Both the Proud Boys and their Antifa antagonists got roughly what they wanted in their little rumbles Friday night. Happily, it looks like the NYPD is giving both sides what they deserve — by arresting the goons.
Left and right, these idiots get a thrill out of imagining the political apocalypse is nigh, and setting out to fight against the supposed forces of darkness. They’re welcome to meet for battle off in a remote field somewhere, but not on the streets of New York.
Police have already arrested several malefactors and are looking for more. The NYPD did its job all night long — preventing violence around the speech by Boy chief Gavin McInnes and moving swiftly afterward when scattered fights broke out a few blocks away.
No, cops weren’t on the scene as some righty idiots beat into some outnumbered lefty ones — but they pulled up soon enough, and the goons on both sides scattered. Police similarly showed up at another scuffle where the Antifas had the upper hand. Between witness identifications and videos of the incidents, the NYPD should be able to arrest most of those responsible.
For the record: It was beyond questionable for a few members of the Manhattan Republican Club to invite McInnes to perform there in the first place. Indulging this fringe figure is just an embarrassment.
But the speech — and some silly show with a plastic “samurai sword” — was no threat to anyone’s safety, and no justification for vandalizing the club the night before, or for the Antifa threats of actual violence.
And shame on Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Speaker Corey Johnson and others for rushing into high-drama mode. If the NYPD needs help from the State Police or the FBI, it’ll call them. There’s no reason for the resignation of state GOP Chairman Ed Cox or anyone else who had nothing to do with the event.
This wasn’t real political unrest, just farce.
