‘Straight Pride’ organisers revealed to have links to far-right and white nationalist groups

Group behind proposed rally is involved with notorious Resist Marxism group – a hub for far-right extremists

Mark Sahady leads a rally in Providence, Rhode Island (YouTube)

The organisers of a controversial “Straight Pride” rally proposed for Boston, Massachusetts are heavily linked with far-right movements and nationalist protests, it has emerged.

Plans for the parade were widely shared on social media this week, despite no date yet being set and no permit being granted by the city council.

The organiser – a newly formed group calling itself Super Happy Fun America – suggested the event would be a chance to celebrate being heterosexual.

It has already had to remove photos of Brad Pitt from its website after the actor, who had not given permission for his image to be used, threatened legal action.

Now questions have been raised over the past political activities of the trio of men behind the group, John Hugo, Mark Sahady and Chris Bartley.

Mr Sahady and Mr Bartley are both heavily associated with Resist Marxism – a loose ultra-conservative group found to have links to white supremacist organisations – while Mr Hugo ran, unsuccessfully, for congress in 2018 with an endorsement from the same group.

Mr Sahady is also reported to have organised the right-wing Free Speech Rally and Rally for the Republic, both in Boston, in the aftermath of the infamous Unite the Right march in Virginia in August 2017, during which a counter-protester was killed.

Attendees at both Mr Sahady’s events were vastly outnumbered by counter-protestors.

Another rally the software engineer led in Providence, Rhode Island attracted just a few dozen people – some wearing masks in an apparent bid to hide their identity.

He is also reported to have marched with members of far-right groups Patriot Prayer and Proud Boys in Portland, Oregon in June 2018 – an event which descended into such violence police in the city officially labelled it a riot.

And in January this year, he and other Resist Marxism associates led a counter-protest against the Boston Women’s March, which descended into a fracas, reports David Neiwert, author of Alt America: The Rise of the Radical Right in the Age of Trump and long-time observer of the US right.

Resist Marxism itself does not have members – its leaders organise events for anyone who wants to go along, allowing it to have become a nimble unofficial meeting hub for nationalists and white supremacists.

Speaking after news of the proposed Straight Pride rally went viral, the mayor of Boston Marty Walsh confirmed permission had not yet been granted for the parade but wrote on Twitter: “Permits to host a public event are granted based on operational feasibility, not based on values or endorsements of beliefs.

“The city of Boston cannot deny a permit based on an organisation’s values.”

But he added on Twitter: “Whatever outside groups may try do, our values won’t change.

“I invite each and every person to stand with us, and show that love will always prevail. Join us in celebration this Saturday for the @bostonpride Parade and in the fight for progress and equality for all.”

Mr Hugo, Mr Sahady and Mr Bartley did not immediately respond to request for comment from The Independent.