A Guide To The Right-wing Groups In Seattle On Sunday

SEATTLE, WA — On Sunday afternoon, King County Executive Dow Constantine released a statement decrying the "white supremacists and fascists" who had gathered at Westlake on Sunday afternoon. Coverage of the event on MSNBC also described the Westlake rally as a sort-of white supremacist gathering. Meanwhile, counter-protesters continually shouted "Go home Nazis" at the right-wing group, which is known as Patriot Prayer.

It's a little more complicated than that. There were many right-wing political groups at Westlake Sunday, and there were no open Nazis or white supremacists. That's not to say they weren't there, but no one was using the Nazi salute or proclaiming affinity to white nationalist groups.

Here's a look at the different right-wing groups seen at the Sunday event:

Proud Boys

The frat boys of the alt-right, Proud Boys are easily identifiable. They wear black Fred Perry polo shirts with yellow highlights. They often wear red "Make America Great Again" hats and are usually spotted arguing (loudly) with left-wing antifa (anti-fascist) protesters. Are they Nazis? The group's founder, Gavin McInnes (also the co-founder of Vice magazine), describes the group as "pro-West," which sounds like a lightweight way to say "pro-white." The group does, however, allow nonwhite members, under certain conditions.

Cascade Legion

A Pacific Northwest group organized to "fight terrorism in the streets," according to the group's website. It's unclear which terrorists, but they were at Sunday's rally dressed for battle, and they appear solidly against anti-fascists. The group's members will usually wear the Cascade Legion logo, which looks like some sort of pagan symbol. Similar pagan symbols have been used by right-wing extremist groups, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Anti-Communist Action

Pretty self-explanatory, this is another group dedicated to fighting left-wing activists. Although the name indicates they fight communists, the groups seems more focused on anti-fascists. Some anti-fascists might be communists, but some are anarchists. Anti-Communist Action affiliates can be identified by the Knights Templar cross surrounded by four smaller crosses. The Templar cross and other similar equilateral crosses have been adopted by skinhead groups, but Anti-Communists Action is not specifically aligned with white supremacists.

III% (or 3 Percenters)

This group pledges to "get patriots to network, prepare, and petition together on a local level. We intend to provide a framework and guidance that ‘The People’ can use to make positive change in restoring the founding principles of our Constitutional Republic." A 3 Percenter at the Westlake rally was not carrying a weapon, although the group is committed to Second Amendment rights.

RWSS (Right Wing Safety Squad)

The Right Wing Safety Squad has been associated with Nazi groups. The "safety squad" portion of the name is usually displayed using the Nazi "SS" logo. The group appears to be a generally anti-left organization with some members espousing anti-Semitic rhetoric.

Cult of Kek

This group "worships" Pepe the Frog, and can be seen in public holding the Cult of Kek flag. The flag, in particular, looks similar to a swastika, and it appears the design is purposeful to upset (or "trigger") those on the left.

Patriot Prayer

This group is based in Vancouver, Washington, and was founded by Joey Gibson. Patriot Prayer billed Sunday's event as a "First Amendment Rally," and Gibson made room for left-wing activists to speak. Gibson has said that the group rejects white nationalist ideology, although the group is pro-Christian. Patriot Prayer was involved in a rolling melee in June with anti-fascists protesters after the March Against Sharia demonstration in Seattle.

Photos by Neal McNamara/Patch