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{{merge to|Protests against the Iraq War|discuss=Talk:Protest Warrior#Proposal_to_merge_Protest_Warrior_into_Protests_Against_the_Iraq_War|date=October 2024}}
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{{short description|American political activist group}}
'''Protest Warrior''' refers to both a ] ] ] ] group, and its ] forums. (offline since Sept. 13, 2006) It is an international organization with mostly ] members; its main focus is on the ] and ]. The group was formed in 2003 by '''Alan Lipton''' and ] in ]. Its slogan is "Fighting the left... doing it right".
{{Citation style|date=March 2012}}
{{use mdy dates|date=February 2020}}
'''Protest Warrior''' was a conservative ] ] group. It was formed in 2003 by Alan Lipton and Kfir Alfia in ]. The group is primarily known for organizing counter-protests in favor of the ]. Its slogan is "Fighting the left...doing it right".<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909150934/http://www.protestwarrior.com/ |date=September 9, 2009 }}, Protest Warrior</ref> As of 2015, it was inactive.


==Motivation== ==History==
In February 2003, Alfia was working as a computer chip designer in ] when he reunited with Alan Lipton, a childhood friend, and crashed an ] ] in San Francisco on February 16, 2003.<ref> Warriors of the Right Take to the Streets</ref>
Protest Warrior believes that ] constitute a threat to the future of ] and ], and would inevitably result in ] ]s. Seeing "]s" (in the U.S. usage of the term) as "morally and politically bankrupt" and having a monopoly of media attention, Protest Warrior believes that voices of the left "are heard disproportionately, demoralizing our troops, and emboldening dictators around the world."


The two carried their own signs. Alfia's sign showed a woman in a ] tied to a pole with a leash around her neck, and was captioned "Protect Islamic Property Rights Against Western Imperialism. Say No To War!" Lipton's sign said, "Saddam Only Kills His Own People. It's None Of Our Business." ] ] host ] covered their counter-protest on his website and complimented the group on its work.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Washington Times|first=Chris|last=Jolma|date=November 18, 2003|title=Protest Warriors New Movement}}</ref>
Generally accepted ideas {{citation needed}} in the Protest Warrior community include support for the ] and ], and opposition to ] as dangerous, threatening, oppressive. A newsletter on the site published by Alan and Kfir expressed objection to ] itself, rather than fundamentalists in particular:


==Motivation==
:"What's becoming clear is how the religion of Islam is addicted to war and mayhem. Not a ] minority, not a rogue sect, but its very essence is about submission and sacrifice and proving your worth by worshiping death in this life to gain a paradise of orgies and drunkenness. Their entire history is of warfare, and any accomplishments of their so-called Golden Age has been proven to be merely parasitic off the cultures they've conquered and reduced to ] servitude. That every country under sharia is corrupt, belligerent, desolate and barbaric obviously gives them no pause, except to constantly drive them into further psychotic rage as they refuse to ever accept any responsibility for their conditions. They are akin to the powers in Orwell's 1984; there must always be an enemy. It's no surprise that women are treated like property in these countries as that's the only way Muslim men can feed their egos, to dominate others rather than ever actually produce something."
Seeing ] as "morally and politically bankrupt," and as having a monopoly of media attention, Protest Warrior believes that the voices of the "left" are "heard disproportionately, demoralizing our troops and emboldening dictators around the world."<ref> Protest Warrior: Mission Statement</ref>


== Method ==
Most members also express opposition to ] and current immigration proposals of the ], support for free enterprise and fiscally conservative economics, general support and respect for ] institutions as the "defenders of freedom", and support for ]. Finally there is a vocal group that defends the right of the southern states to secede at the start of the American Civil War and also supports at least in speech the dissolution of the United States of America to preserve true liberty. <!-- (the extent for this may vary) //"may vary" is an arbitrary qualifier.-->
The group's primary method of ] is crashing ] events, chiefly ] marches and counter-demonstrating within their ranks. For instance, Protest Warriors attended rallies against ], ], ], and ] ], displaying support for these entities. When doing so, the Protest Warriors carry large signs often designed to appear similar to those held by the participants, enabling them to mingle until observers are close enough to read their signs' ].

==Methodology==

The group's primary method of ] is crashing ] events, chiefly ] marches, and counter-demonstrating within their ranks. For instance, Protest Warriors have attended rallies against ], ], ], and ] ], displaying support for these causes. When doing so, the Protest Warriors carry large signs often designed to appear similar to those held by the participants of the event they are ], enabling them to mingle until observers are close enough to read their signs' ] ].

<b>Examples of Protest Warrior Signs:</b>

* "Saddam only kills his own people. It's none of our business!"
* "Except for ending slavery, Fascism, Nazism and Communism, war has never solved anything!"
* "Islam - Religion of Peace" accompanied with pictures of (presumably) Muslim children holding weapons and the ].
* "Black Children Belong in Black Schools - Say ''No'' To Vouchers"

After large operations, videos are posted documenting the events. The videos include confrontations with other protesters and the reactions of those protesters. Protest Warriors claim that these videos demonstrate that liberals' "true feelings and agendas...have nothing to with hating war, and everything to do with hating America."

==Reactions==
] ] host ] featured a Protest Warrior action in ] on his website and complimented the group on its work.

==Criticism==
Protest Warrior has been a target of criticism on many ] web sites and forums such as ]. Very few major news organizations have run stories on Protest Warrior, critical or otherwise.


==Website== ==Website==
<!-- Unsourced image removed: ] -->
The group maintains a website as an organizing and information hub. It also acts as a source for the many slogans and signs presented by Protest Warriors at protests, as well as offering a sign creation tutorial to registered members. The website also includes an online shop. The website also featured numerous forums, but they were shut down without explanation <ref> </ref> on September 13, 2006, and currently return a ] error.


The website has been the target of various attempts at politically motivated ] in the course of its existence. Most notably, in January, 2005 the site was hacked by ] native ], affiliated with the website ], to steal credit card numbers and shut down the web server. Hammond was indicted in May, 2006, <!-- Non RS V Blog ref removed:<ref name="Brain Terminal">{{cite web
<!-- Unsourced image removed: ] -->
| url = http://brain-terminal.com/posts/2006/05/31/indictment-in-protestwarrior-hack-case
The group maintains a ] as an organizing and information hub. It also acts as a source for the many slogans and signs presented by Protest Warriors at protests, as well as offering a sign creation tutorial to registered members. A shop is also run from the website.
| title = Brain Terminal

| access-date = 2006-12-16
'The command and control center is where Protest Warrior plans and coordinates their nationwide strike against the Left'
}}</ref>--> and sentenced to two years in prison on December 7, 2006.<ref name="Chicago Tribune">{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0612080286dec08,1,689768.story?coll=chi-newslocalchicago-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true |title=Chicago Tribune |website=] |access-date=2006-12-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106142519/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0612080286dec08,1,689768.story?coll=chi-newslocalchicago-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true |archive-date=January 6, 2007 }}</ref>

<B> Website Traffic Statistics</B>

The Traffic Rank, Reach and Page View statistics of the Protest Warrior website, as measured by ] Traffic Rankings can be found here.

<B> Deletion of Forums</B>

On ], ], all of Protest Warrior's numerous website forums were deleted and replaced by the announcement: "The ProtestWarrior forum will be down until further notice." No explanation was given for these actions.


==Past operations== ==Past operations==
Local and National chapters of Protest Warrior have carried out operations in the ] and abroad. Local and National chapters of Protest Warrior have carried out operations in the ] and abroad. Examples of past Protest Warrior operations include:
Examples of past Protest Warrior operations include:


*On ], ], Protest Warrior National<B> 'Operation Hail to the Chief'</B> drew thirteen Protest Warriors to Washington D.C. to oppose those protesting the second inauguration of President ]. *On January 20, 2005, "Operation Hail to the Chief" drew thirteen Protest Warriors to Washington D.C. to oppose ] of President ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24488-2005Jan20.html |title=Protesting the Protesters |newspaper=Washington Post |date=2005-01-20 }}</ref>
*During the 2004 Republican National Convention, a group of Protest Warriors staged a counterprotest, "Operation Liberty Rising".<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610004632/http://www.mtv.com/chooseorlose/headlines/news.jhtml?id=1490667 |title=MTV.com - Choose or Lose - Headlines |website=] |archive-date=2007-06-10 |url=http://www.mtv.com/chooseorlose/headlines/news.jhtml?id=1490667 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/conservatives-to-protest-gop-convention-protests |title=FOXNews.com - Conservatives to Protest GOP Convention Protests - You Decide 2004 |website=] |access-date=October 28, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523100830/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,126148,00.html |archive-date=May 23, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*On August 27, 2005, a group of three Protest Warriors led by co-founder Kfir Alfia was the target of animosity at a conservative counter-] rally in ]. Despite the Protest Warriors' assurances that they were on the same side, the conservative protesters repeatedly shouted at them, destroyed the Protest Warrior signs, and forced the Protest Warriors to leave the rally, mistaking them for ] protesters.<ref> {{dead link|date=February 2020}}</ref>{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
*During the ] in Washington D.C., Protest Warrior, along with ], ] and ] counter-protested those opposed to the war, and also demonstrated in support of the war and troops.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/24/AR2005092400852_2.html |title=Antiwar Protests Commence in Washington |newspaper=Washington Post }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/24/AR2005092401518.html |title=Smaller but Spirited Crowd Protests Antiwar March |newspaper=Washington Post }}</ref>


==Current status, future campaigns ==
*During the ] Republican National Convention, Protest Warrior staged <B>'Operation Liberty Rising'</B> in opposition to those protesting the convention. This event received coverage from the media both before and after it occurred.
The current status of Protest Warrior is unknown:


* "ProtestWarrior, LLC", formed as a ] in Texas in 2003, is currently listed by the state as "Not In Good Standing",<ref name="texas_comptroller1">{{cite web|url=http://ecpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/servlet/cpa.app.coa.CoaGetTp?Pg=tpid&Search_Nm=ProtestWarrior%20&Button=search&Search_ID=13836848054 |title=Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts |access-date=2006-11-17 }} {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> meaning that Protest Warrior has failed to file its annual paperwork and pay due taxes/fees.<ref name="texas_comptroller2">{{cite web|url=http://www.cpa.state.tx.us/taxinfo/audit/audproc/1gp_r2.htm |title=Franchise Tax Determination of Good Standing |access-date=2006-11-17 }} {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
*On ], ], a group of three Protest Warriors led by co-founder ] was the target of animosity at a conservative counter-] rally in ]. Despite the Protest Warriors' assurances that they were on the same side, the conservative protesters repeatedly shouted at them, destroyed the Protest Warrior signs, and forced the Protest Warriors to leave the rally, mistaking them for ] protestors.
* The main discussion forums for PW closed in September 2006. The public forums were reopened in August 2007 and then subsequently went offline again sometime in 2008.
* On February 21, 2007 a blog was started, announcing a "Protest Warrior 2.0" initiative aimed at revitalizing the organization.<ref name="pw_blog">{{cite web
| url = http://protestwarrior.blogspot.com/2007/02/protestwarrior-20-has-started.html
| title = Protest Warrior Blog
| date = February 21, 2007
| access-date = 2009-09-14
}}</ref> Seven articles were written over the span of seven months, with the last entry being dated August 15, 2007.
* On February 19, 2009 the website was offline again and then returned three months later. The website is currently accessible, but the discussion forums, donation solicitation page, and "HQ" sections are either non-functional or have been entirely removed (HTTP Error 404). The latest "News & Updates" section announces a book publication in June, 2007.<ref name="pw_website">{{cite web
|url = http://www.protestwarrior.com
|title = Protest Warrior Website
|access-date = 2009-09-14
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090909150934/http://www.protestwarrior.com/
|archive-date = 2009-09-09
}}</ref>


==See also==
*During the in Washington D.C., Protest Warrior, along with ], ] and ] counter-protested those opposed to the war, and also demonstrated in support of the war and troops.
* ]


==References==
==Future campaigns ==
{{Reflist}}
Kfir, the founder of Protest Warrior, was quoted: "We're going to be protesting ] more and more, and we'll probably get involved in the defense of marriage, too." in an interview he gave to the ] proponent Lee Duigon from the ] ].

Kfir claimed, on the Protest Warrior forum, almost two years after the article was published, that he had been misquoted. {{citeneeded}}

==See also==
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


==External links== ==External links==
* *
* * '']'', 2004-08-13
* * '']'', 2004-08-24
* * , '']'', 2005-01-20
* Mar 02, 2005
*
*
*
*
*

]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]


]
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Latest revision as of 09:05, 27 October 2024

It has been suggested that this article be merged into Protests against the Iraq War. (Discuss) Proposed since October 2024.
American political activist group
This article has an unclear citation style. The references used may be made clearer with a different or consistent style of citation and footnoting. (March 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Protest Warrior was a conservative political activist group. It was formed in 2003 by Alan Lipton and Kfir Alfia in Austin, Texas. The group is primarily known for organizing counter-protests in favor of the Iraq war. Its slogan is "Fighting the left...doing it right". As of 2015, it was inactive.

History

In February 2003, Alfia was working as a computer chip designer in San Francisco when he reunited with Alan Lipton, a childhood friend, and crashed an anti-war protest in San Francisco on February 16, 2003.

The two carried their own signs. Alfia's sign showed a woman in a burqa tied to a pole with a leash around her neck, and was captioned "Protect Islamic Property Rights Against Western Imperialism. Say No To War!" Lipton's sign said, "Saddam Only Kills His Own People. It's None Of Our Business." Conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh covered their counter-protest on his website and complimented the group on its work.

Motivation

Seeing liberals as "morally and politically bankrupt," and as having a monopoly of media attention, Protest Warrior believes that the voices of the "left" are "heard disproportionately, demoralizing our troops and emboldening dictators around the world."

Method

The group's primary method of activism is crashing liberal events, chiefly anti-war protest marches and counter-demonstrating within their ranks. For instance, Protest Warriors attended rallies against Halliburton, Caterpillar Inc., Israel, and U.S. President George W. Bush, displaying support for these entities. When doing so, the Protest Warriors carry large signs often designed to appear similar to those held by the participants, enabling them to mingle until observers are close enough to read their signs' fine-print.

Website

The group maintains a website as an organizing and information hub. It also acts as a source for the many slogans and signs presented by Protest Warriors at protests, as well as offering a sign creation tutorial to registered members. The website also includes an online shop. The website also featured numerous forums, but they were shut down without explanation on September 13, 2006, and currently return a HTTP 404 error.

The website has been the target of various attempts at politically motivated hacking in the course of its existence. Most notably, in January, 2005 the site was hacked by Chicago native Jeremy Hammond, affiliated with the website HackThisSite.org, to steal credit card numbers and shut down the web server. Hammond was indicted in May, 2006, and sentenced to two years in prison on December 7, 2006.

Past operations

Local and National chapters of Protest Warrior have carried out operations in the United States and abroad. Examples of past Protest Warrior operations include:

  • On January 20, 2005, "Operation Hail to the Chief" drew thirteen Protest Warriors to Washington D.C. to oppose those protesting the second inauguration of President George W. Bush.
  • During the 2004 Republican National Convention, a group of Protest Warriors staged a counterprotest, "Operation Liberty Rising".
  • On August 27, 2005, a group of three Protest Warriors led by co-founder Kfir Alfia was the target of animosity at a conservative counter-Cindy Sheehan rally in Crawford, Texas. Despite the Protest Warriors' assurances that they were on the same side, the conservative protesters repeatedly shouted at them, destroyed the Protest Warrior signs, and forced the Protest Warriors to leave the rally, mistaking them for anti-war protesters.
  • During the Sept. 24, 2005 Anti-War Protests in Washington D.C., Protest Warrior, along with Move America Forward, RightMarch and Free Republic counter-protested those opposed to the war, and also demonstrated in support of the war and troops.

Current status, future campaigns

The current status of Protest Warrior is unknown:

  • "ProtestWarrior, LLC", formed as a limited liability company in Texas in 2003, is currently listed by the state as "Not In Good Standing", meaning that Protest Warrior has failed to file its annual paperwork and pay due taxes/fees.
  • The main discussion forums for PW closed in September 2006. The public forums were reopened in August 2007 and then subsequently went offline again sometime in 2008.
  • On February 21, 2007 a blog was started, announcing a "Protest Warrior 2.0" initiative aimed at revitalizing the organization. Seven articles were written over the span of seven months, with the last entry being dated August 15, 2007.
  • On February 19, 2009 the website was offline again and then returned three months later. The website is currently accessible, but the discussion forums, donation solicitation page, and "HQ" sections are either non-functional or have been entirely removed (HTTP Error 404). The latest "News & Updates" section announces a book publication in June, 2007.

See also

References

  1. Protest Warrior Archived September 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Protest Warrior
  2. New York Times, Alan Feuer, September 3rd, 2004 Warriors of the Right Take to the Streets
  3. Jolma, Chris (November 18, 2003). "Protest Warriors New Movement". Washington Times.
  4. Protest Warrior Protest Warrior: Mission Statement
  6. "Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on January 6, 2007. Retrieved December 16, 2006.
  7. "Protesting the Protesters". Washington Post. January 20, 2005.
  8. "MTV.com - Choose or Lose - Headlines". MTV. Archived from the original on June 10, 2007.
  9. "FOXNews.com - Conservatives to Protest GOP Convention Protests - You Decide 2004". Fox News. Archived from the original on May 23, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2006.
  11. "Antiwar Protests Commence in Washington". Washington Post.
  12. "Smaller but Spirited Crowd Protests Antiwar March". Washington Post.
  13. "Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts". Retrieved November 17, 2006.
  14. "Franchise Tax Determination of Good Standing". Retrieved November 17, 2006.
  15. "Protest Warrior Blog". February 21, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  16. "Protest Warrior Website". Archived from the original on September 9, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009.

External links

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