A Proud Boys demonstration in Portland, Oregon, became the subject of mockery after the far-right group misjudged the placement of a smoke bomb that went off near them in a Kmart parking lot.
The all-male, neo-fascist group was founded during the 2016 presidential election and are known for their violent protests in the U.S.
But it seems their recent rally, called "Summer of Love," literally went up in smoke.
The Proud Boys are now reduced to hanging out in the parking lot of an abandoned KMart, and they just accidentallyโฆ https://t.co/d7znCPsGf4โ Palmer Report (@Palmer Report) 1629671626.0
Sunday's clash between right-wing demonstrators and left-wing protesters erupted into chaos that included exchanging paintballs, bear mace, in a roving brawl on busy neighborhood streets.
The violence culminated in gunshots in downtown Portland around 6 p.m. when anti-fascist demonstrators returned fire at a man who shot at them with a handgun.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the shooting incident, according to OPB.
In the smoke bomb clip, a group member, who stood on a rolling stage and shrouded in yellow smoke, was heard instructing:
"Could we move that smoke bomb a little bit out there? We got elderly people here, guys."
People had a field day trolling the group's smoky debacle.
@PalmerReport @AshShimabukuro they set off a bomb on themselves ๐ฅฐโ faye (@faye) 1629676014.0
@PalmerReport The Proud Boys - right before the smoke bomb https://t.co/x4TgVe48fJโ Southern Belle (@Southern Belle) 1629672301.0
@PalmerReport https://t.co/Wxb1yuG5ecโ billystringsphan (@billystringsphan) 1629671697.0
@PalmerReport They are not exactly the brightest bunch.โ โฎ๏ธ AMS ๐ท๐๐๐ฅ๐บ๐ธ (@โฎ๏ธ AMS ๐ท๐๐๐ฅ๐บ๐ธ) 1629671806.0
Lol oh Lordy you canโt make this sht up. https://t.co/RZwA6XD8gVโ MaDukes ๐บ๐ธ (@MaDukes ๐บ๐ธ) 1629674336.0
@PalmerReport @AngelaBelcamino We have an education problem in this country.โ G.L.Goben (@G.L.Goben) 1629672528.0
The location for the temporary stage at Kmart received honorable mention.
@PalmerReport Good grief! It's a Kmart. Did they think it was a KKKmart? #SeditionHasConsequencesโ K Mott (@K Mott) 1629672377.0
@PalmerReport Abandoned Kmart, Toys R Us.. these guys are the Spirit Halloween of bad political movements.โ Gary T. Burnaska (@Gary T. Burnaska) 1629672977.0
@PalmerReport Wow, it canโt get any worse than K-Mart๐๐คฃ Whatโs the โblue lightโ special today๐ค smoke bombs๐๐คฃโ Jeff - Palmer Report Reader (@Jeff - Palmer Report Reader) 1629685974.0
Maybe they're just setting up a Halloween USA https://t.co/eyxtqZ7swLโ ๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (@๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐) 1629675639.0
@PalmerReport They should have just gone to the Four Seasons https://t.co/RjcfmiOjfvโ Lizakaya ๐พ (@Lizakaya ๐พ) 1629673250.0
Local reporter Zane Sparling posted a tweet thread of videos capturing the anti-fascist protesters fighting back against the Proud Boys as they ran along 122nd Avenue.
Major clash between Proud Boys and Antifa happening now on 122nd in Portland Pepper spray and airsoft deployed, fโฆ https://t.co/B9YWU6XmV6โ Zane Sparling (@Zane Sparling) 1629673979.0
Journalists covering the melee were sprayed with chemicals and paintโinjuring one local freelance photographer who had to seek medical treatment.
Journalist @MaranieRae has been injured, receiving treatment from medics now during street clashes between Proud Boโฆ https://t.co/fU94fQ45W8โ Zane Sparling (@Zane Sparling) 1629674277.0
Glass smashed, tires slashed after clash between Antifa and Proud Boys near local high school https://t.co/yEpyFm0mnfโ Zane Sparling (@Zane Sparling) 1629675232.0
Eric Ward, the executive director of the Western States Centerโa nationwide organization to promote democracy and freedom from fearโcalled Sunday's unrest, "deeply disturbing."
Ward issued a written statement that read in part:
"The idea that Portland, or any city, can single-handedly defeat white nationalism is a fallacy. This incident needs to be a wake-up call for elected leaders at every level."
He added:
"This is a national problem that demands national resources. Anti-democratic violence is a threat that strikes at the heart of who we are as a country. It's time to act like it."