What are ‘Boogaloo Bois’ and what do they want? – Morgan Hill Times
Posted By admin on September 21, 2020
By Todd Guild
When armed Air Force Sgt. Steven Carrillo gunned down Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller and injured three other law enforcement officials in a short but violent June crime spree, it thrust the Boogaloo group in which he claimed membership into the national spotlight. Carrillo, who used a homemade weapon, faces additional charges for gunning down a federal officer in Oakland.
In the weeks that followed, Police also arrested Carrillos alleged accomplice in the Oakland shooting, another man with ties to Boogaloo.
Then on Aug. 27, Gilroy resident Alan Viarengo was arrested for allegedly sending 24 anonymous, threatening letters to Santa Clara County Health Officer Sara Cody. Investigators serving a search warrant at his home found 138 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and explosive materials.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office also received threatening letters, as did Gutzwillers family, and Santa Cruz sheriffs deputies are investigating whether those letters have any connection to Viarengo, who worked as a teacher at Gavilan College in Gilroy, and had his own ties to Boogaloo.
Despite the high-profile Boogaloo Boi cases, theres no evidence that the movement has a particular foothold in the region, although law enforcement and civil rights experts are still learning about the underground group.
Origins of the Boogaloo name trace back to 1960s New York City, where a man named Joe Cuba invented a Latin-American dance by the same name. Then came a 1984 movie titled Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo, a B-movie about evil developers trying to demolish an urban recreation center, and the plucky dancers who try to stop them.
The Boogaloo term took on new meaning when a loose-knit group of anti-government activists adopted it.
Anti-government activists began sharing memes playing on the films title, with variations like Civil War 2: Electric Boogaloo, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Per the ADL, Boogaloo members built the movement around preparing for the civil war they believe will lead to the collapse of the U.S. government and society.
The Boogaloo group is not mainstream nor even particularly well understood, says ADL Regional Director Seth Bryst.
It still is very much a fringe group, he says, not something where we have any particular imminent threats, none that were aware of or that are being reported about.
The FBI declined to comment directly for this story, but instead emailed a prepared response that the term Boogaloo does not refer to a single, cohesive group.
It is a loose concept discussed on internet platforms, which has become a rallying point for a variety of actors motivated by several different ideologies, the statement reads. The bureau says its concern is not about ideology, but potential violence.
The pandemic may be fueling more interest in the group. Bryst explains that members associated with Boogaloo have increasingly made appearances at public demonstrations, many of them expressing frustration with restrictions in response to the pandemic.
Some, Bryst says, are hoping to stoke racial tension as a catalyst for what they believe is a coming civil war. Others, he adds, claim not to be racist but are merely protesting what they frame as government overreach.
The Boogaloo movement also sometimes uses similar-sounding words such as big igloohence the igloo images sometimes connected to itand big luau, which is why many members wear Hawaiian print shirts. (One symbol for the group is a modified black-and-white American flag with a Hawaiian-print stripe and an igloo on it.)
In addition, some members have used hashtag terms such as #CNN and terms like CNN Bois, Bryst says. These terms are both a way to identify themselves to other members and to hide their activities from those who arent in the know, he says.
Because it isnt a membership organization and it has no leadership structure, its difficult to determine the prevalence of the movement, Bryst says.
Bryst says law enforcement should pay attention to the activities of the Boogaloo movement, even when they are engaged in constitutionally protected activities.
Its not a bad idea to make law enforcement aware, because sometimes it can be a harbinger and sometimes it can help to establish a pattern, or be helpful in terms of a future investigation, Bryst said.
Spokespeople from the Santa Cruz and Watsonville police departments and the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office, all had similar statements: yes, were aware of the group but no, were not concerned that theres any imminent threat from the Boogaloo movement.
We do pay attention to various hate groups in the city and in the county, SCPD spokeswoman Joyce Blaschke said.
Boogaloo members claim that their community is peaceful, and not a hate group.
Duncan Lent, who goes by Boogalooboi on social media, lives in the Appalachian region. He estimates that between 500,000-1,000,000 people around the U.S. identify with the movement, with members communicating largely through social media. But with platforms clamping down on language associated with Boogaloo, many are turning to local, in-person networking, he says.
Lent says he doesnt believe Carrillo speaks for the movement, adding that the group pretty much excommunicated Carrillo after he was arrested for murder. (Carrillo allegedly wrote boog in his own blood after his crime spreean apparent reference to the movement. He also had at least one Boogaloo patch and met his accomplice Robert Justus through the movement.)
Guns are central to the Boogaloo groups ideology, though.
Lent says he began to identify with the term Boogaloo years ago while working in a gun shop, and saw lawmakers pass laws that he viewed as onerous. This includes legislation governing barrel length, and a law banning bump-stocks, which came in the wake of the October 2017 shooting in Las Vegas that killed 59 and wounded 412. Bump stocks replace the stock on a rifle, which allows the recoil to bump the rifle back and forth against the trigger finger, making rapid fire easier.
The point of the Boogaloo movement is for us and generations moving forward to maintain the freedoms that this country was founded with, Lent says.
In June, Facebook removed 220 Facebook accounts, 106 Facebook groups, 95 Instagram accounts and 28 Facebook pages associated with the Boogaloo movement, for fear they were planning violent attacks.
Bryst, of the ADL, says some companies have been more proactive than others when it comes to enforcing violations.
What we do find is that extremist groups like this have found it easier to spread their messaging in the age of social media, Bryst says, and there are some social media platforms that have done a better job of eliminating those that violate their terms.
Continued here:
What are 'Boogaloo Bois' and what do they want? - Morgan Hill Times
- Christian Anti-Defamation League: "Bashing" [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- ADL Calls For "Major Law Enforcement Operaton" to Deal with Obamacare Critics 1/2 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Leo Frank and the Founding of the ADL, Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith [Last Updated On: January 4th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League Warns of 'lone Wolves' [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League Protest [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2011]
- re: anti-defamation league warns of 'lone wolves' [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League ADL Part 4 [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]
- Alex Jones Talks About The ADL Attacking Him [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]
- Secretary Napolitano at the Anti-Defamation League Leadership Conference 4/22/09 [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2011]
- Anti Defamation league [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2011]
- Alex Details ADL's Latest Attack on Him and Other Patriots on Alex Jones Tv 1/2 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2011]
- disclose Anti Defamation League ADL 7 Video [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League - Interfaith Mission [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2011]
- Closing Arguments of Frank Hooper against Brooklyn Jew Leo Frank August 21, 1913 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2011]
- Leo Frank Case 1913: Frank Hooper Closing Arguments for State of Georgia vs. Leo Frank charged with the Murder of Mary Phagan [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation league calls David Dees 'conspiratorial artist' [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2011]
- William Cooper - The Ugly Truth About the Anti-Defamation League #2 (Full Length) [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2011]
- ADL Calls For "Major Law Enforcement Operaton" to Deal with Obamacare Critics 2/2 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2011]
- William Cooper - The Ugly Truth About the Anti-Defamation League #4 (Full Length) [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2011]
- REICH PROPAGANDIST REPORTED AS "A PUBLIC DANGER" BY ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2011]
- William Cooper The Ugly Truth About the Anti Defamation League #2 Full Length [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2011]
- William Cooper The Ugly Truth About the Anti Defamation League #1 Full Length [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2011]
- The Racist Anti-Semitic Murder of Jewish Factory Boss Leo Frank [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2011]
- The Murder of an Innocent Jew [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2011]
- The Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith by Dr. William Pierce 1/2 [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2011]
- David Icke - ADL, Zionism and The House of Rothschilds need to be exposed [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2011]
- William Cooper The Ugly Truth About the Anti Defamation League 5 Full Length [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2011]
- Cadeflaw Advocates 2010 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2011]
- August 17, 1915: The Only Jew Lynched in North American History [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2011]
- Anti-Semitism August 17, 1915, the only lynching of a Jew in USA history. Leo M. Frank gets lynched by a Mob. [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2011]
- James Baldwin and Dick Gregory: "Baldwin's Nigger" (1969) - Video [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League Calling For Helen Thomas Suicide Or Death [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2011]
- The Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith Born in the Murder Trial of Pedophile Rapist Leo Frank [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2011]
- The 1913 Murder Trial that resulted in the Birth of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2011]
- William F. Buckley Gives Muhammad Ali His Props (December 12, 1968) - Video [Last Updated On: September 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2011]
- Alicia Bleier of the Anti-Defamation League on Larry King murder trial [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2011]
- Driven by a mission [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2011]
- FB 4.5: Simple Android app - Run Configuration - desktop adl [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- ADL Calls For "Major Law Enforcement Operaton" to Deal with Obamacare Critics 1/2 [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- ADL Jews Want To Talk To Farrakhan [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2011]
- Tell the ADL to go to Hell [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League - Security Skills [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2011]
- William Pierce on the ADL 1/2 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- ADL Exposed: (Anti Defamation League) A Zionist Propaganda and Fake Agency [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League Calling For Helen Thomas Suicide Or Death - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Slemany Adl Aziz Bo Medane Azade Slemany 2011 - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- ADL attacks me, how desperate and pathetic they must be - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Anti Defamation league - Video [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2011]
- ADL Calls For "Major Law Enforcement Operaton" to Deal with Obamacare Critics 2/2 - Video [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2011]
- Muhammad Ali interviewed by Howard Cosell (Nov. 4, 1974) - Video [Last Updated On: October 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2011]
- William Cooper - The Ugly Truth About the Anti-Defamation League #1 (Full Length) - Video [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2011]
- Control Resistance "Declaration" - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2011]
- Muhammad Ali Interview with Ian Wooldridge (1969) - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- ISRAEL - The Promised Land of Organized Crime - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- William Cooper The Ugly Truth About the Anti Defamation League #2 Full Length - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Farah Calls Ted Pike a Lying Anti-Semite (Oct 2011) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2011]
- Speach02(Dr. Bounthone Chanthalavong- Wiese) - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2011]
- Defamation - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2011]
- Defamation - ADL bullying Ukraine into downplaying the Holodomor as serious as the Holocaust - Video [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2011]
- Rabbi David Komerofsky Testimonial - 2010 ADL Austin Torch of Liberty Award Dinner - Video [Last Updated On: November 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2011]
- The Illustrated Protocols Of Zion - Video [Last Updated On: December 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2011]
- William Pierce on the ADL 1/2 - Video [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2011]
- Mosque at Ground Zero: That's Bullshit - Video [Last Updated On: January 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 6th, 2012]
- Michelle Monaghan and Alice Eve ADL Entertainment Industry Awards Arrivals - Video [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2012]
- Has Jewry Infiltrated The Local Police? - Video [Last Updated On: January 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2012]
- ADL 122 - Lotte e Duri Armenti - Video [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2012]
- Jew(s) Against the Anti-Defamation League - Video [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2012]
- Controversial Former News Anchor Speaks To ADL - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2012]
- A Tribute to the ADL - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- Who's Behind The Firing Of Pat Buchanan? - Video [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2012]
- ADL condemns upcoming Oakland talk by ‘hate-mongering’ activist [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2012]
- Adolf HITLER Shampoo Commercial for Biomen - Video [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2012]
- The Anti-Defamation League A Day of Difference - Video [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2012]
- Whole Foods Market - Anti Defamation League - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2012]
- Anti-Defamation (2/4) - Video [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2012]
- Anti-Defamation League Responds To Oak Creek Temple Shooting - Video [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2012]
- High School Interns Learn How To Combat Prejudice [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2012]
- Who Exactly Owns The Media 2012? - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2012]
- Egypt prayer for destruction of Israel - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2012]
- ADL Behind The Scenes - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
Comments