The City of Socorro issued a warning this week about so-called “social media fighting rings” taking over local parks. But that broad label doesn’t sit right with a lot of people in the community, especially those who know exactly which page the city is referring to.
What RT Fades Actually Is
RT Fades isn’t a chaos-seeking fight club. It’s a growing boxing movement run by community members who are trying to steer people away from gun violence, not toward it. Their whole message is simple and direct: “Put your guns down and your gloves up.”
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And unlike the anonymous trouble the city seems to be picturing, this group has been using its momentum to give back. They’ve hosted community clothing drives, organized a toy drive for kids in need, and built a space where people can learn real skills with real supervision.
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Why the City’s Concerns Don’t Tell the Full Story
It’s understandable that Socorro doesn’t want unsanctioned athletic activities happening in public parks, especially ones involving any kind of physical contact. Cities set rules, and parks need structure. But framing RT Fades as unsafe or violent misses the reality of what’s actually happening. This isn’t about promoting hostility. For many participants, it’s about avoiding it. It’s a chance to choose gloves over guns, mentorship over retaliation, and discipline over the kind of split-second decisions that destroy lives.
The Positive Impact RT Fades Brings to the Community
RT Fades is offering something the community has been asking for: an alternative. A stepping stone toward better choices. A place where young people can redirect anger, stress, or aimlessness into something that doesn’t end with someone getting shot. On top of that, two adults agreeing to a consensual fist fight with no intense bodily injury is protected by the “Mutual Combat” law in Texas.
A Call for More Nuanced Conversation
So while the city’s concerns about safety are valid, the conversation deserves more nuance. Not every organized meetup is a threat. Not every boxing glove is a symbol of violence. And not every social media page that gains traction among the youth is encouraging chaos.
RT Fades has tapped into a real need, and they’re trying to meet it with structure, guidance, and community support. Instead of painting them as a danger, maybe the next step is finding a way to bring them into the fold so the positive work they’re doing can continue in the right spaces…