conservatives’ via his Patriot Prayer group.” The Columbian. July 2, 2017. https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jul/02/joey-gibson-aims-to-liberate-conservatives-via-his-patriot-prayer-group/. Also available at: https://www.proquest.com/docview/1915075522

[18] Matarrese, Andy and Lauren Dake. “Joey Gibson aims to ‘liberate conservatives’ via his Patriot Prayer group.” The Columbian. July 2, 2017. https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jul/02/joey-gibson-aims-to-liberate-conservatives-via-his-patriot-prayer-group/. Also available at: https://www.proquest.com/docview/1915075522

[19] Zielinski, Alex. “Undercover in Patriot Prayer: Insights From a Vancouver Democrat Who's Been Working Against the Far-Right Group from the Inside.” Portland Mercury, August 26, 2019. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2019/08/26/27039560/undercover…

[20] Orecchio-Egresitz, Haven. “The right-wing group Patriot Prayer, associated with a man killed in the Portland protests, has a history of provoking left-wing groups: 'This was just a matter of time.’” Insider, August 31, 2020. https://www.insider.com/what-is-patriot-prayer-joey-gibson-right-wing-group-2020-8; Shepard, Katie, and Anna Williams. “Joey Gibson’s Strategy Now Is Just Baiting Antifa to Fight With Cops.” Willamette Week, September 15, 2017. https://www.wweek.com/news/2017/09/15/joey-gibsons-strategy-now-is-just…

[21] Cider Riot, LLC; and Abram Goldman-Armstrong v. Patriot Prayer USA, LLC; Joseph “Joey” Gibson; Ian Kramer; Christopher Ponte; David Willis; Mackenzie Lewis; Matthew Cooper; and John Does 1-25. “Declaration of Joey Gibson in Support of Defendants’ Special Motion to Strike.” Circuit Court for the State of Oregon for the County of Multnomah, Case No. 19CV20231. See Exhibit 4 for the list of Patriot Prayer events publicized on Facebook. https://www.portlandmercury.com/images/blogimages/2019/07/22/1563844865…

[22] Shepard, Katie. “After Nearly Three Years of Orchestrating Violent Rallies, Patriot Prayer Leader Joey Gibson Turns Himself In on Felony Riot Charge.” Willamette Week, August 16, 2019. https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2019/08/16/after-nearly-three-years-of-orchestrating-violent-rallies-patriot-prayer-leader-joey-gibson-turns-himself-in-on-felony-riot-charge/

[23] O’Connor, Brendan. “An Afternoon With Portland’s ‘Multiracial’ Far Right.” The Nation. August 6, 2018. https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/afternoon-portlands-multi-racial-far-right/.

[24] Bernton, Hal. “Proud Boys rally on Saturday raises concerns of more violence in Portland.” Seattle Times, September 24, 2020. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/proud-boys-rally-on-saturday-raises-concerns-of-more-violence-in-portland/; Brown, Doug. “Photos & Video: Protesters Arrested at a Donald Trump Rally in Vancouver.” Portland Mercury, April 2, 2017. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2017/04/02/18926966/photos-and-video-protesters-arrested-at-a-donald-trump-rally-in-vancouver/

[25] Wilson, Jason. “Portland knife attack: tension high as 'free speech rally' set for weekend.” The Guardian, May 29, 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/28/portland-knife-attack-free-speech-rally--sunday

[26] Andone, Dakin and Darran Simon. “Portland mayor asks feds to stop ‘alt-right’ rallies.” CNN. May 30, 2017. https://www.cnn.com/2017/05/29/us/portland-scheduled-demonstrations/index.html.

[27] Sylvester, Terray. “Trump supporters confront counter-protests in Portland, Oregon.” Reuters, June 4, 2017. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oregon-protests/trump-supporters-confront-counter-protests-in-portland-oregon-idUSKBN18V0J0

[28] Neiwart, David. “Evergreen State Protest By 'Patriot' Group Dwarfed By Angry Response.” Southern Poverty Law Center, June 16, 2017. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/06/16/evergreen-state-protest-patriot-group-dwarfed-angry-response; Jaschik, Scott. “Evergreen Calls Off ‘Day of Absence.’” Inside Higher Ed, February 28, 2018. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2018/02/22/evergreen-state-cancels-day-absence-set-series-protests-and-controversies

[29] Neiwart, David. “Evergreen State Protest By 'Patriot' Group Dwarfed By Angry Response.” Southern Poverty Law Center, June 16, 2017. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/06/16/evergreen-state-protest-patriot-group-dwarfed-angry-response

[30] Shepard, Katie. “As Portland Police Stand By, Alt-Right and Antifa Protesters Beat Each Other Bloody.” Willamette Week, August 6, 2017. https://www.wweek.com/news/city/2017/08/06/as-portland-police-stand-by-…

[31] “Patriot Prayer and Proud Boys roll into Portland ready for a fight.” Southern Povery Law Center, June 6, 2018. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2018/06/06/patriot-prayer-and-proud-boys-roll-portland-ready-fight

[32] Shepard, Katie. “Portland Police Declare a Riot After Right-Wing Marchers Begin Beating Antifascists with Flag Poles.” Willamette Week, June 30, 2018. https://www.wweek.com/news/2018/06/30/portland-police-declare-a-riot-af… ; Shepard, Katie. “MAGA Mayhem Fractures a Man’s Skull, as Right-Wing Marchers Test the Limits of Free Speech in Portland.” Willamette Week, July 4, 2018. https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2018/07/04/maga-mayhem-fractures-a-mans-skull-as-right-wing-marchers-test-the-limits-of-free-speech-in-portland/ ; Politi, Daniel. “Arrests Made as Right-Wing Protesters, Anti-Fascists Fight in Portland Streets.” Slate, July 1, 2018. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/patriot-prayer-rally-arrest…

[33] “Documents detail Joey Gibson’s felony riot charge.” KOIN, September 5, 2019. https://www.koin.com/news/crime/documents-detail-joey-gibsons-felony-riot-charge/; Palmer, Ewan. “Far-Right Groups and Antifa Clash Again in Portland After Police Praise Peaceful May Day Protests.” Newsweek, May 2, 2019, https://www.newsweek.com/portland-proud-boys-patriot-prayer-antifa-may-….

[34] Bernstein, Maxine. “Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson sues Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt in federal court.” The Oregonian. September 11, 2020. https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2020/09/patriot-prayer-leader-sues-multnomah-county-da-mike-schmidt-in-federal-court.html.

[35] “Documents detail Joey Gibson’s felony riot charge.” KOIN, September 5, 2019. https://www.koin.com/news/crime/documents-detail-joey-gibsons-felony-riot-charge/

[36] Flaccus, Gillian. “Patriot Prayer no stranger to protests in Northwest.” Associated Press. August 30, 2020. https://apnews.com/article/senate-elections-race-and-ethnicity-ap-top-news-id-state-wire-or-state-wire-e101a0c72bb779b706f9d1d97a7c71ed.; “Proud Boys.” Southern Poverty Law Center. N.d. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys.

[37] Shepherd, Katie. “Texts Between Portland Police and Patriot Prayer Ringleader Joey Gibson Show Warm Exchange.” Willamette Week. February 14, 2019. https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2019/02/14/texts-between-portland-police-and-patriot-prayer-ringleader-joey-gibson-show-warm-exchange/.

[38] Stenvick, Blair. “Police Officer Who Sent Protective Texts to Joey Gibson Cleared of Wrongdoing in City Review.” Portland Mercury. September 12, 2019. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2019/09/12/27136199/police-officer-who-sent-protective-texts-to-joey-gibson-cleared-of-wrongdoing-in-city-review.

[39] Stenvick, Blair. “Police Officer Who Sent Protective Texts to Joey Gibson Cleared of Wrongdoing in City Review.” Portland Mercury. September 12, 2019. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2019/09/12/27136199/police-officer-who-sent-protective-texts-to-joey-gibson-cleared-of-wrongdoing-in-city-review.

[40] Ortiz, Erik. “'Disturbing' texts between Oregon police and far-right group prompt investigation.” NBC News. February 15, 2019. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/disturbing-texts-between-oregon-police-far-right-group-prompts-investigation-n972161.

[41] “Wheeler To Order Independent Investigation Into Portland Police Texts.” Oregon Public Broadcasting. February 15, 2019. https://www.opb.org/news/article/portland-police-text-messages-joey-gibson-investigation/.

[42] Bernstein, Maxine. “Cop cleared in controversy over his friendly texts with Patriot Prayer’s Joey Gibson before, during protests.” The Oregonian. September 12, 2019. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2019/09/cop-cleared-in-controversy-over-his-friendly-texts-with-patriot-prayers-joey-gibson-before-during-protests.html.; Stenvick, Blair. “Police Officer Who Sent Protective Texts to Joey Gibson Cleared of Wrongdoing in City Review.” Portland Mercury. September 12, 2019. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2019/09/12/27136199/police-officer-who-sent-protective-texts-to-joey-gibson-cleared-of-wrongdoing-in-city-review.

[43] Olmos, Sergio et al. “Person shot and killed during pro-Trump car caravan through downtown Portland.” Oregon Public Broadcasting. August 29, 2020. https://www.opb.org/article/2020/08/30/portland-trump-cruise-rally-protest-rogue-river-pendleton/.

[44] Mesh, Aaron. “One Person Shot to Death Amid Trump Caravan in Downtown Portland.” Willamette Week. August 29, 2020. https://www.wweek.com/news/2020/08/29/one-person-shot-to-death-amid-trump-caravan-in-downtown-portland/.; Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.

[45] Peters, Cameron. “What we know about a deadly shooting in Portland, Oregon.” Vox. August 31, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/8/30/21407398/portland-oregon-shooting.

[46] “Man Linked to Killing at a Portland Protest Says He Acted in Self-Defense.” Vice News. September 3, 2020. https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7g8vb/man-linked-to-killing-at-a-portland-protest-says-he-acted-in-self-defense.

[47] Wilson, Conrad. “Investigators complete review of federal police shooting that killed wanted Portland activist.” Oregon Public Broadcasting. March 31, 2021. https://www.opb.org/article/2021/03/31/investigation-federal-police-shooting-wanted-portland-activist/.; Golden, Hallie, Mike Baker, and Adam Goldman. “Suspect in Fatal Portland Shooting Is Killed by Officers During Arrest.” The New York Times. September 3, 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/us/michael-reinoehl-arrest-portland-shooting.html.

[48] “Man accused of attacking reporters at Oregon Capitol protest turns himself in.” KGW. December 21, 2020. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/protesters-gather-at-oregon-capitol-special-session/283-69f03372-80d5-48f3-8396-8847024119fb.

[49] Gruver, Tim. “Protests rock Oregon Capitol as lawmakers convene hectic special session.” The Center Square, December 21, 2020. https://www.thecentersquare.com/oregon/protests-rock-oregon-capitol-as-lawmakers-convene-hectic-special-session/article_a4ff9e5a-43be-11eb-874a-1f5d293ba11a.html; Dake, Lauren, and Dirk VanderHart. “Far-right protesters disrupt Oregon Legislature special session.” Oregon Public Broadcasting, December 21, 2020. https://www.opb.org/article/2020/12/21/oregon-legislature-special-session-protests/; “Man accused of attacking reporters at Oregon Capitol protest turns himself in.” KGW. December 21, 2020. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/protesters-gather-at-oregon-capitol-special-session/283-69f03372-80d5-48f3-8396-8847024119fb.

[50] Owen, Tess. “Armed Anti-Lockdown Protesters Just Tried to Storm Oregon's State Capitol.” Vice, December 21, 2020. https://www.vice.com/en/article/5dp5kd/armed-anti-lockdown-protesters-just-tried-to-storm-oregons-state-capitol

[51] Gruver, Tim. “Protests rock Oregon Capitol as lawmakers convene hectic special session.” The Center Square, December 21, 2020. https://www.thecentersquare.com/oregon/protests-rock-oregon-capitol-as-lawmakers-convene-hectic-special-session/article_a4ff9e5a-43be-11eb-874a-1f5d293ba11a.html; Dake, Lauren, and Dirk VanderHart. “Far-right protesters disrupt Oregon Legislature special session.” Oregon Public Broadcasting, December 21, 2020. https://www.opb.org/article/2020/12/21/oregon-legislature-special-session-protests/; “Man accused of attacking reporters at Oregon Capitol protest turns himself in.” KGW. December 21, 2020. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/protesters-gather-at-oregon-capitol-special-session/283-69f03372-80d5-48f3-8396-8847024119fb.

[52] “Patriot Prayer member arrested after Salem protest.” KOIN, January 5, 20201. https://www.koin.com/news/man-associated-with-patriot-prayer-proud-boys-arrested-following-salem-protest/; Haroun, Azmi. “Anti-lockdown protesters storm Oregon Capitol building, clashing with police officers.” Insider, December 21, 2020. https://www.businessinsider.com/far-right-protestors-storm-oregon-state-capitol-building-2020-12

[53] “Man accused of attacking reporters at Oregon Capitol protest turns himself in.” KGW. December 21, 2020. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/protesters-gather-at-oregon-capitol-special-session/283-69f03372-80d5-48f3-8396-8847024119fb.; Withycombe, Claire and Virginia Barreda. “4 arrests made after protesters attempt to enter Oregon State Capitol during session.” Salem Statesman Journal. December 21, 2020. https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/21/protesters-gather-oregon-legislature-starts-special-session/3993102001/.

[54] Politi, Daniel. “What Is Patriot Prayer?” Slate. August 30, 2020. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/08/what-is-patriot-prayer-far-right-group-confrontations-portland.html.; Stewart, Emily. “Anti-maskers explain themselves.” Vox. August 7, 2020. https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/8/7/21357400/anti-mask-protest-rallies-donald-trump-covid-19.; Moreno, Amy. “Freedom rally drums up support for businesses in small Lewis County town.” King 5 News, December 12, 2020. https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/lewis-county-mossyrock-freedom-rally-support-small-businesses-washington/281-e58cb244-b5c3-44d4-a20a-0fae9c3b5133; Fitzsimons, Tim. “Washington town hosts large anti-mask rally.” NBC News, December 15, 2020.

[55] Craig, Tim and Souad Mekhennet. “Portland killing renews focus on tactics of far-right group Patriot Prayer.” The Washington Post. September 1, 2020. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2020/09/01/2b7baf62-ec9b-11ea-b4bc-3a2098fc73d4_story.html.

[56] Craig, Tim and Souad Mekhennet. “Portland killing renews focus on tactics of far-right group Patriot Prayer.” The Washington Post. September 1, 2020. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2020/09/01/2b7baf62-ec9b-11ea-b4bc-3a2098fc73d4_story.html.

Organizational StructureLeadership, Name Changes, Size Estimates, Resources, Geographic Locations

Leadership

The group is loosely organized and lacks formal structure. The only Patriot Prayer member that appears to hold any permanent position within the organization is the group’s founder and leader, Joey Gibson, who has organized all the group’s rallies.

Joey Gibson (2016 – present): Joey Gibson founded Patriot Prayer in 2016 in order to confront left-wing activists, including members of antifa, in liberal cities along the West Coast.[1] Before creating the group, Gibson worked as a local football coach and real estate agent.[2] Gibson developed into a conservative political activist during Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016.[3] Gibson attended the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, and he organized and spoke at several pro-Trump rallies in Washington state.[4] He posted videos on Facebook and YouTube to attract a following for his rallies, generating an online following which laid the basis for Patriot Prayer.[5] In 2017, Gibson was forced to step down from his real estate job after his employment information was posted online by antifa activists.[6]

Gibson’s ideology is heavily influenced by Christianity. According to Patriot Prayer’s website, “Joey Gibson is an advocate for freedom and believes it is imperative for followers of Christ to take the church into the streets, city councils, Capitol buildings, courthouses or anywhere we see injustices running unopposed, including Hong Kong, China. Gibson believes that remaining silent is consent, and lives by the motto ‘Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God.’”[7] Gibson has been described by the media as a white supremacist, a label which he has strongly rejected. Gibson, who is of Japanese descent, has pushed back against the white supremacist characterization on several occasions. For example, he argued in a 2017 interview before a planned rally: “I'm Japanese. We have three black speakers, a couple Hispanic, an atheist, a transsexual. We're extremely diverse. It's really irresponsible for the leaders to call me a white supremacist. It's completely unfounded.”[8]

In 2018, Gibson ran as a libertarian-leaning Republican in a U.S. Senate election in Washington state, aiming to unseat the incumbent Democrat, Maria Cantwell. He lost in the primary on August 7, 2018, receiving only 2.3% of the votes cast.[9] One year later, on August 15, 2019, the Multnomah County District Attorney indicted Gibson on a felony riot charge in connection with a brawl that took place between Patriot Prayer and antifa outside a Portland bar on May Day.[10] Gibson pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In September 2019, Gibson and Patriot Prayer supporter Russell Schultz, who was also charged in the brawl, filed a lawsuit against the Multnomah County District Attorney (DA), alleging that the DA’s prosecution of the pair was “bad faith, selective, and retaliatory.”[11] A federal judge threw out this his lawsuit in February 2021, and an investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice concluded in July 2021 that Gibson and Schultz’s complaint of bias was “unfounded.”[12] As of March 2022, the charges against Gibson and the remaining two individuals connected to Patriot Prayer had not been resolved in court. Also unresolved is the $1 million lawsuit filed by the owner of the bar, Abram Goldman-Armstrong, against Gibson and several other men for allegedly instigating the brawl. Gibson unsuccessfully tried to have the lawsuit dismissed.[13]

Prominent supporters of Patriot Prayer: While it is difficult to identify individual members within the group due to its informal and decentralized structure, several members have attracted national attention for their participation in violent protests.

Tusitala "Tiny" Toese (2017 - unknown): Toese is a member of the Proud Boys and has often attended Patriot Prayer rallies in Portland. Toese is known to be an organizer of Proud Boys events in Portland.[14] He was formerly a close confidant of Joey Gibson and has frequently appearing alongside him at public events.[15] Toese’s first public involvement with Patriot Prayer was observed in April 2017, when he attended the group’s “March for Free Speech” in Portland.[16] Gibson described his relationship with Toese, referencing the group’s violent rallies: “when you bleed together over and over again, you build that camaraderie, like the way I did with Tiny.”[17] Some sources have described Toese as Gibson’s “top lieutenant” and “sidekick.”[18] One report suggests that Toese quit Patriot Prayer in 2018 after prosecutors filed charges against him for a June 2018 assault (detailed below). Another report alleges that Toese had a “falling out” with Gibson.[19]

On June 8, 2018, Toese punched an antifascist protester named Timothy Ledwith in the face on a Portland sidewalk. More than a year later, on October 4, 2019, Toese was arrested at the Portland International Airport on an outstanding warrant from the June 2018 assault.[20] Toese pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor assault charge in January 2020. He was sentenced to two years of probation and 80 hours of community service. Toese also had to pay restitution to his victim.[21] In the wake of his sentencing, Toese supposedly pledged to end his involvement in protests and brawls.[22] However, on October 20, 2020, Toese was sentenced to 6 months in jail for violating his probation agreement by leaving his home state of Washington Washington to attend a protest in Portland.[23] He was released in December 2020.[24] On January 5, 2022, Toese was arrested and jailed in Washington state on numerous felony warrants from both Washington and Oregon.[25]

Chandler Pappas: Pappas has ties to Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys and is allegedly a “longtime friend and lieutenant of Joey Gibson.”[26]He has regularly attended rallies organized by these groups since at least 2020. [27] He was arrested on January 4, 2021, in connection with his participation in the far-right protest against COVID-19 restrictions at the Oregon State Capitol that drew approximately 300 people. Some of these people attempted to enter the building. Pappas was indicted by a grand jury for eight felonies connected to his conduct at the State Capitol.[28] Pappas allegedly used pepper spray against police officers and wielded an “AR-style rifle” while attempting to break into the State Capitol building.[29]

Russell Schultz: Schultz is a former Proud Boy who has been a frequent attendee at Patriot Prayer rallies.[30] In August 2019, he was arrested for his participation in a fight that took place between supporters of Patriot Prayer and counter-protesters outside Cider Riot Bar in Portland several months earlier.[31] Schultz was subsequently indicted on a single count of riot.[32] In September 2020, Schultz filed a joint lawsuit with Joey Gibson, who also faced a riot charge, against Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt and Deputy District Attorney Brad Kalbaugh, alleging “vindictive and selective prosecution.”[33] In February 2021, a federal judge threw out their lawsuit.[34]

[1] Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.; Craig, Tim and Souad Mekhennet. “Portland killing renews focus on tactics of far-right group Patriot Prayer.” The Washington Post. September 1, 2020. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2020/09/01/2b7baf62-ec9b-11ea-b4bc-3a2098fc73d4_story.html.

[2] Wilson, Matarrese, Andy and Lauren Dake. “Joey Gibson aims to ‘liberate conservatives’ via his Patriot Prayer group.” The Columbian. July 2, 2017. https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jul/02/joey-gibson-aims-to-liberate-conservatives-via-his-patriot-prayer-group/. Also available at: https://www.proquest.com/docview/1915075522

[3] Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.

[4] Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland; Fowler, Lilly. “Patriot Prayer leader dislikes racists, but they seem to hear a whistle.” Crosscut, August 24, 2017. https://crosscut.com/2017/08/patriot-prayer-joey-gibson-white-supremacists-rally

[6] Wilson, Jason. “Portland Republicans to use militia for security as far-right rallies continue.” The Guardian, July 1, 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/01/portland-far-right-rally-republicans-militia-security

[7] Fordham, Evie. “What is Patriot Prayer, the pro-Trump group whose member was killed in Portland?” Fox News. August 31, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/patriot-prayer-joey-bishop-portland-killed.

[8] “Patriot Prayer rally organizer says he’s not religious or white supremacist: ‘I’m Japanese.’” KTVU Fox 2. August 23, 2017. https://www.ktvu.com/news/patriot-prayer-rally-organizer-says-hes-not-religious-or-white-supremacist-im-japanese.

[9] Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.; Wilson, Jason. “How a gun-carrying, far-right activist plots a run at the US Senate.” The Guardian. June 3, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/03/us-senate-hopeful-washington-joey-gibson.; Kavanaugh, Shane. “Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson plans U.S. Senate run in Washington.” The Oregonian. February 25, 2018. https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2018/02/patriot_prayer_leader_joey_gib.html.; “Joey Gibson.” Ballotpedia. N.d. https://ballotpedia.org/Joey_Gibson.; Matarrese, Andy and Lauren Dake. “Joey Gibson aims to ‘liberate conservatives’ via his Patriot Prayer group.” The Columbian. July 2, 2017. https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jul/02/joey-gibson-aims-to-liberate-conservatives-via-his-patriot-prayer-group/.

[10] “Joey Gibson, five others indicted for felony riot in connection with May Day brawl.” KGW. August 22, 2019. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/joey-gibson-five-others-indicted-for-felony-riot-in-connection-with-may-day-brawl/283-aadd5354-a213-4288-b681-9741f5a1e138.; Kavanaugh, Shane. “Patriot Prayer-antifa clash lands Cider Riot in state regulator’s crosshairs.” The Oregonian. September 20, 2019. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2019/09/patriot-prayer-antifa-clash-lands-cider-riot-in-state-regulators-crosshairs.html.

[11] Bernstein, Maxine. “Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson sues Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt in federal court.” The Oregonian. September 11, 2020. https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2020/09/patriot-prayer-leader-sues-multnomah-county-da-mike-schmidt-in-federal-court.html.

[12] Powell, Meerah. “Federal judge throws out Joey Gibson’s lawsuit against Multnomah County DA.” Oregon Public Broadcasting. February 27, 2021. https://www.opb.org/article/2021/02/27/federal-judge-patriot-prayer-founder-joey-gibson-lawsuit/; Zielinski, Alex. “State Finds DA Schmidt Didn't Discriminate Against Patriot Prayer's Joey Gibson.” Portland Mercury, August 6, 2021. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2021/08/06/35744161/state-finds-da-schmidt-didnt-discriminate-against-patriot-prayers-joey-gibson

[13] Green, Aimee. “Joey Gibson asks judge to throw out $1 million Cider Riot lawsuit against him.” The Oregonian. October 25, 2019. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2019/10/joey-gibson-asks-judge-to-throw-out-1-million-cider-riot-lawsuit-against-him.html

[14] Kavanaugh, Shane Dixon. “Proud Boy Tusitala ‘Tiny’ Toese faces felony charges in clash near abandoned Portland Kmart.” The Oregonian, January 18, 2022. https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2022/01/proud-boy-tusitala-tiny-toese-faces-felony-charges-in-clash-near-abandoned-portland-kmart.html

[15] Sunshine, Spencer. “Joey Gibson and Patriot Prayer.” Political Research Associates. September 6, 2017. https://www.politicalresearch.org/2017/09/06/joey-gibson-and-patriot-prayer-the-westboro-baptist-church-of-the-alt-right.; Kavanaugh, Shane. “Proud Boy, Patriot Prayer brawler Tusitala ‘Tiny’ Toese sentenced to 6 months in Portland jail.” The Oregonian. October 20, 2020. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/10/proud-boy-patriot-prayer-brawler-tusitala-tiny-toese-sentenced-to-6-months-in-portland-jail.html.

[16] Campuzano, Eder. “Proud Boy, former Patriot Prayer brawler Tusitala ‘Tiny’ Toese arrested in Washington.” Oregon Live, August 29, 2020. https://www.oregonlive.com/clark-county/2020/08/proud-boy-former-patriot-prayer-brawler-tusitala-tiny-toese-arrested-in-washington.html

[17] Olmos, Sergio. “Band of Others: Joey Gibson and Patriot Prayer.” Underscore, September 20, 2019. https://www.underscore.news/reporting/band-of-others-part-i

[18] Sparling, Zain. “Portland Proud Boy ‘Tiny’ Toese shot at Washington protest.” KOIN, September 4, 2020. https://www.koin.com/news/protests/portland-proud-boy-tiny-toese-shot-at-washington-protest/; Bernstein, Maxine. “Lieutenant removed from Rapid Response Team as Portland police investigate his texts with Patriot Prayer’s Joey Gibson.” The Oregonian, February 15, 2019. https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2019/02/portland-police-lieutenant-removed-from-rapid-response-team-as-bureau-investigates-his-texts-with-patriot-prayers-joey-gibson.html

[19] Kavanaugh, Shane. “Proud Boy, Patriot Prayer brawler Tusitala ‘Tiny’ Toese barred from Portland protests for 2 years, judge rules.” The Oregonian, January 14, 2020. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/01/proud-boy-patriot-prayer-brawler-tusitala-tiny-toese-barred-from-portland-protests-for-2-years-judge-rules.html

[20] Mesh, Aaron. “Right-Wing Fighter Tusitala “Tiny” Toese Arrested at Portland Airport for 2018 Sidewalk Assault.” Willamette Week. October 5, 2019. https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2019/10/05/right-wing-fighter-tusitala-tiny-toese-arrested-at-airport-for-2018-sidewalk-assault/.

[21] Wilson, Conrad. “Patriot Prayer’s Tusitala ‘Tiny’ Toese Pleads Guilty To Assault Charge.” Oregon Public Broadcasting. January 14, 2020. https://www.opb.org/news/article/vancouver-patriot-prayer-tusitala-tiny-toese-plead-guilty-assault-charges/.

[22] Kavanaugh, Shane. “Proud Boy, Patriot Prayer brawler Tusitala ‘Tiny’ Toese sentenced to 6 months in Portland jail.” The Oregonian. October 20, 2020. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/10/proud-boy-patriot-prayer-brawler-tusitala-tiny-toese-sentenced-to-6-months-in-portland-jail.html.

[23] Riski, Tess. “Proud Boy Tusitala “Tiny” Toese Will Be Released Early From Jail Next Week.” Willamette Week. December 16, 2020. https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2020/12/16/tusitala-tiny-toese-will-be-released-early-from-jail-next-week-after-violating-probation-for-assault-charges/.

[24] Riski, Tess. “Proud Boy Tusitala “Tiny” Toese Will Be Released Early From Jail Next Week.” Willamette Week. December 16, 2020. https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2020/12/16/tusitala-tiny-toese-will-be-released-early-from-jail-next-week-after-violating-probation-for-assault-charges/.

[25] Kavanaugh, Shane Dixon and Zane Sparling. “Proud Boy Tusitala ‘Tiny’ Toese faces felony charges in clash near abandoned Portland Kmart.” The Oregonian. January 20, 2022. https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2022/01/proud-boy-tusitala-tiny-toese-faces-felony-charges-in-clash-near-abandoned-portland-kmart.html.; Dickinson, Tim. “Proud Boy Brawler ‘Tiny’ Toese Jailed on Felony Charges in Washington State.” Rolling Stone. January 21, 2022. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/proud-boy-brawler-jailed-washington-antifa-1286664/.

[26]“Patriot Prayer member arrested after Salem protest.” KOIN, January 5, 20201. https://www.koin.com/news/man-associated-with-patriot-prayer-proud-boys-arrested-following-salem-protest/.; Kim, Eddie. “Like Father, Like Son: When Fascism Becomes Family.” MEL Magazine. 2021. https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/family-fascism-alt-right-extremism.

[27] Olmos, Sergio. “Patriot Prayer member accused of attacking Oregon police allowed to move out of state.” Oregon Public Broadcasting. February 18, 2021. https://www.opb.org/article/2021/02/19/oregon-capitol-chandler-pappas-moving/

[28] Olmos, Sergio. “Patriot Prayer member accused of attacking Oregon police allowed to move out of state.” Oregon Public Broadcasting. February 18, 2021. https://www.opb.org/article/2021/02/19/oregon-capitol-chandler-pappas-moving/.; Gruver, Tim. “Oregon Capitol invader okayed by judge for relocation to Arizona ahead of trial.” The Center Square. February 19, 2021. https://www.thecentersquare.com/oregon/oregon-capitol-invader-okayed-by-judge-for-relocation-to-arizona-ahead-of-trial/article_a94de372-726c-11eb-b3ff-ebc57137237d.html.

[29] “Patriot Prayer member arrested after Salem protest.” KOIN 6 News. January 5, 2021. https://www.koin.com/news/man-associated-with-patriot-prayer-proud-boys-arrested-following-salem-protest/.; “Portland man accused of assaulting 6 police officers at Salem anti-mask rally.” The Oregonian. January 5, 2021. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2021/01/portland-man-accused-of-assaulting-6-police-officers-at-salem-anti-mask-rally.html.

[30] Reeve, Elle. “He’s an ex-Proud Boy. Here’s what he says happens within the group’s ranks.” CNN. November 25, 2020. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/25/us/ex-proud-boys-member/index.html.; Wilson, Jason. “Portland man says he was attacked by man linked to far-right Senate candidate.” The Guardian. June 16, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/16/portland-proud-boys-alleged-attack-man-patriot-prayer-joey-gibson.

[31] “Two more arrests made in relation to May Day fight outside Cider Riot Bar.” KGW 8. August 15, 2019. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/two-more-arrests-made-in-relation-to-may-day-fight-outside-cider-riot-bar/283-2225cbaa-f208-49e3-9949-5c8bbfc639f0.

[32] Ramakrishnan, Jayati. “6 indicted on charges related to May Day brawl at Portland bar.” The Oregonian. August 22, 2019. https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2019/08/6-indicted-on-charges-related-to-may-day-brawl-at-portland-bar.html.

[33] Brynelson, Troy. “Patriot Prayer’s Joey Gibson sues Multnomah County DA over felony riot charge.” Oregon Public Broadcasting. September 12, 2020. https://www.opb.org/article/2020/09/12/joey-gibson-lawsuit-mike-schmidt/.; Bernstein, Maxine. “Federal judge refuses to intervene in riot case against Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson, supporter.” The Oregonian. February 26, 2021. https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2021/02/federal-judge-refuses-to-intervene-in-riot-case-against-patriot-prayer-leader-joey-gibson-supporter.html.

[34] Powell, Meerah. “Federal judge throws out Joey Gibson’s lawsuit against Multnomah County DA.” Oregon Public Broadcasting. February 27, 2021. https://www.opb.org/article/2021/02/27/federal-judge-patriot-prayer-founder-joey-gibson-lawsuit/.

Name Changes

There are no recorded name changes for this group.

Size Estimates

As with other right-wing groups, it is difficult to gauge the size of Patriot Prayer because much of its membership is limited to online participation or attendance at rallies. Moreover, there are no formal requirements for membership, and anyone can self-identify as a member of Patriot Prayer. According to reports from an individual who infiltrated Patriot Prayer, the group only had around fifteen core members in 2019. The same individual suggested it is the group’s partnerships with other far-right organizations that allow it to attract substantial turnout at its events.[1]

[1] Zielinski, Alex. “Undercover in Patriot Prayer: Insights From a Vancouver Democrat Who’s Been Working Against the Far-Right Group from the Inside.” Portland Mercury. August 26, 2019. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2019/08/26/27039560/undercover-in-patriot-prayer-insights-from-a-vancouver-democrat-whos-been-working-against-the-far-right-group-from-the-inside.

Resources

Patriot Prayer initially received donations through crowdfunding and payment processing sites, including PayPal, GoFundMe, Go Get Funding, and GivingFuel. [1] In November 2018, Patriot Prayer’s fundraising page on GivingFuel was deleted. According to CAIR Oregon, which advocates for Muslim civil rights, GivingFuel banned the group for “advocating and celebrating violence.”[2] The group’s page on Go Get Funding had raised more than $5,000 in the few months that it had been active before it was taken down. By October 2019, accounts linked to Gibson and Patriot Prayer were also deleted from PayPal, GoFundMe, and Go Get Funding.[3]

Gibson subsequently encouraged followers to send their donations to the “Church for Faith and Freedom,” which he alleged was willing to accept money on the behalf of Patriot Prayer. Donations could be made through the church’s website. Gibson reportedly planned to use the funds to pay for his legal defense in the Cider Riot case. [4] He and other Patriot Prayer members were indicted for felony riot and sued for $1 million for their involvement in a 2019 brawl at a bar in Portland.[5] In his appeal for donations, Gibson claimed that his political opponents have “done everything they can to shut down ways for Christians to fund raise, accept donations, or make any money at all.” He further explained that the church was “helping us Christians by accepting donations on our behalf in order to legally fight back against this discrimination.” According to The Oregonian, officials found no record of the Church for Faith and Freedom in California, Oregon, or Washington, the states where it claimed to be active. Additionally, the church’s website did not list a building address, contact information, or staff members. When pressed for comment, Gibson declined to respond.[6] As of August 2020, Gibson requested that donations to be sent to him personally.[7]

Patriot Prayer also raised money by selling merchandise, including t-shirts and sweatshirts. In November 2018, however, shortly after Patriot Prayer was removed from GivingFuel, its retailer, Teespring, deleted the group’s merchandise from its website.[8]

[1] Kavanaugh, Shane. “Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson uses untraceable church to drum up legal defense funds.” The Oregonian. October 9, 2019. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2019/10/patriot-prayer-leader-joey-gibson-uses-untraceable-church-to-drum-up-legal-defense-funds.html.; Slisco, Aila. “Far-Right Leader Apparently Accepting Donations From Unofficial 'Church'.” Newsweek. October 10, 2019. https://www.newsweek.com/far-right-leader-apparently-accepting-donations-unofficial-church-1464521?utm_campaign=NewsweekFacebookSF&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR0Z5BNKGLhC2pmcxJRkRyzKbS97Yb-z9ob7SVZ69JGEmo6SxhC7P8J7YZo.

[2] Shepherd, Katie. “Patriot Prayer Fundraising Page Disappears After Campaign To Shut It Down.” Willamette Week. November 2, 2018. https://www.wweek.com/news/city/2018/11/02/patriot-prayer-fundraising-page-disappears-after-campaign-to-shut-it-down/.

[3] Kavanaugh, Shane. “Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson uses untraceable church to drum up legal defense funds.” The Oregonian. October 9, 2019. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2019/10/patriot-prayer-leader-joey-gibson-uses-untraceable-church-to-drum-up-legal-defense-funds.html.; Slisco, Aila. “Far-Right Leader Apparently Accepting Donations From Unofficial 'Church'.” Newsweek. October 10, 2019. https://www.newsweek.com/far-right-leader-apparently-accepting-donations-unofficial-church-1464521?utm_campaign=NewsweekFacebookSF&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR0Z5BNKGLhC2pmcxJRkRyzKbS97Yb-z9ob7SVZ69JGEmo6SxhC7P8J7YZo.

[4] Kavanaugh, Shane. “Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson uses untraceable church to drum up legal defense funds.” The Oregonian. October 9, 2019. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2019/10/patriot-prayer-leader-joey-gibson-uses-untraceable-church-to-drum-up-legal-defense-funds.html.; Slisco, Aila. “Far-Right Leader Apparently Accepting Donations From Unofficial 'Church'.” Newsweek. October 10, 2019. https://www.newsweek.com/far-right-leader-apparently-accepting-donations-unofficial-church-1464521.

[5] “Joey Gibson, five others indicted for felony riot in connection with May Day brawl.” KGW. August 22, 2019. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/joey-gibson-five-others-indicted-for-felony-riot-in-connection-with-may-day-brawl/283-aadd5354-a213-4288-b681-9741f5a1e138.; Kavanaugh, Shane. “Judge rejects Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson’s plea to move $1M Cider Riot suit outside Portland.” The Oregonian, September 20, 2019. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2019/09/judge-rejects-patriot-prayer-leader-joey-gibsons-plea-to-move-1m-cider-riot-suit-outside-portland.html

[6] Kavanaugh, Shane. “Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson uses untraceable church to drum up legal defense funds.” The Oregonian. October 9, 2019. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2019/10/patriot-prayer-leader-joey-gibson-uses-untraceable-church-to-drum-up-legal-defense-funds.html.; Slisco, Aila. “Far-Right Leader Apparently Accepting Donations From Unofficial 'Church'.” Newsweek. October 10, 2019. https://www.newsweek.com/far-right-leader-apparently-accepting-donations-unofficial-church-1464521.

[7] Politi, Daniel. “What is Patriot Prayer?” Slate. August 30, 2020. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/08/what-is-patriot-prayer-far-right-group-confrontations-portland.html.

[8] Shepherd, Katie. “Apparel Company Boots Patriot Prayer And Refuses To Continue Selling Their Merchandise.” Willamette Week. November 12, 2018. https://www.wweek.com/news/business/2018/11/12/apparel-company-boots-patriot-prayer-and-refuses-to-continue-selling-their-merchandise/.

Geographic Locations

Disclaimer: This is a partial list of where the militant organization has bases and where it operates. This does not include information on where the group conducts major attacks or has external influences.

Both Patriot Prayer and its founder Joey Gibson are based in Vancouver, Washington, a suburban city in the Portland metropolitan area.[1] The group does not have any chapters operating in other cities or states. Patriot Prayer has held and attended rallies in liberal cities across the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, including Vancouver, WA; Seattle, WA; Olympia, WA; Berkeley, CA; and Portland, OR. (See the Major Attacks section of this profile for more details about these events.) Many of Patriot Prayer’s events have taken place in or near the city of Portland, Oregon. In a 2018 interview, Gibson explained the reason behind this focus, stating: “Portland is one of the worst cities in this country. It’s full of so much darkness. That’s why I’m so motivated to go there. If we don’t bring all of this hate onto the streets from antifa and communists, well, people won’t see it. I’m happy to go down there and stand up for freedom and stand up for God.”[2]

[1] “What We Know About Patriot Prayer.” Southern Poverty Law Center, August 31, 2020. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2020/08/31/what-we-know-about-patriot-prayer

[2] Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.

StrategyIdeology, Aims, Political Activities, Targets and Tactics

Ideology and Goals

Patriot Prayer’s ideology and goals are vague. The group has held rallies in support of gun rights, free speech, and former President Trump.[1] According to the group’s Facebook page, Patriot Prayer aims to fight “corruption, big government, and tyranny using God for strength and the power of love.” [2] Another of the group’s objectives includes “liberat[ing] the conservatives on the West Coast.”[3]

Gibson has denied that the group supports any neo-Nazi or white supremacist principles, even though its rallies often attracted white nationalist and extremist groups. Because Patriot Prayer does not openly espouse racist views, some have referred to it as an “alt lite group,” a term used to describe right-wing activists who “reject the overtly white supremacist ideology of the alt right” but who embrace misogyny, racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim bigotry.[4]

While the group’s ideology and goals may be ambiguous, its enemy is not: left-wing activists, namely antifa. According to Vegas Tenold, investigative researcher at the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism, “In large part they [Patriot Prayer] define themselves not by who they are or what they believe but by who they are against, which is anti-fascist activists on the left in general. This ensures a big tent that street brawlers of all kinds can find a home in.”[5] The group’s anti-left fanaticism explains why it targeted left-leaning cities in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California and is reflected in some of its members, such as Tusitala “Tiny” Toese, who have attended rallies wearing t-shirts declaring that “Pinochet Did Nothing Wrong”—a reference to the U.S.-installed Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet whose regime attempted to crush the liberal opposition.[6]

[1] Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.

[2] Bacon, John. “What is the right-wing group Patriot Prayer linked to Portland confrontations and who is Joey Gibson?” USA Today. August 30, 2020. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/08/30/patriot-prayer-joey-gibson-portland-protests/5674611002/.

[3] Matarrese, Andy and Lauren Dake. “Joey Gibson aims to ‘liberate conservatives’ via his Patriot Prayer group.” The Columbian. July 2, 2017. https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jul/02/joey-gibson-aims-to-liberate-conservatives-via-his-patriot-prayer-group/.

[4] “From Alt Right to Alt Lite: Naming the Hate.” Anti-Defamation League. N.d. https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/from-alt-right-to-alt-lite-naming-the-hate.; Westervelt, Eric. “Bay Area Braces For Protests: ‘Charlottesville Has Raised The Stakes.’” NPR. August 25, 2017. https://www.npr.org/2017/08/25/546007440/bay-area-braces-for-protests-charlottesville-has-raised-the-stakes.

[5] Craig, Tim and Souad Mekhennet. “Portland killing renews focus on tactics of far-right group Patriot Prayer.” The Washington Post. September 1, 2020. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2020/09/01/2b7baf62-ec9b-11ea-b4bc-3a2098fc73d4_story.html.

[6] “‘Pinochet did no wrong’: Who is Pinochet?” KOIN 6. August 4, 2018. https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/pinochet-did-no-wrong-who-is-pinochet/.

Political Activities

Joey Gibson and supporters of Patriot Prayer have consistently expressed political support for former President Donald Trump. Gibson developed into a conservative political activist during Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016.[1] Gibson attended the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, and he organized and spoke at several pro-Trump rallies in Washington state.[2] After forming Patriot Prayer later that year, Gibson has gone on to organize several pro-Trump rallies in Portland and other left-leaning cities in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California.[3] Elected representatives have also attended and spoken at rallies organized by Gibson and Patriot Prayer, including Republican member of the Washington House of Representatives Elizabeth Pike.[4]

In 2018, Patriot Prayer’s founder, Joey Gibson, ran as a Republican in the 2018 U.S. Senate election in Washington state. In his candidate profile for the Washington Secretary of State’s Voter Guide, Gibson described his two years of leading Patriot Prayer as “community service.”[5] During his campaign, Gibson inveighed against a “rigged and broken” political system and promised to bring about a conservative revolution in the Pacific Northwest. He also expressed support for a pathway to citizenship for non-criminal illegal immigrants, the decriminalization of marijuana, same-sex marriage, term limits for elected officials, and eliminating tax loopholes for corporations. He lost in the primary on August 7, 2018, receiving only 2.3% of the votes cast.[6]

On November 7, 2020, Joey Gibson organized a “Stop the Steal” rally in support of claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election. The rally took place in a park in Vancouver, Washington. Approximately 200 people showed up, some of whom were armed with handguns and rifles.[7] It is unclear if the group held any additional “Stop the Steal” events.

[1] Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.

[2] Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland; Fowler, Lilly. “Patriot Prayer leader dislikes racists, but they seem to hear a whistle.” Crosscut, August 24, 2017. https://crosscut.com/2017/08/patriot-prayer-joey-gibson-white-supremacists-rally

[3] Borter, Gabriella and Andrew Hay. “What to know about Patriot Prayer as Trump supporters take stand in Portland.” Reuters. September 1, 2020. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-global-race-protests-patriot-prayer-idUKKBN25S5Z5.

[4] Haukaas, Jonathan. “Clark County Trump rally disrupted by anarchists.” The Reflector, April 4, 2017. https://www.thereflector.com/stories/clark-county-trump-rally-disrupted-by-anarchists,43111

[5] “Joey Gibson.” 2018 Primary Voters' Guide, U.S. Senator Federal, Washington Secretary of State. https://eledataweb.votewa.gov/OVG/OnlineVotersGuide/GetCandidateStatement?electionId=70&candidateId=52515&raceJurisdictionName=Federal&Display=Statewide&partyName=(Prefers%20Republican%20Party)&raceName=United%20States%20-%20U.S.%20Senator

[6] Wilson, Jason. “How a gun-carrying, far-right activist plots a run at the US Senate.” The Guardian. June 3, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/03/us-senate-hopeful-washington-joey-gibson.; Kavanaugh, Shane. “Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson plans U.S. Senate run in Washington.” The Oregonian. February 25, 2018. https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2018/02/patriot_prayer_leader_joey_gib.html.; “Joey Gibson.” Ballotpedia. N.d. https://ballotpedia.org/Joey_Gibson.

[7] “Vancouver ‘Stop the Steal’ rally organized by Joey Gibson alleges election stolen from Trump.” The Columbian. November 7, 2020. https://www.columbian.com/news/2020/nov/07/vancouver-stop-the-steal-rally-organized-by-joey-gibson-alleges-election-stolen-from-trump/.

Targets and Tactics

Joey Gibson and his Patriot Prayer supporters have held rallies in liberal cities across the Pacific Northwest and Northern California with the aim of provoking a response from left-wing activists. [1] Although the group does not openly espouse violence, its activities seem largely geared towards generating a violent reaction from left-wing activists and garnering sympathy from right-wing viewers watching the events across the United States. According to a Vice documentary, “Gibson wants to create scenes that make leftists look violent and him look like the victim. He did it at Berkeley in 2017 and again in Portland the following year. He’s got a formula: Walk into counter-protesters, provoke a reaction, then retreat behind the police line.”[2] According to journalist Sergio Olmos, Patriot Prayer events generally unfold in the following manner:

“Gibson announces a rally in a liberal city.
Anti-fascist activists show up.
Gibson wanders into their ranks in the expectation that one of them will attack him.
They do.
He streams video of it online, garnering sympathy and donations from the audience at home.
Repeat.”[3]

Gibson has denied that his goal is to encourage violence from leftists. “To say I wanted them to attack isn’t true,” Gibson stated. “I wanted to give them the opportunity to do what they wanted.”[4] Despite this denial, Gibson has instructed members and supporters to be armed at rallies, saying “Everyone should be carrying around guns at all times, especially people in our situation.”[5]

[1] Orecchio-Egresitz, Haven. “The right-wing group Patriot Prayer, associated with a man killed in the Portland protests, has a history of provoking left-wing groups: 'This was just a matter of time.’” Insider, August 31, 2020. https://www.insider.com/what-is-patriot-prayer-joey-gibson-right-wing-group-2020-8; Shepard, Katie, and Anna Williams. “Joey Gibson’s Strategy Now Is Just Baiting Antifa to Fight With Cops.” Willamette Week, September 15, 2017. https://www.wweek.com/news/2017/09/15/joey-gibsons-strategy-now-is-just-baiting-antifa-to-fight-with-cops/

[2] “Patriot Prayer Is Dragging Antifa Into An Unwinnable PR War (HBO).” VICE News. August 7, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iraAfWBXzk.

[3] Olmos, Sergio. “Patriot Prayer – the new face of ‘nativist bigotry.’” The Columbian. January 30, 2020. https://www.columbian.com/news/2020/jan/30/patriot-prayer-the-new-face-of-nativist-bigotry/.

[4] Politi, Daniel. “What is Patriot Prayer?” Slate. August 30, 2020. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/08/what-is-patriot-prayer-far-right-group-confrontations-portland.html.

[5] “What We Know About Patriot Prayer.” Southern Poverty Law Center. August 31, 2020. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2020/08/31/what-we-know-about-patriot-prayer.

Major Attacks

Disclaimer: This list includes instances in which the militant group engaged in or threatened violence. It is not a comprehensive listing but captures some of the most notable examples of participation in violent events.

Patriot Prayer does not have a history of widespread violence or attacks. Instead, the group’s use of violence is concentrated at rallies or events and targets left-wing activists. Members and followers of Patriot Prayer have engaged in street brawls at protests, resulting in the hospitalization of victims on at least one occasion. Patriot Prayer has also used its presence at protests and rallies to provoke violence from left wing activists and incite violent confrontation. Since it was founded in 2016, Patriot Prayer has organized several events in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. The largest and most publicized of these events are described below.

April 2, 2017: Joey Gibson organized a “Rally for Trump and Freedom” in Vancouver, Washington. The event was attended by approximately 300 people, including counter-protesters, and remained relatively calm. The Three Percenters, a far-right group part of the larger anti-government movement, provided security.[1] Representative Elizabeth Pike, a Republican member of the Washington House of Representatives, spoke at the event. There was at least one minor skirmish at the event, and several people were arrested.[2]

April 29, 2017: Gibson and other local conservatives organized a “March for Free Speech” in Portland, Oregon. An estimated 60 counter-protesters showed up, and police made three arrests.[3] In attendance at the rally was Jeremy Joseph Christian, a white supremacist who subsequently killed two people in Portland in May 2017. [4] At the April 2017 rally, Christian reportedly gave Nazi salutes and yelled racial slurs while carrying a baseball bat.[5] Gibson later denounced Christian, claiming that he had no ties to Patriot Prayer and that he had been ejected from the rally.[6]

May 1, 2017: Patriot Prayer hosted a “Stand Against Communism” rally in downtown Seattle, Washington. Attended by nearly 150 people, the rally was meant to counter left-wing demonstrations also being held in Seattle on that day. According to a statement from Patriot Prayer, the purpose of their rally was to show “support for the Police, Trump, Freedom, and America” on a day (May Day) that has “traditionally [been] a day that Communist and Antifa [Anti-Fascists] run wild through downtown Seattle.” The events were mostly peaceful, although Patriot Prayer members and antifa activists did engage in minor skirmishes. Police arrested several people.[7]

June 4, 2017: Patriot Prayer joined other far-right groups – including American Freedom M/C, the Oath Keepers, and the Three Percenters – at the “Trump Free Speech Rally” in Portland, Oregon. The rally drew hundreds of demonstrators, including left-wing antifa members. Joey Gibson encouraged attendees to remain peaceful, telling a crowd, “I want everybody here…to find it in yourself to make this day positive, with no hate and no violence.” Police arrested 14 people and confiscated weapons such as brass knuckles and knives.[8]

June 15, 2017: Patriot Prayer members held a rally at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, in response to a controversial “Day of Absence” event at Evergreen State that would discourage white people from coming to campus for a day.[9] Roughly one hundred people attended the “Free Speech” rally alongside Patriot Prayer, though they were met by hundreds of counter-protestors. Some members of the two sides aggressively confronted each other, though Gibson himself attempted to non-violently engage antifa counter-protestors in a dialogue.”[10] After Gibson repeatedly attempted to advance into the opposition, he was hit with pepper spray.[11] Gibson complained after the rally: “Not one person shook my hand, not one. I just wanted to have a conversation with them.” At least one person was arrested at the event.[12]

June 30, 2017: Patriot Prayer held a two-hour “Freedom March” at the Portland Waterfront near the annual Blues Festival to “promote freedom and courage.” A Portland-based anti-fascist group, Rose City Antifa, organized a counter-rally called “Enough: Stop Patriot Prayer Now!” In total, about 200 people attended the rallies. While the rally and counter-rally were mostly peaceful, at least three skirmishes broke out between the opposing groups. There were no reports of any arrests.[13]

August 26, 2017: Joey Gibson planned to hold a controversial “Freedom Rally” at Crissy Field in San Francisco, California on August 26, 2017. However, Gibson called the rally off on August 25, citing safety concerns for his followers after several counter-demonstrations were announced. Gibson explained in a Facebook video that, after speaking with the police, he and the organizers of the Freedom Rally canceled the event because it “really seems like a setup.” After cancelling the rally, Gibson held a press conference in Pacifica, California with other members of Patriot Prayer. They were quickly forced to leave however, after hearing that anti-fascist counter-protesters were on their way to the event.[14]

August 27, 2017: The day after Patriot Prayer’s Crissy Field rally was to be held, Gibson showed up to a protest in Berkeley, where more than 4,000 people demonstrated against a planned right-wing rally with an “anti-Marxism” theme. Left-wing activists crowded Gibson, using pepper spray and shouting at him until police arrived to protect him. 13 people were arrested at the rally.[15]

September 10, 2017: Patriot Prayer hosted two separate free speech rallies, including one in Portland’s Waterfront Park and another nearby at Vancouver Landing Amphitheater in Vancouver, Washington. Members of two prominent far-right organizations, including the Three Percenters and the Proud Boys, showed up in support of Patriot Prayer. More than 1,000 counter-protesters were present. Both rallies ended with arrests after clashes between the opposing sides. One man was detained after he drove his pickup truck through a crowd of counter-protesters. He was not arrested and later released after questioning. No injuries were reported.[16]

September 26, 2017: Members of Patriot Prayer gathered at the University of California Berkeley. They were met by protesters, including representatives of the leftist activist group By Any Means Necessary (BAMN), and some skirmishes broke out. At the event, Kyle “Stickman” Chapman –a supporter of Patriot Prayer and founder of the Fraternal Order of Alt-Knights, which served as a “tactical defense arm” for the Proud Boys – gave a speech in which he talked about a “war against whites.” Three people were arrested.[17]

February 10, 2018: Patriot Prayer was invited by the University of Washington College Republicans (UWCR) to speak at their “Freedom Rally” at the University of Washington campus in Seattle, Washington. According to the UWCR’s Facebook page, the purpose of the event was “to encourage conservatives to stand up for freedom in a far-left University.” Several groups organized counter-protests, leading to skirmishes between the two sides. Police made five arrests.[18]

May 1, 2018: Patriot Prayer and Proud Boys members organized an event meant to counter the annual “March for Immigrant and Workers Rights” in downtown Seattle. There were reportedly a few dozen members in attendance.[19] In a speech at the rally, Gibson affirmed his support for the Proud Boys. Gibson was running for the U.S. Senate at the time, and he spoke in response to pressure to renounce the Proud Boys: “I will never turn my back on you [the Proud Boys]. There’s so much pressure on me right now, it’s constant, people all the time. They’re like, ‘Disavow them, disavow them, distance yourself, distance yourself. Here’s the thing, though: We cannot sell each other out! We cannot sell each other out simply because I want to win the campaign!”[20] A heavy police presence kept violence from breaking out between Patriot Prayer and Proud Boys attendees and the antifa activists at the march. One person was arrested.[21]

June 3, 2018: Patriot Prayer showed up in Portland to counter an anti-police brutality rally led by Empower Portland Alliance and Direct Action Alliance. In response, local antifa groups organized another counter-protest, which they labeled “Call to Resist Patriot Prayer Bringing Nazis to Portland.” The two sides threw fireworks, bottles, rocks, and ball bearings at each other. Four people were arrested, and several people received medical attention, though none were taken to the hospital.[22]

June 30, 2018: Patriot Prayer held a “Freedom and Courage” rally in downtown Portland. The event attracted more than 100 Patriot Prayer supporters, including members of the Proud Boys. In response, more than 100 counter-protesters showed up. The rally was declared a riot by the city of Portland after the opposing sides engaged in violent clashes with each other. Police reported observing assaults and criminal behavior during the rally. A viral video showed a Proud Boy member punching an antifa activist, who fell unconscious. Antifa counter-protestors threw objects at right-wing attendees, who then responded by beating antifa counter-protestors with flagpoles and PVC pipes, fracturing the skull of one counter-protestor. Nine people were arrested, and four people, plus a police officer, were taken to the hospital.[23]

August 4, 2018: Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys teamed up to hold a rally, officially titled the “Gibson for Senate Freedom March,” in Portland to support Joey Gibson’s bid to become a senator for the state of Washington. The event attracted more than 400 far-right protesters as well as substantial number of antifa activists and other counter-protesters. A large police presence managed to keep the two groups apart during the rally. At one point, after protesters failed to disperse, police in riot gear rushed toward counter-protesters and fired flash grenades and rounds containing pepper spray. Police arrested four people.[24]

August 18, 2018: Patriot Prayer and the Washington Chapter of the Three Percenters held a joint “Liberty or Death” rally in Seattle to protest against leftwing violence. The rally drew about 150 people, many of whom wore camouflage and body armor and carried handguns or semi-automatic long guns. A counterprotest held by the Organized Workers for Labor Solidarity, Radical Women, and the Freedom Socialist Party drew two to three times as many people. The rally remained largely peaceful, although three people were arrested.[25]

November 17, 2018: Patriot Prayer took part in a “HimToo” rally aimed as a counter to the #MeToo movement against sexual assault. Hosted by Patriot Prayer member Haley Adams, speakers inveighed against the alleged rise in “false rape accusations” and made appeals to men’s rights and conspiracy theories. Attendees later clashed with counter-protesters, who had organized to support victims of sexual assault. An estimated 350 people in total attended the event, and police made 6 arrests.[26]

May 1, 2019: After attending annual May Day demonstrations in Portland, Gibson and members of Patriot Prayer met and violently engaged antifa counter-protestors outside the Cider Riot bar.[27] According to a police officer, Gibson was observed “‘taunting’ and threatening members of antifa and later ‘physically pushing’ a woman before she was hit with a baton and knocked unconscious by someone else.” Gibson and five other Patriot Prayer affiliates were arrested and indicted on felony rioting charges.[28] Two of these individuals pleaded guilty in January 2020, and another person pleaded guilty in May 2021.[29] As of March 2022, the charges against Gibson and the remaining two individuals connected to Patriot Prayer had not been resolved in court.

September 15, 2019: Joey Gibson held a “Peaceful Prayer Rally” with supporters of Patriot Prayer in Pioneer Square in downtown Portland. The demonstration remained largely peaceful despite the presence of counter-protesters.[30]

June 26, 2020: Joey Gibson led supporters of Patriot Prayer to protest Washington’s state-wide mask mandate, a measure taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The protesters also reportedly sought to show support for a pet groomer who had reopened her business in violation of COVID-19 regulations. Gibson was joined by members of the Peoples Rights Washington group in the demonstration outside of Vancouver City Hall in Vancouver, Washington.[31]

August 22, 2020: Right-wing groups, including Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys, showed up in Portland to participate in a “No to Marxism in America” rally, which attracted anti-fascist counter-protesters. Activists on both sides wielded a variety of weapons, including baseball bats and firearms. Several skirmishes broke out, some of which turned violent.[32]

August 29, 2020: Aaron “Jay” Danielson, a Patriot Prayer supporter, was shot and killed after participating in a pro-Trump truck caravan amid the ongoing George Floyd protests in Portland.[33] Joey Gibson had attended the pro-Trump caravan with Danielson earlier that day. [34]After the caravan, Danielson was killed by Michael Reinoehl, a self-described anti-fascist. Danielson was wearing a hat and shirt with the Patriot Prayer logo when he was shot.[35] Reinoehl was charged with second-degree murder and was shot and killed by the police only a few days later.[36]

November 7, 2020: In November 7, 2020, Joey Gibson organized a “Stop the Steal” rally in a park in Vancouver, Washington. Approximately 200 people showed up, some of whom were armed with handguns and rifles. Few counter-protesters were present.[37]

November 23, 2020: Gibson led a rally in Richland, Washington, and some attendees joined him afterward in traveling to Kennewick, Washington, to demonstrate outside the private residence of a Washington state Liquor and Cannabis Board officer. About a dozen people showed up, using a bull horn to call on the officer to “stand down” and stop enforcing coronavirus-related restrictions on indoor dining.[38]

December 12, 2020: Patriot Prayer organized a “Freedom Rally” in the small town of Mossyrock, Washington, to protest state-wide COVID-19 restrictions. The location of Mossyrock was likely selected to show support for Mossyrock’s mayor and his efforts to resist the restrictions. Attendance was in the hundreds, and the event was peaceful.[39]

December 21, 2020: Patriot Prayer organized a demonstration at the Oregon State Capitol to protest state-wide COVID-19 restrictions and mandates. On December 20, Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson tweeted to advertise the event: “State legislators will B there in person but they illegally closed the meeting to the public. We have an amazing opportunity to confront these criminals hiding from the people.”[40] Approximately 300 people attended. Some protestors attempted to enter the building and interrupt the legislature’s closed session discussing the COVID-19 relief policies. They pounded on and broke glass doors and sprayed officers denying their entry with chemical agents. [41] Some protestors were armed with weapons, including rifles.[42] Several protestors successfully breached the building but were subsequently removed by law enforcement.[43] Members of the Proud Boys were also reportedly in attendance.[44] Police made at least five arrests during the six-hour rally.[45]

August 8, 2021: Right-wing activists, including members of Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys, gathered in Portland to provide security for an event organized by anti-LGBTQ pastor Artur Pawlowski and COVID-skeptic preacher Sean Feucht. Following the event, the activists engaged in violent clashes with counter-protesters in the streets of downtown Portland, where the two groups sprayed mace, threw punches, and shot explosives at each other.[46]

September 10, 2021: Joey Gibson and Tusitala “Tiny” Toese were reportedly present among a group of about 40 people who gathered at a Vancouver, Washington high school to oppose the state’s mask mandate in schools.[47] The demonstration violated a court order and implicitly threatened violence.

[1] Matarrese, Andy. “Trump rally guests, protestors square off in Esther Short Park.” The Columbian. April 2, 2017. https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/apr/02/trump-rally-guests-protesters-square-off-in-esther-short-park/.; Brown, Doug. “Photos & Video: Protesters Arrested at a Donald Trump Rally in Vancouver.” Portland Mercury. April 2, 2017. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2017/04/02/18926966/photos-and-video-protesters-arrested-at-a-donald-trump-rally-in-vancouver/.

[2] Haukaas, Jonathan. “Clark County Trump rally disrupted by anarchists.” The Reflector, April 4, 2017. https://www.thereflector.com/stories/clark-county-trump-rally-disrupted…

[3] “Conservative march, counter protest forms in wake of canceled parade.” KGW 8. August 12, 2021. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/conservative-march-counter-protest-forms-in-wake-of-canceled-parade/283-435194023.

[4] Pein, Corey. “Right-Wing Group Plans "Free Speech" March In Wake Of East Portland Parade Cancellation.” Willamette Week. April 26, 2017. https://www.wweek.com/news/2017/04/26/right-wing-group-plans-free-speech-march-in-wake-of-east-portland-parade-cancellation/.; Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.; Pein, Corey and Nigel Jaquiss. “Who Radicalized Jeremy Christian? Alt-Right Extremists Rush to Distance Themselves From MAX Slaying Suspect.” Willamette Week. May 31, 2017. https://www.wweek.com/news/2017/05/31/who-radicalized-jeremy-christian-alt-right-extremists-rush-to-distance-themselves-from-max-slaying-suspect/.

[5] Pein, Corey, and Nigel Jaquiss. “Who Radicalized Jeremy Christian? Alt-Right Extremists Rush to Distance Themselves From MAX Slaying Suspect.” Willamette Week, May 31, 2017. https://www.wweek.com/news/2017/05/31/who-radicalized-jeremy-christian-…

[6] Wilson, Jason. “Portland knife attack: tension high as 'free speech rally' set for weekend.” The Guardian. May 29, 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/28/portland-knife-attack-free-speech-rally--sunday.

[7] Morton, Neal. “Riots mar May Day in Portland and Olympia. In Seattle? Light up the ‘peace joint.’” The Seattle Times. May 2, 2017. http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/riots-mar-may-day-in-portland-and-olympia-in-seattle-light-up-the-peace-joint/.; Kinsey, Kristin. “Stand Against Communism Rally hosted by Patriot Prayer: Counter-protestor demanding Patriot Prayer group go home, Westlake Park, Seattle, May 1, 2017.” University of Washington. May 1, 2017. https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/p16786coll16/id/1144/.

[8] Sottile, Leah. “Right-wing free speech rally draws massive counterprotests in Portland.” The Washington Post. June 4, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/right-wing-free-speech-rally-draws-massive-counter-protests-in-portland/2017/06/04/12971892-496f-11e7-9669-250d0b15f83b_story.html.; Sylvester, Terray. “Trump supporters confront counter-protests in Portland, Oregon.” Reuters. June 4, 2017. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oregon-protests/trump-supporters-confront-counter-protests-in-portland-oregon-idUSKBN18V0J0.; Hansen, Kristena. “14 arrested as pro-Trump rally draws massive counter-protests in Portland.” Chicago Tribune. June 4, 2017. https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-portland-protests-20170604-story.html.

[9] Wilson, Jason. “Far-right leader and Washington officers face civil rights lawsuit over violent incident.” The Guardian. November 5, 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/05/far-right-leader-joey-gibson-washington-officers-lawsuit; Neiwart, David. “Evergreen State Protest By 'Patriot' Group Dwarfed By Angry Response.” Southern Poverty Law Center, June 16, 2017. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/06/16/evergreen-state-protest-patriot-group-dwarfed-angry-response; Jaschik, Scott. “Evergreen Calls Off ‘Day of Absence.’” Inside Higher Ed, February 28, 2018. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2018/02/22/evergreen-state-cancels-day-absence-set-series-protests-and-controversies

[10] Neiwart, David. “Evergreen State Protest By 'Patriot' Group Dwarfed By Angry Response.” Southern Poverty Law Center, June 16, 2017. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/06/16/evergreen-state-protest-patriot-group-dwarfed-angry-response

[11] Neiwert, David. “Evergreen State Protest By ‘Patriot’ Group Dwarfed By Angry Response.” Southern Poverty Law Center. June 16, 2017. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/06/16/evergreen-state-protest-patriot-group-dwarfed-angry-response.

[12] Neiwart, David. “Evergreen State Protest By 'Patriot' Group Dwarfed By Angry Response.” Southern Poverty Law Center, June 16, 2017. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/06/16/evergreen-state-protest-patriot-group-dwarfed-angry-response

[13] Douglass, Joe. “Pro-Trump and anti-fascist demonstrators square off near Waterfront Blues Festival.” KATU 2. June 30, 2017. https://katu.com/news/local/pro-trump-and-anti-fascist-demonstrators-square-off-near-waterfront-blues-festival/.; “Violence breaks out at protests near Waterfront Blues Festival.” The Oregonian. July 1, 2017. https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2017/06/violence_breaks_out_at_protest.html.

[14] Helsel, Phil. “Leader of Right-Wing Group Cancels Planned San Francisco Rally.” NBC News. August 25, 2017. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/leader-right-wing-group-cancels-planned-san-francisco-rally-n796161.; Bhattacharjee, Riya. “‘Tomorrow Feels Like a Set-Up:' Conservative Group Patriot Prayer Cancels Free Speech Rally in SF.” NBC Bay Area. August 25, 2017. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/patriot-prayer-group-cancels-rally-in-san-francisco/30104/.; Sepulvado, John and Don Clyde. “S.F. Right-Wing Rally Canceled as Bay Area Officials Push Back Against Fringe-Right Rallies.” KQED. August 25, 2017. https://www.kqed.org/news/11613873/one-right-wing-rally-canceled-as-bay-area-officials-push-back-against-fringe-right-rallies.

[15] Barmann, Jay. “Patriot Prayer's Joey Gibson 'Rescued' By Berkeley Police; 13 Arrests Made During Sunday Demonstration.” SFist. August 27, 2017. https://sfist.com/2017/08/27/patriot_prayer_leader_joey_gibson_r/.; “Patriot Prayer Leader Pepper-Sprayed, Detained At Berkeley Rally.” CBSN Bay Area. August 27, 2017. https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/08/27/joey-gibson-berkeley-rally/.; Leitsinger, Miranda. “PHOTOS: Violence and Defiance Mark Berkeley Protest of Far Right.” KQED. August 27, 2017. https://www.kqed.org/news/11614202/photos-berkeley-protests-the-far-right.

[16] Thomas, Keaton. “Hundreds rally and march in downtown Portland to counter Patriot Prayer group.” KATU 2. September 10, 2017. https://katu.com/news/local/hundreds-rally-and-march-downtown-patriot-prayer-forced-and-chased-out-of-this-city.; Wesley, Lashay. “Free Speech rally, counter protests move to Vancouver after arrests in Portland.” KATU 2. September 10, 2017. https://katu.com/news/local/free-speech-rally-counter-protests-move-to-vancouver-after.; Matarrese, Andy. “Protesters clash in Patriot Prayer demonstration on Vancouver waterfront.” The Columbian. September 10, 2017. https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/sep/10/protesters-clash-in-patriot-prayer-demonstration-on-vancouver-waterfront/. Also available at https://www.proquest.com/docview/1937373923/389E029F9026476APQ/ ; Schulberg, Jessica. “Man Accused Of Trying To Mow Down Antifa With Truck Claims It Was A Misunderstanding.” HuffPost. September 14, 2017. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/billy-wilson-antifa-vancouver_n_59bab965e4b0edff971a22f4.

[17] Veklerov, Kimberly, Lizzie Johnson, and Jill Tucker. “Three arrests after fistfights between right, left at UC Berkeley.” SFGate. September 26, 2017. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/berkeley-protest-sproul-plaza-patriot-prayer-12230585.php.; “3 arrested in Berkeley during Patriot Prayer march.” KRON 4. September 26, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170930000058/http://kron4.com/2017/09/26/2-arrested-in-berkeley-during-patriot-prayer-march/.; Oreskes, Benjamin and Javier Panzar. “Scuffles break out during far-right march in Berkeley; at least 3 arrested.” Los Angeles Times. September 26, 2017. https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-patriot-prayer-berkeley-20170926-story.html; “Fraternal Order of Alt Knights (FOAK).” Southern Poverty Law Center. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/fraternal-order-alt-knights-foak.

[18] Kate O’Connell. “Protests and arrests at UW College Republicans rally Saturday.” KUOW. February 10, 2018. https://kuow.org/stories/protest-and-arrests-uw-college-republicans-rally-saturday/.

[19] “May Da 2018 in Seattle: How the marches and protests unfolded.” Seattle Times, May 1, 2018. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/live-updates-may-day-2018-seattle-march-rally/

[20] Neiwert, David. “Joey Gibson’s far-right Senate candidacy creates dilemma for Republicans.” Southern Poverty Law Center. May 21, 2018. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2018/05/21/joey-gibsons-far-right-senate-candidacy-creates-dilemma-republicans.

[21] Long, Katherine and Michelle Baruchman. “May Day marked by peaceful marches in Seattle, 1 arrest near Amazon Spheres.” The Seattle Times. May 2, 2018. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/may-day-marked-by-peaceful-march-little-mayhem-in-seattle/.

[22] “Antifa and Patriot Prayer demonstrators clash in downtown Portland; 4 arrested.” The Oregonian. June 3, 2018. https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2018/06/live_updates_antifa_vs_right-w.html.; Flaccus, Gillian. “Violent protests again draw attention to Portland, Oregon.” The Associated Press. June 9, 2018. https://apnews.com/article/f476a485c526430899935bcfccb04c8a.; Kenoyer, Kelly. “What We Got Wrong About Last Weekend's Violent Rallies.” Portland Mercury. June 8, 2018. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2018/06/08/20446918/what-we-got-wrong-about-last-weekends-violent-rallies.

[23] Politi, Daniel. “Arrests Made as Right-Wing Protesters, Anti-Fascists Fight in Portland Streets.” Slate. July 1, 2018. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/patriot-prayer-rally-arrests-made-as-right-wing-protesters-anti-fascists-fight-in-portland-streets.html.; Russo, Carla. “Right-Wing Portland Rally Declared Riot Amid Clashes With Antifa Protesters.” HuffPost. July 1, 2018. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/patriot-prayer-portland-riot_n_5b383170e4b0f3c221a17a8f.; Wilson, Jason. “Riot in Portland as far-right marchers clash with anti-fascists.” The Guardian. July 1, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/01/riot-in-portland-as-far-right-marchers-clash-with-anti-facists. Shepard, Katie. “Portland Police Declare a Riot After Right-Wing Marchers Begin Beating Antifascists with Flag Poles.” Willamette Week, June 30, 2018. https://www.wweek.com/news/2018/06/30/portland-police-declare-a-riot-after-right-wing-marchers-begin-beating-antifascists-with-flag-poles/ ; Shepard, Katie. “MAGA Mayhem Fractures a Man’s Skull, as Right-Wing Marchers Test the Limits of Free Speech in Portland.” Willamette Week, July 4, 2018. https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2018/07/04/maga-mayhem-fractures-a-mans-skull-as-right-wing-marchers-test-the-limits-of-free-speech-in-portland/

[24] Mathias, Christopher. “Portland’s Patriot Prayer Rally Could Be Most Violent Since Charlottesville, Activists Say.” HuffPost. August 3, 2018. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/portland-patriot-prayer-proud-boys-rally_n_5b646217e4b0de86f4a0ba04.; Sottile, Leah. “Protests again convulse Portland, Ore., as groups on the right and left face off.” The Washington Post. August 6, 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/08/04/protests-again-convulse-portland-ore-as-groups-on-the-right-and-left-face-off/.; Wilson, Jason. “Portland far-right rally: police charge counterprotesters with batons drawn.” The Guardian. August 5, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/04/patriot-prayer-to-carry-guns-at-portland-rally-as-fears-of-violence-rise.

[25] Gutman, David. “Patriot Prayer, others hold dueling Seattle rallies marked by lots of yelling, 3 arrests.” The Seattle Times. August 18, 2018. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/largely-peaceful-dueling-rallies-at-seattle-city-hall-marked-by-lots-of-yelling-3-arrests/.; Wilson, Jason. “’Liberty or Death’: rightwing protesters march against alleged leftwing violence in Seattle.” The Guardian. August 19, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/19/rightwing-protest-seattle-march-against-alleged-leftwing-violence.

[26] Wilson, Jason. “Arrests and clashes as rival right and left rallies descend on Portland again.” The Guardian. November 18, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/18/arrests-and-clashes-as-rival-right-and-left-rallies-descend-on-portland-again.; Casiano, Louis. “Patriot Prayer rally in Portland, Ore., leads to 6 arrests as groups clash.” Fox News. November 18, 2018. https://www.foxnews.com/us/six-arrested-in-dueling-portland-rallies-involving-patriot-prayer-group.

[27] “Documents detail Joey Gibson’s felony riot charge.” KOIN, September 5, 2019. https://www.koin.com/news/crime/documents-detail-joey-gibsons-felony-riot-charge/; Palmer, Ewan. “Far-Right Groups and Antifa Clash Again in Portland After Police Praise Peaceful May Day Protests.” Newsweek, May 2, 2019, https://www.newsweek.com/portland-proud-boys-patriot-prayer-antifa-may-….

[28] Bernstein, Maxine. “Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson sues Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt in federal court.” The Oregonian. September 11, 2020. https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2020/09/patriot-prayer-leader-sues-multnomah-county-da-mike-schmidt-in-federal-court.html.

[29] Bernstein, Maxine. “Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson sues Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt in federal court.” The Oregonian. September 11, 2020. https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2020/09/patriot-prayer-leader-sues-multnomah-county-da-mike-schmidt-in-federal-court.html; Ramakrishnan, Jayati. “Suspect pleads guilty to assaulting woman during May 2019 riot outside NE Portland bar.” The Oregonian. May 21, 2021. https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2021/05/suspect-pleads-guilty-to-assaulting-woman-during-may-2019-riot-outside-ne-portland-bar.html

[30] “Patriot Prayer holds ‘Peaceful Prayer Rally’ in Pioneer Square.” KOIN 6. September 15, 2019. https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/patriot-prayer-to-hold-peaceful-prayer-rally-sunday/.

[31] Ducey, Karen. “Patriot Prayer Holds Rally Protesting Mandatory Face Masks In Washington.” Getty Images, June 26, 2020. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/joey-gibson-from-patriot-prayer-and-kelli-stewart-from-and-news-photo/1223045367.

[32] Haas, Ryan, Sergio Olmos, and Bradley W. Parks. “Protesters fight using pepper spray, baseball bats in Portland on Saturday.” Oregon Public Broadcasting. August 22, 2020. https://www.opb.org/article/2020/08/22/conservative-protesters-plan-rallies-in-downtown-portland/.; Dowling, Jennifer. “‘Unlawful assembly’ by protesters at Terry Schrunk Plaza.” KOIN 6. August 22, 2020. https://www.koin.com/news/protests/portland-protests-patriot-rally-justice-center-proud-boys-antifa-08222020/.; Smith, Suzette. “Portland Police Stand By As Armed Alt-Right Protesters and Antifascists Brawl.” Portland Mercury. August 23, 2020. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2020/08/23/28759499/portland-police-stand-by-as-armed-alt-right-protesters-and-antifascists-brawl.; Jaquiss, Nigel. “Right-Wingers and Anti-Fascists Brawl Downtown as Police Stand By.” August 22, 2020. https://www.wweek.com/news/2020/08/22/right-wingers-anti-facists-brawl-….

[33] Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.

[34] Vance, Ken. “Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson addresses death of Aaron Danielson.” Clark County Today, September 1, 2020. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/patriot-prayer-leader-joey-gibson-addresses-death-of-aaron-danielson/

[35] Mesh, Aaron. “One Person Shot to Death Amid Trump Caravan in Downtown Portland.” Willamette Week. August 29, 2020. https://www.wweek.com/news/2020/08/29/one-person-shot-to-death-amid-trump-caravan-in-downtown-portland/.; Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.

[36] Bernstein, Maxine. “Michael Reinoehl appeared to target right-wing demonstrator before fatal shooting in Portland, police say.” The Oregonian. September 4, 2020. https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2020/09/arrest-warrant-against-michael-reinoehl-for-2nd-degree-murder-unlawful-use-of-a-firearm-unsealed.html.

[37] “Vancouver ‘Stop the Steal’ rally organized by Joey Gibson alleges election stolen from Trump.” The Columbian. November 7, 2020. https://www.columbian.com/news/2020/nov/07/vancouver-stop-the-steal-rally-organized-by-joey-gibson-alleges-election-stolen-from-trump/.

[38] Kochenauer, Jenna. “LCB responds to protests targeting employees.” 610 Kona News Radio, December 2, 2020. https://www.610kona.com/lcb-responds-to-protests-targeting-employees/.; Cary, Annette. “WA liquor agents followed and confronted after notifying Tri-Cities bar of COVID violation.” The Spokesman-Review, November 28, 2020. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/nov/27/wa-liquor-agents-followed….; Cary, Annette. “Tri-Cities liquor agent’s home targeted by Patriot Prayer activist for protest rally.” Tri-City Herald. November 23, 2020. https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/coronavirus/article247375014.html.

[39] Moreno, Amy. “Freedom rally drums up support for businesses in small Lewis County town.” King 5 News, December 12, 2020. https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/lewis-county-mossyrock-freedom-rally-support-small-businesses-washington/281-e58cb244-b5c3-44d4-a20a-0fae9c3b5133.; Fitzsimons, Tim. “Washington town hosts large anti-mask rally.” NBC News, Decemer 15, 2020. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/washington-town-hosts-large-anti-mask-rally-n1251294.

[40] “Man accused of attacking reporters at Oregon Capitol protest turns himself in.” KGW. December 21, 2020. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/protesters-gather-at-oregon-capitol-special-session/283-69f03372-80d5-48f3-8396-8847024119fb.

[41] Gruver, Tim. “Protests rock Oregon Capitol as lawmakers convene hectic special session.” The Center Square, December 21, 2020. https://www.thecentersquare.com/oregon/protests-rock-oregon-capitol-as-lawmakers-convene-hectic-special-session/article_a4ff9e5a-43be-11eb-874a-1f5d293ba11a.html; Dake, Lauren, and Dirk VanderHart. “Far-right protesters disrupt Oregon Legislature special session.” Oregon Public Broadcasting, December 21, 2020. https://www.opb.org/article/2020/12/21/oregon-legislature-special-session-protests/; “Man accused of attacking reporters at Oregon Capitol protest turns himself in.” KGW. December 21, 2020. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/protesters-gather-at-oregon-capitol-special-session/283-69f03372-80d5-48f3-8396-8847024119fb.

[42] Owen, Tess. “Armed Anti-Lockdown Protesters Just Tried to Storm Oregon's State Capitol.” Vice, December 21, 2020. https://www.vice.com/en/article/5dp5kd/armed-anti-lockdown-protesters-just-tried-to-storm-oregons-state-capitol

[43] Gruver, Tim. “Protests rock Oregon Capitol as lawmakers convene hectic special session.” The Center Square, December 21, 2020. https://www.thecentersquare.com/oregon/protests-rock-oregon-capitol-as-lawmakers-convene-hectic-special-session/article_a4ff9e5a-43be-11eb-874a-1f5d293ba11a.html; Dake, Lauren, and Dirk VanderHart. “Far-right protesters disrupt Oregon Legislature special session.” Oregon Public Broadcasting, December 21, 2020. https://www.opb.org/article/2020/12/21/oregon-legislature-special-session-protests/; “Man accused of attacking reporters at Oregon Capitol protest turns himself in.” KGW. December 21, 2020. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/protesters-gather-at-oregon-capitol-special-session/283-69f03372-80d5-48f3-8396-8847024119fb.

[44] “Patriot Prayer member arrested after Salem protest.” KOIN, January 5, 20201. https://www.koin.com/news/man-associated-with-patriot-prayer-proud-boys-arrested-following-salem-protest/; Haroun, Azmi. “Anti-lockdown protesters storm Oregon Capitol building, clashing with police officers.” Insider, December 21, 2020. https://www.businessinsider.com/far-right-protestors-storm-oregon-state-capitol-building-2020-12

[45] “Man accused of attacking reporters at Oregon Capitol protest turns himself in.” KGW. December 21, 2020. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/protesters-gather-at-oregon-capitol-special-session/283-69f03372-80d5-48f3-8396-8847024119fb.; Withycombe, Claire and Virginia Barreda. “4 arrests made after protesters attempt to enter Oregon State Capitol during session.” Salem Statesman Journal. December 21, 2020. https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/21/protesters-gather-oregon-legislature-starts-special-session/3993102001/.

[46] Zielinski, Alex. “No Charges for Far-Right Activist Who Strolled Through Downtown Portland With Rifle.” Portland Mercury. August 9, 2021. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2021/08/09/35814684/no-charges-for-far-right-activist-who-strolled-through-downtown-portland-with-rifle.; Sparling, Zane. “Portland faith event spurs skirmishes between left, right.” Portland Tribune. August 9, 2021. https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/517955-413867-portland-faith-event-spurs-skirmishes-between-left-right-?wallit_nosession=1.

[47] “Anti-mask demonstrators return to school despite court order.” The Associated Press. September 10, 2021. https://apnews.com/article/health-religion-education-coronavirus-pandemic-vancouver-7c0cd73c526d5176cb4dd49c0173c2ae.; Brynelson, Troy. “Anti-mask demonstrators return to Vancouver’s Skyview High School, despite court order.” Oregon Public Broadcasting. September 10, 2021. https://www.opb.org/article/2021/09/10/anti-mask-protests-return-vancouver-washington-skyview-high-school-court-order/. Although no violence resulted on this occasion, Patriot Prayer has consistently used its presence at events to instigate and provoke violence. Its presence threatens violence.

InteractionsForeign Designations and Listings, Community Relations, Relations with Other Groups, State Sponsors and External Influences

Designated/Listed

This group has not been designated as a terrorist organization by any major national government or international body.

Community Relations

Patriot Prayer draws supporters from a range of communities and backgrounds. The majority of its supporters appear to be white, although members do include people of color. The group’s founder, Joey Gibson, identifies as Japanese American and has used the presence of people of color to “prove” that the group is not racist.[1] People associated with the group range from Trump supporters to white nationalists.[2]

Patriot Prayer has often used Facebook to recruit members and attendees to its events.[3] In September 2020, Facebook took down the pages for Patriot Prayer and Joey Gibson as part of its crackdown on “violent social militias.” Before it was removed, the page had nearly 45,000 followers.[4] The group now has a dedicated website where it posts information on upcoming events and rallies.

In a September 2020 interview with The Washington Post, Joey Gibson claimed that he has “shifted the group to be less confrontational.” According to Gibson, “The last few years, we didn’t even organize in Portland. We go into smaller areas, and we have been putting all of our effort into meeting with victims of government overreach.”[5] Since 2020, the group’s protests have indeed focused more on combatting COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates in communities in than on confronting left-wing protesters.[6]

[1] O’Connor, Brendan. “An Afternoon With Portland’s ‘Multiracial’ Far Right.” The Nation. August 6, 2018. https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/afternoon-portlands-multi-racial-far-right/.

[2] Burley, Shane. “Patriot Prayer is building a violent movement in Portland.” Salon. July 4, 2019. https://www.salon.com/2019/07/04/patriot-prayer-is-building-a-violent-movement-in-portland_partner/.

[3] Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.; Shepherd, Katie. “Patriot Prayer is Recruiting Out-Of-Town Far-Right Activists—and Alex Jones—to Protest In Portland On August 4.” Willamette Week. July 13, 2018. https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2018/07/13/patriot-prayer-is-recruiting-out-of-town-far-right-activists-and-alex-jones-to-protest-in-portland-on-august-4/.

[4] Hay, Andrew and Katie Paul. “Facebook removes pages of right-wing group Patriot Prayer after Portland unrest.” Reuters. September 4, 2020. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-race-protests-portland-faceboo-idUSKBN25V2UH.; Brynelson, Troy. “Facebook removes Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson.” Oregon Public Broadcasting. September 4, 2020. https://www.opb.org/article/2020/09/04/facebook-removes-patriot-prayer-founder-joey-gibson/.

[6] Kochenauer, Jenna. “LCB responds to protests targeting employees.” 610 Kona News Radio, December 2, 2020. https://www.610kona.com/lcb-responds-to-protests-targeting-employees/.; Ducey, Karen. “Patriot Prayer Holds Rally Protesting Mandatory Face Masks In Washington.” Getty Images, June 26, 2020. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/joey-gibson-from-patriot-prayer-and-kelli-stewart-from-and-news-photo/1223045367.; Moreno, Amy. “Freedom rally drums up support for businesses in small Lewis County town.” King 5 News, December 12, 2020. https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/lewis-county-mossyrock-freedom-rally-support-small-businesses-washington/281-e58cb244-b5c3-44d4-a20a-0fae9c3b5133.; Fitzsimons, Tim. “Washington town hosts large anti-mask rally.” NBC News, Decemer 15, 2020. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/washington-town-hosts-large-anti-mask-rally-n1251294.; “Anti-mask demonstrators return to school despite court order.” The Associated Press. September 10, 2021. https://apnews.com/article/health-religion-education-coronavirus-pandemic-vancouver-7c0cd73c526d5176cb4dd49c0173c2ae.

Relationships with Other Groups

Patriot Prayer has cultivated relationships with other right-wing groups that share their hostility towards the left, including the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, and the Three Percenters.[1] According to an individual who successfully infiltrated Patriot Prayer, it is the group’s partnerships with other right-wing groups that help increase their numbers at events.[2]

Proud Boys

The Proud Boys is all-male, far-right extremist organization with chapters around the United States, including in the Pacific Northwest. Patriot Prayer has collaborated with local members of the Proud Boys to organize many of its rallies and events. For example, in May 2018, members of the two groups worked together to organize a counter-protest of the annual “March for Immigrant and Workers Rights” in Seattle, Washington.[3] In August 2018, Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys jointly host a rally in Portland to support Joey Gibson’s bid to become a senator for the state of Washington.[4]

Proud Boys members also came out to support many of the events organized by Patriot Prayer, including the group’s protest at the Oregon State Capitol in December 2020. [5] In turn, Patriot Prayer members also attended rallies put on by the Proud Boys. For example, Gibson encouraged his followers to “show up one hundred fold” at a May 2019 rally organized by the Proud Boys and Three Percenters.[6]

Membership in Patriot Prayer is highly fluid, and some members are also members of the Proud Boys. Tusitala “Tiny” Toese, described in reports as Gibson’s “top lieutenant” and “sidekick,” was both a member of Patriot Prayer and an organizer of Proud Boys events in Portland.[7] Additionally, there is evidence that Chandler Pappas was a member of Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys.[8]

In a speech at a May 2018 event co-organized with the Proud Boys, Gibson proclaimed his support of the Proud Boys: “I will never turn my back on you,” Gibson stated. “There’s so much pressure on me right now, it’s constant, people all the time. They’re like, ‘Disavow them, disavow them, distance yourself, distance yourself.’ Here’s the thing, though: We cannot sell each other out! We gotta support one another. We gotta continue to hold each other up.”[9]

However, reports in September 2020 suggested that Gibson’s relationship with the Proud Boys might have soured. According to The Washington Post, Gibson is “no longer affiliated with the Proud Boys, after he and other leaders of the group went their separate ways.”[10]

Three Percenters

The Three Percenters is a far-right, anti-government extremist group. It is considered one of the largest umbrella groups in the U.S. militia movement and has chapters around the country. Patriot Prayer has maintained connections to the Three Percenters mostly through shared participation at events. In August 2018, Patriot Prayer and the Washington Chapter of the Three Percenters held a joint “Liberty or Death” rally in Seattle to protest against leftwing violence.[11] At Patriot Prayer’s “Rally for Trump and Freedom” in April 2017, the Three Percenters provided security.[12] Three Percenters members have also been in attendance at Patriot Prayer rallies in June 2017 and September 2017.[13] Gibson encouraged his own Patriot Prayer followers to “show up one hundred fold” at a May 2019 rally organized by the Proud Boys and Three Percenters.[14]Unlike the Proud Boys, there is less evidence that Patriot Prayer shares members with the Three Percenters.

Oath Keepers

The Oath Keepers is a far-right militant organization with chapters around the country. It recruits heavily from former military and law enforcement personnel and opposes overreach by the federal government. Unlike the Proud Boys and Three Percenters, there is less evidence of ties between Oath Keepers and Patriot Prayer. Oath Keepers members have not been regular attendees at Patriot Prayer rallies.

In June 2017, the Oath Keepers provided security for a “Trump Free Speech Rally” organized by Patriot Prayer in Portland, Oregon. The request for security reportedly came from a local Republican Party chairman, and it is unclear if the Oath Keepers communicated or coordinated at all with Patriot Prayer leadership.[15]

Other organizations

Patriot Prayer rallies attracted a variety of supporters from the far-right, including neo-Nazis, and other organized white supremacists appeared at the group’s rallies and events.[16] Members of Identity Evropa, a white nationalist group, were reportedly seen at the groups’ events.[17]

[1] “What you need to know about the upcoming far-right rallies in the Pacific Northwest.” Southern Poverty Law Center. August 1, 2018. https://www.splcenter.org/news/2018/08/01/what-you-need-know-about-upcoming-far-right-rallies-pacific-northwest.; Alfonsi, Sharon. “Oath Keepers: How a Militia Group Mobilized in Plain Sight for the Assault on the Capitol.” CBS News. June 20, 2021. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-capitol-riots-oath-keepers-2021-06-20/.; Coaston, Jane. “The pro-Trump, anti-left Patriot Prayer group, explained.” Vox. September 8, 2020. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/8/21417403/patriot-prayer-explained-portland.; “Proud Boys.” Southern Poverty Law Center. N.d. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys.

[2] Zielinksi, Alex. “Undercover in Patriot Prayer: Insights From a Vancouver Democrat Who's Been Working Against the Far-Right Group from the Inside.” Portland Mercury. August 26, 2019. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2019/08/26/27039560/undercover-in-patriot-prayer-insights-from-a-vancouver-democrat-whos-been-working-against-the-far-right-group-from-the-inside.

[3] “May Da 2018 in Seattle: How the marches and protests unfolded.” Seattle Times, May 1, 2018. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/live-updates-may-day-2018-seattle-march-rally/

[4] Mathias, Christopher. “Portland’s Patriot Prayer Rally Could Be Most Violent Since Charlottesville, Activists Say.” HuffPost. August 3, 2018. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/portland-patriot-prayer-proud-boys-rally_n_5b646217e4b0de86f4a0ba04.; Sottile, Leah. “Protests again convulse Portland, Ore., as groups on the right and left face off.” The Washington Post. August 6, 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/08/04/protests-again-convulse-portland-ore-as-groups-on-the-right-and-left-face-off/.; Wilson, Jason. “Portland far-right rally: police charge counterprotesters with batons drawn.” The Guardian. August 5, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/04/patriot-prayer-to-carry-guns-at-portland-rally-as-fears-of-violence-rise.

[5] “Patriot Prayer member arrested after Salem protest.” KOIN, January 5, 20201. https://www.koin.com/news/man-associated-with-patriot-prayer-proud-boys-arrested-following-salem-protest/; Haroun, Azmi. “Anti-lockdown protesters storm Oregon Capitol building, clashing with police officers.” Insider, December 21, 2020. https://www.businessinsider.com/far-right-protestors-storm-oregon-state-capitol-building-2020-12

[6] Flaccus, Gillian. “Patriot Prayer no stranger to protests in Northwest.” Associated Press. August 30, 2020. https://apnews.com/article/senate-elections-race-and-ethnicity-ap-top-news-id-state-wire-or-state-wire-e101a0c72bb779b706f9d1d97a7c71ed.; “Proud Boys.” Southern Poverty Law Center. N.d. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys.

[7] Sparling, Zain. “Portland Proud Boy ‘Tiny’ Toese shot at Washington protest.” KOIN, September 4, 2020. https://www.koin.com/news/protests/portland-proud-boy-tiny-toese-shot-at-washington-protest/; Bernstein, Maxine. “Lieutenant removed from Rapid Response Team as Portland police investigate his texts with Patriot Prayer’s Joey Gibson.” The Oregonian, February 15, 2019. https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2019/02/portland-police-lieutenant-removed-from-rapid-response-team-as-bureau-investigates-his-texts-with-patriot-prayers-joey-gibson.html; Kavanaugh, Shane Dixon. “Proud Boy Tusitala ‘Tiny’ Toese faces felony charges in clash near abandoned Portland Kmart.” The Oregonian, January 18, 2022. https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2022/01/proud-boy-tusitala-tiny-toese-faces-felony-charges-in-clash-near-abandoned-portland-kmart.html

[8] “Patriot Prayer member arrested after Salem protest.” KOIN, January 5, 20201. https://www.koin.com/news/man-associated-with-patriot-prayer-proud-boys-arrested-following-salem-protest/

[9] Neiwert, David. “Joey Gibson’s far-right Senate candidacy creates dilemma for Republicans.” Southern Poverty Law Center. May 21, 2018. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2018/05/21/joey-gibsons-far-right-senate-candidacy-creates-dilemma-republicans.

[10] Craig, Tim and Souad Mekhennet. “Portland killing renews focus on tactics of far-right group Patriot Prayer.” The Washington Post. September 1, 2020. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2020/09/01/2b7baf62-ec9b-11ea-b4bc-3a2098fc73d4_story.html.

[11] Gutman, David. “Patriot Prayer, others hold dueling Seattle rallies marked by lots of yelling, 3 arrests.” The Seattle Times. August 18, 2018. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/largely-peaceful-dueling-rallies-at-seattle-city-hall-marked-by-lots-of-yelling-3-arrests/.; Wilson, Jason. “’Liberty or Death’: rightwing protesters march against alleged leftwing violence in Seattle.” The Guardian. August 19, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/19/rightwing-protest-seattle-march-against-alleged-leftwing-violence.

[12] Matarrese, Andy. “Trump rally guests, protestors square off in Esther Short Park.” The Columbian. April 2, 2017. https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/apr/02/trump-rally-guests-protesters-square-off-in-esther-short-park/.; Brown, Doug. “Photos & Video: Protesters Arrested at a Donald Trump Rally in Vancouver.” Portland Mercury. April 2, 2017. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2017/04/02/18926966/photos-and-video-protesters-arrested-at-a-donald-trump-rally-in-vancouver/.

[13] Sottile, Leah. “Right-wing free speech rally draws massive counterprotests in Portland.” The Washington Post. June 4, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/right-wing-free-speech-rally-draws-massive-counter-protests-in-portland/2017/06/04/12971892-496f-11e7-9669-250d0b15f83b_story.html; Matarrese, Andy. “Protesters clash in Patriot Prayer demonstration on Vancouver waterfront.” The Columbian. September 10, 2017. https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/sep/10/protesters-clash-in-patriot-prayer-demonstration-on-vancouver-waterfront/ . Also available at https://www.proquest.com/docview/1937373923/389E029F9026476APQ/

[14] Flaccus, Gillian. “Patriot Prayer no stranger to protests in Northwest.” Associated Press. August 30, 2020. https://apnews.com/article/senate-elections-race-and-ethnicity-ap-top-news-id-state-wire-or-state-wire-e101a0c72bb779b706f9d1d97a7c71ed.; “Proud Boys.” Southern Poverty Law Center. N.d. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys.

[15] Sylvester, Terray. “Trump supporters confront counter-protests in Portland, Oregon.” Reuters, June 4, 2017. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oregon-protests/trump-supporters-confront-counter-protests-in-portland-oregon-idUSKBN18V0J0

[16] O’Connor, Brendan. “An Afternoon With Portland’s ‘Multiracial’ Far Right.” The Nation. August 6, 2018. https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/afternoon-portlands-multi-racial-far-right/.

[17] Shepard, Katie. “After Nearly Three Years of Orchestrating Violent Rallies, Patriot Prayer Leader Joey Gibson Turns Himself In on Felony Riot Charge.” Willamette Week, August 16, 2019. https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2019/08/16/after-nearly-three-years-of-orchestrating-violent-rallies-patriot-prayer-leader-joey-gibson-turns-himself-in-on-felony-riot-charge/

State Sponsors and External Influences

There are no identifiable external influences for this group.

MapsThe project develops a series of interactive diagrams that “map” relationships among groups and show how those relationships change over time. The user can change map settings to display different features (e.g., leadership changes), adjust the time scale, and trace individual groups.

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Patriot Prayer

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