John Turano Explained

John Turano
Occupation:Alt-right activist
Known For:Brawling Antifa activist

John Turano, also known as Based Spartan, has been described as an "icon of the alt-right 'Patriot' movement, who was known for brawling with Antifa protesters in the early days of the Trump administration in 2017.[1] [2] [3] In 2018, Turano briefly left the far right movement.[1] [2] [3]

Turano was among a group of far right activists who attacked the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, DC on December 12, 2020.[4]

Turano was involved in a violent protest in Los Angeles on July 17, 2021 in connection with the Wi Spa controversy.[5]

In June, 2023, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Neal E. Kravitz imposed civil penalties of over $1 million on Turano and three members of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, Joe Biggs and Jeremy Bertino in connection with the 2020 attack on the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church. Kravitz said that the four men had engaged in "hateful and overtly racist conduct"[4]

Personal life

Turano lives in Los Angeles, as of 2018.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Rise and Fall of Based Spartan. www.vice.com. 28 March 2018. 19 November 2020. 16 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201116203709/https://www.vice.com/en/article/9kgax8/the-rise-and-fall-of-based-spartan. live.
  2. News: Shepherd . Katie . A Leading Figure at Portland's Alt-Right Protests Defects, Says Dressing as a Spartan Warrior to Fight Antifa Was "a Horrible Mistake" . November 19, 2020 . . July 30, 2017 . November 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112013841/https://www.wweek.com/2017/07/30/a-leading-figure-at-portlands-alt-right-protests-defects-says-dressing-as-a-spartan-warrior-to-fight-antifa-was-a-horrible-mistake/ . live .
  3. Web site: Alt-right mascot regrets everything, says he made a "horrible mistake". Jack. Smith IV. Mic. 31 July 2017. 19 November 2020. 12 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030037/https://www.mic.com/articles/183101/alt-right-mascot-regrets-everything-says-he-made-a-horrible-mistake. live.
  4. News: Campbell . Josh . Proud Boys members ordered to pay over $1 million in 'hateful and overtly racist' church destruction civil suit . . July 1, 2023 . July 1, 2023 . July 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230701212447/https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/01/politics/proud-boys-fined-ame-church-destruction/index.html . live .
  5. News: Owen . Tess . Proud Boy Associates, Antifascists, and Cops Violently Clashed Over an LA Spa's Trans Policy: Dozens were arrested as police fired less-lethal rounds at activists after the far right turned the Wi Spa in Koreatown into a lightning rod for anti-trans extremism. . . July 19, 2021 . July 1, 2023 . July 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230701225825/https://www.vice.com/en/article/4av7jw/proud-boy-associates-antifascists-and-cops-violently-clashed-over-an-la-spas-trans-policy . live .