Two members of the right-wing Proud Boys organization were sentenced to prison by a Manhattan judge Tuesday for pummeling leftist Antifa members during a street fight on the Upper East Side last year.
The fracas near the Metropolitan Republican Club followed a speech by Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes, and happened as group members were leaving the venue and were confronted by protesters who included Antifa members.
During the violent confrontation, John Kinsman, 40, and Maxwell Hare, 27, repeatedly punched, kicked and stomped on outnumbered and undersize Antifa members. Justice Mark Dwyer gave Hare and Kinsman terms that were six months above the minimum for the skirmish, which was caught on camera.
Both defendants faced as much as 15 years. They were convicted last August of attempted gang assault, attempted assault and riot stemming from the Oct. 12, 2018, dustup.
During the Manhattan Supreme Court sentencing the men expressed regret for their conduct last year. “I’m sorry about the whole mess. I regret the entire incident,” said Kinsman, who is married with three children. “I made a mistake.”
Hare told the judge, “I made a mistake that night. I made quick decisions. I’m sorry.”
They both testified at trial that they acted in self-defense.
The fight began shortly after McInnes’ speech ended and the Proud Boys exited the venue, as 60 protesters, including members of Antifa, massed behind barricades and yelled at them.To avoid a confrontation, cops directed the Proud Boys west on 83rd Street, then south on Park Avenue, while they guided their opponents in the other direction.
As the Proud Boys neared East 82nd Street, they saw six suspected Antifa protesters, clad in black, heading toward them.
Instead of walking away, the defendants and their pals sprinted more than 100 feet toward their foes, instigating the fight, authorities said.
