The brothers’ polarized political stances conveniently bolster the other's public personas. In short - John’s brother, James, is the co-founder of a pro-Trump org called “Civilized Awakening,” and has strong ties to Proud Boys - even having spoken at a Proud Boy rally.
The group also pointed to Sullivan’s brother, a known Trump supporter, as yet another indication of his suspicious motives. In an extensive Twitter thread from November of 2020, Rebellion Baby, a left-wing activist group, asserted that Sullivan engaged in “alarming behaviors including grifting/profiteering, self-promotion/clout chasing, sabotage of community actions, threats of violence, and - maybe most disturbingly - ties to the far-right.” But I definitely believe Black Lives Matter.”īut despite his support for left-wing causes, Sullivan has reportedly been kicked out of numerous activist communities for his behavior. “I was worried about people recognizing me and thinking that I was Antifa or, like, BLM or whatever,” Sullivan said. “The entire time they’re yelling, ‘F*ck Antifa! F*ck, BLM.’ I’m not saying I’m antifa, by any means. In an interview with Rolling Stone prior to his arrest, Sullivan denied being affiliated with antifa but admitted that he had made an attempt to blend in with the crowd over fears that he would be targeted. Sullivan claims that his intention at the Capitol was to merely document the historic event as a journalist, but his own footage, uploaded to YouTube, clearly shows him egging on the siege. Sullivan is the founder of Insurgence USA, an activist group focused on “racial justice and police reform.” Referring to himself online as “Activist John,” Sullivan has been seen over the past few years at a range of protests, including those spearheaded by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. The shocking violence at the Capitol quickly led conservatives to blame “antifa,” a term that refers to a leaderless collective of left-wing, antifascist activists.Ĭountless rioters were falsely accused by Trump’s conspiratorial base of having ties to antifa, including the now-infamous man known as the “ Q Shaman.”īut is Sullivan the first to actually have ties to Antifa? Sullivan stormed the Capitol alongside supporters of President Donald Trump and filmed the fateful moment when QAnon follower Ashli Babbitt was shot and killed by police. John Sullivan, a 26-year-old self-described racial justice activist, was charged this week with civil disorder, violent entry or disorderly conduct, and entering a restricted building or grounds.
A man recently arrested for his involvement at the Capitol siege is at the center of fierce debate online over whether left-wing activists were involved as well.