Boogaloo movement

Boogaloo movement
Name	Boogaloo movement
Founding location	United States
Founded	2010s
Ideology	Anti-government, libertarian, accelerationist
Position	Far-right

Boogaloo movement. The Boogaloo movement is a decentralized, anti-government extremist movement in the United States. Its adherents, often called "Boogaloo Bois," anticipate and seek to instigate a second American Civil War or societal collapse. The movement is primarily active online, particularly on platforms like Facebook and Reddit, but its members have been linked to real-world violence and protests.

Origins and etymology

The term "boogaloo" is derived from the 1984 breakdancing film Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, which became an internet meme used to humorously suggest a sequel to any event. Within online gun rights and libertarian circles, it was repurposed as a coded reference to a second civil war, often stylized as "the boogaloo" or "big igloo." The movement began coalescing in the late 2010s on forums like 4chan and specific Facebook groups, where users shared tactical gear and discussed anti-government ideology. The use of Hawaiian shirts as an informal uniform emerged from these online spaces, intended to signal affiliation while providing camouflage for body armor.

Ideology and goals

The movement's ideology is a syncretic blend of libertarianism, accelerationism, and militia movement sentiments. Core beliefs include strong opposition to gun control, a deep-seated distrust of the federal government and institutions like the FBI and ATF, and the belief that a violent conflict is inevitable. While some adherents express libertarian views focused on individual liberty, the movement has been heavily influenced by white supremacist and neo-Nazi ideologies, with many members advocating for race war. A primary goal is the acceleration of societal collapse to trigger this conflict, which they believe would lead to the dissolution of the United States government.

Activities and tactics

Activities range from online organizing and radicalization to real-world actions. Members frequently appear at protests, including those against COVID-19 lockdowns and Black Lives Matter demonstrations, often armed and wearing their signature Hawaiian shirts. These appearances are intended to confront law enforcement, recruit, and incite violence. The movement has been linked to several plots and acts of violence, including an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the killing of a Federal Protective Service officer in Oakland, California. Tactics include the use of encrypted messaging apps like Telegram for coordination and the creation of 3D printed guns.

Associated groups and individuals

The movement is decentralized, consisting of loosely affiliated local cells and networks. Notable associated groups include the NFAC, a Black nationalist militia with which some Boogaloo adherents briefly sought an alliance, and various regional "militias." Key individuals linked to the movement include Steven Carrillo, an Air Force sergeant charged with the Oakland murder, and Michael Robert Solomon, involved in the Whitmer kidnapping plot. Many followers are also active in older extremist milieus like the Three Percenters and the Oath Keepers.

Law enforcement and government response

Federal agencies have classified the movement as a domestic terrorism threat. The Department of Justice and FBI have pursued numerous investigations, resulting in arrests and charges for crimes including conspiracy, murder, and attempted murder. In 2020, the FBI conducted raids targeting Boogaloo members across multiple states. Social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, have taken action by removing hundreds of accounts and groups associated with the movement for violating policies against violent extremism.

Public perception and media coverage

Initial media coverage often focused on the absurdist, meme-based origins of the movement, but reporting shifted significantly following violent incidents, framing it as a serious domestic terror threat. Public perception is largely negative, viewing adherents as dangerous extremists. The movement's presence at racial justice protests sparked widespread concern about armed intimidation and stochastic terrorism. Analysts from groups like the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center have extensively documented its growth and ties to other far-right movements.

Category:Anti-government movements in the United States Category:Far-right politics in the United States Category:21st-century political movements