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Cole Allen, charged with being the gunman at the White House Correspondents Dinner, identified himself as part of “The Wide Awakes,” a progressive collective with roots that stretch back to Civil War-era abolitionists. Despite the serious allegations against Allen, the group is known for its commitment to nonviolence.
Originally formed during the 1860 presidential election, the Wide Awakes were a band of anti-slavery supporters backing Abraham Lincoln. These original members were recognized for their distinctive costumes and lively demonstrations, staging vibrant spectacles in New York and across the northern United States as the nation teetered on the brink of civil conflict.
In today’s context, The Wide Awakes have no formal ties to their historic predecessors. Revitalized in 2020 by a collective of artists, the modern incarnation aims to echo the spirit of the original group through creative expression. They employ similar strategies, crafting colorful costumes to wear during marches and advocacy events in urban settings.
Since its rebirth, the group has expanded into a loosely-knit coalition of individuals who bring a sense of style and playfulness to political gatherings. Their approach continues to capture attention, blending artistic flair with activism in a unique and engaging manner.
But the group has since grown, and is now a loosely organized collection of like-minded people who continue bringing style and a sense of fun to political events.
“We are infinite, disruptive, enlightened, visionary, accountable,” a Wide Awakes website reads. “We want the radical complexity of diversity. We believe creative liberation is a game and all of us can play now and forever.”
“We can emancipate ourselves without violence,” the website adds. “We don’t need to be told what to believe or how to engage, we just need to be inspired to question what’s there. Broadening perspective yields a safer world.”
And it seems anybody can join — the group invites anyone to put on their own events or create art in their name.
“Call on local DJs, Musicians, Speakers, Organizers, and Artists to plan a joyous community gathering,” are some of the suggested ways to participate listed on the group’s website.
It’s unclear if the group has any centralized organization anymore.
Exactly how Allen was affiliated with the group also remains unclear. Officials only revealed that he considered himself to be a member.
The shooting suspect participated in the nationwide anti-Trump “No Kings” marches in March, though it’s unknown if he did so with any affiliation to The Wide Awakes.
Allen’s sister also told investigators that he frequently espoused radical political ideas and talked about wanting to do “something” to fix the world.
He was also an avid user of Blue Sky — a liberal iteration of X — where he’d made more than 1,000 posts, many of which railed on President Trump and Republicans.
Allen also allegedly sent a rambling anti-Trump manifesto to his family about 10 minutes before he tried to storm into the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with a gun in Washington DC on Saturday night.
He was tackled to the ground before he could get into the ballroom, where Trump and numerous top White House officials were eating. A flurry of gunfire in the halls outside led to a rapid evacuation of the event.