Mike Dunn
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Mike Dunn | |
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Mike_dunn.jpg | |
Born | 1999 or 2000 (age 24–25)[1] |
🏳️ Nationality | American |
💼 Occupation | Political Activism |
Known for | |
🏛️ Political party | Libertarian Party |
Kenneth "Mike" Dunn (born 1999/2000)[1] is an American political activist. He is affiliated with anti-governmental extremist boogaloo movement and is considered the public face of the largely leaderless movement. Dunn gained widespread attention in late 2019 and 2020 for organizing armed protests and marches in Richmond, Virginia, as well as for his willingness to do interviews and be in documentaries with media sources such as Vice Media,[2], RT (TV network)[3], and ReasonTV[4] concerning the relatively secretive movement, along with being a continual proponent of armed revolution.
Dunn is a leader of the private militia group Virginia Knights Militia, a statewide militia in the state of Virginia.[5]
Personal life[edit]
Dunn was born in 2000 in Virginia. He joined the military at the age of 17, and stayed until the age of 19 when he was honorably discharged because of medical reasons. His involvement in the boogaloo movement can traced back to the Shooting of Duncan Lemp, whom Dunn had an friendship with. Lemp can also be traced as the reason for his involvement in the boogaloo movement, as Lemp was involved in various militia groups.[4][6]
Dunn has been banned from various social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.[citation needed]
Involvement with the media involving the Boogaloo Movement[edit]
Dunn has been described as a "visible face in a mostly faceless movement" by media sources when concerning the boogaloo movement[4] by media sources such as ReasonTV and "one of the most prominent of the boogaloo bois"[3] by sources such as RT (TV network). As the movement is largely leaderless he is often cited as a source in a largely faceless movement. His involvement with the Vice Media documentary "Fringe Nation" and "making of the boogaloo boi" also have cemented as a representative for the movement.
Political positions[edit]
The boogaloo movement is generally described as militant and anti-governmental with far-right factions. Dunn's has stated his reasons for forming various militia groups, saying "I wanted to form a group of armed citizens that wanted to defend the Constitution of the United States, while at the same time helping educate individuals on firearms and weapons rights"[2]. He has collaborated with left-wing groups in the past, such as BLM, to promote the second amendment.[7]
In the 2020 United States presidential election, Dunn supported Libertarian candidate Jo Jorgensen.[citation needed]
Unlike some factions of the boogaloo movement who hold white supremacist views, Dunn has made an effort to distance himself from white supremacy. On July 4, 2020, Dunn and his militia group, along with various other groups, interrupted a white supremacist meeting with chants of "White supremacy sucks! White supremacy sucks!"[8] However, these moves have been criticized by the Anti-Defamation League as a recruiting tool.[9]
Armed marches[edit]
On July 4th, 2020, Dunn led a contingency of boogaloo bois to protest in Richmond, Virginia, gaining further national recognition. In August, 2020, Dunn gained even more widespread awareness when he and his militia marched in Richmond to protest a special legislative session, and in opposition to the mayor of Richmond, Levar Stoney's, anti-gun stance.[10] This march was reported by news sources such as RT (TV network) and News2Share. The protest resulted in no arrests or major incidents.[citation needed]
References[edit]
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dujardin, Peter. "Police chief defends accommodations, beverage trade, with armed group at gun rally". Daily Press. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Owens, Tess (6 August 2020). "The Making of a Boogaloo Boi". Vice Media. Unknown parameter
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ignored (help) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 Documentary, RT (2 November 2020). "Antifa, BLM, Boogaloo bois: why armed protesters are preparing for civil war in America". RT (TV network). Unknown parameter
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ignored (help) - ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Weissmueller., Zach (16 October 2020). "The Complicated Truth About the Boogaloo Movement". ReasonTV. Unknown parameter
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ignored (help) - ↑ Ayers, Caleb. "Amid push for gun control laws in general assembly dozens rally to join militia". godanriver.com. Unknown parameter
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ignored (help) - ↑ CBS, Baltimore (23 October 2020). "23 October 2020". CBS. Unknown parameter
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ignored (help) - ↑ New2Share (17 August 2020). "Armed 2A rally unites BLM, Libertarians, Black Panthers, and Boogaloo Boys in Richmond". News2Share. Unknown parameter
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ignored (help) - ↑ Allam, Hannah (6 July 2020). "An Uneasy July 4th In Richmond, Va., As Armed Groups Gather Warily". NPR. Unknown parameter
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ignored (help) - ↑ ADL. "The Boogaloo Movement". ADL. Unknown parameter
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ignored (help) - ↑ New2Share (18 August 2020). "Virginia Militia marches against gun control during Special Legislative Session in Richmond".