A North Carolina local project meant to help commuters has turned into a target for political friction. Members of the Democratic Socialists of America spent over a year crafting and installing colorful bus stop benches around Wilmington to give people a place to sit. That effort came to an abrupt end recently after the Proud Boys allegedly took two of the benches, and a local official ordered the removal of every remaining seat, HuffPost reports. The benches were not just functional. They featured messages like “Liberation for all!” and “No Rent for Slumlords” alongside art of flowers and animals. After the Proud Boys reportedly grabbed two of them, they took the furniture to a remote location in the woods. There, the group allegedly repainted the benches in their own black and yellow colors, adding slogans like “Socialism is Slavery.” One of the modified benches was briefly staged at a bus stop for a photo posted on the group’s Telegram channel, while the others now reportedly sit at a clubhouse in the Carolina swamp. The conflict escalated when Dane Scalise, the Republican vice chair of the county commissioners, intervened He wrote on X that the DSA had been placing unauthorized, non-compliant benches painted with political propaganda. He stated that he would not abide by lawlessness or vigilantism from anyone, adding that the benches would be removed and law and order restored. The city cleared the bus stops, leaving them empty. One Proud Boys member, who goes by the name Johnny Ringo, noted that if removing the benches stops what he calls socialist propaganda, it is a tradeoff he is willing to make. As democratic socialism gains political power, the Proud Boys are positioning it as the latest boogeyman — and see their pushback as a way to reassert their place in the American political landscape. pic.twitter.com/TW52w4xglc— HuffPost (@HuffPost) November 1, 2026 This bench incident is part of a broader, ongoing campaign by the Proud Boys to target the DSA. The group views the socialist organization as a major threat to the American way of life. This tension recently boiled over at a North Carolina library, where about 50 Proud Boys gathered to oppose a DSA meeting. The Proud Boys had reportedly scouted the location, creating a field order that included medical plans and communication channels. They allegedly leaked news of their attendance to ensure a crowd would gather. Inside the library, the interaction remained largely verbal. Some Proud Boys ate snacks provided for the meeting, while others attempted to film the speakers. DSA members used rainbow umbrellas to block the cameras. Outside, the situation felt more precarious. A woman who was not a member of the DSA followed a group of Proud Boys toward a parking garage. According to a member known as Beast Mode, there was a tense standoff, and he alleged that the woman appeared to imply she had a gun. No actual violence occurred, but it highlighted the volatility of these encounters. While the Proud Boys frame their actions as a necessary pushback, the DSA continues to focus on their community projects. In Winston-Salem, members recently gathered to restock a food pantry and maintain a Free Fridge. Khaet Grindell, a communications coordinator for the Piedmont Triad DSA, suggested that the Proud Boys seem more focused on the DSA than the other way around. She noted that the organization remains popular with voters, with many candidates running on platforms focused on healthcare and housing. For now, the bus stops in Wilmington remain empty, serving as a quiet reminder of the ongoing political divide.