Filed under: Action, Anarchist Movement, Anti-fascist, Featured, IGD, Police, Southeast
Cover Photo from Christopher Mathias
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On April 21st, the Nationalist Socialist Movement (NSM) along with the League of the South (LoS), Aryan Nations, and KKK groups, converges in Newnan, Georgia to hold their annual convention and to celebrate the birthday of Adolf Hitler. The NSM grew out of the American Nazi Party, and for decades has been known for dressing in “SS” style uniforms and carrying swastika banners and flags. In 2016, the NSM under the guidance of recently disgraced neo-Nazi leader Matthew Heimbach, dropped use of the swastika and instead moved to utilize a rune symbol also used by the Nazi party, in order to enter into the mainstream. Along with Heimbach and the recently defunct Traditionalist Worker Party, the NSM, Vanguard America, KKK factions, and League of the South formed the “Nationalist Front.”
Saturday, neo-Nazi + KKK groups are rallying to celebrate Adolf Hitler's birthday in #Newnan #Georgia. But community members, local groups, and crews of friends are standing up to these racist bullies. Here's everything you need to know about #NoNaziNewnan https://t.co/O6Ku3PSnkd pic.twitter.com/IPTCdoPIWz
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) April 18, 2018
Over the last decade, the NSM has been linked to a variety of acts of violence and murder. In 2011, NSM leader Jeff Hall was murdered by his 10 year old son, who told authorities that he was angry that Hall was abusing his mother and himself. In 2012, NSM leader J.T. Ready murdered his girlfriend and three others before turning the gun on himself. Also in 2012, two NSM members were arrested and accused of stockpiling weapons and planning to attack a Mexican consulate.
“Fascism has no place in this town,” said #Newnan resident Brad Strange who was on the square with wife Ashley and their three kids. pic.twitter.com/L3milth73E
— Chris Joyner (@cjoyner) April 21, 2018
In August of 2017, the NSM along with other groups, took part in the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, and participated in violent attacks and clashes. Months later, they also were present and took part in violent attacks in Shelbyville and Murfreesboro against local townspeople, including one young gentleman who was on his lunch break, and later, and interracial couple that was at a restaurant. Lastly, in 2018, an NSM member who attended Unite the Right was arrested on charges of terrorism for attempting to hijack an AMTRAK train in order to carry out acts of murder. Other groups joining the NSM in Newnan also have an extensive history of murder, attempted bombings, and violent activities.
Much as in lead up to #Charlottesville rally, neo-Nazis ahead of #Newnan protest encourage white supremacists to engage in violence. Leaders telling attendees to kill counter-protesters with "NO WARNING SHOTS" and to bring concealed knives. #NewnanStrong #NoNaziNewnan pic.twitter.com/ZNFFrubyKh
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) April 21, 2018
While the NSM presents itself as a “non-violent” “white civil rights organization,” it’s proposal for a new United States is simply a copy and paste from the Nazi Party in Germany. In their idealized version of a fascist America, NSM proposes the shutting down of all forms of freedom of speech, “Marxist labor unions,” and press that holds views counter to their own. They state that all non-whites, non-heterosexual, and all Jews must leave the United States or face the consequences. Beyond that, they also propose that this new Nazified America will require “living space,” and thus reserves the right to invade and take over other countries.
Jeff Schoep of the NSM applied for the permit to hold their rally in Newnan, April 21st. Which will attract regional and local support from other the groups such as League of the South, Aryan Nations, the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, among others. pic.twitter.com/sfor7Mr1W2
— Atlanta Antifascists (@afainatl) April 8, 2018
In the lead up the protests in Newnan, local and national press did more to play up fears of antifascist counter-demonstrators breaking shop windows, than of the neo-Nazi and KKK members who were coming, largely from out of State. The night before the rally in Newnan, Alt-Right leaders such as Chris Cantwell encouraged those attending to carry guns and give “NO WARNING SHOT” before firing on counter-demonstrators, referencing a KKK member who shot at an African-American counter-demonstrator in Charlottesville. Others encouraged neo-Nazis to bring concealed knives to the demonstration in order to attack counter-protesters. By and large media, especially “liberal” and ‘Center-left” media has refused to pick up on these threats, and instead focused largely on the spectacle of the clashes themselves. Left out of the entire conversation, is that the antifascist mobilization, which is organized and led by a variety of groups such as the Street Groomers, and anarchist, antifascist, and anti-capitalist organizations; over 20 groups across the local area.
Check out social media roundup here, which will be updated throughout the day.
4:33 PM: Buzzfeed News reports that members of League of the South are on stage with the National Socialist Movement. Berkeley Antifa reports that at least one member of the Loyal White Knights of the KKK from San Francisco has also made the journey from California.
6 PM: Nazis have left. Media reports 10 arrests, all on antiracist side. Misdemeanors. See link at top to donate to get those arrested out of jail.
The Nazis' sound system was cut off and they were kicked out of the park promptly at 5pm, when their permit ended #Newnan pic.twitter.com/13vNi0PLxG
— Christopher Mathias (@letsgomathias) April 21, 2018
Police leaving their posts. It’s over. #Newnan pic.twitter.com/z2EOMnx8he
— Deke Lloyd (@dekelloyd) April 21, 2018
HAPPENING NOW: Watch what’s happening in #newnan with live video coverage from our reporting partner, Channel 2 Action News. Click or tap here for the breaking news. https://t.co/Ck8UUH9FpU pic.twitter.com/3xtWxMrIjv
— AJC (@ajc) April 21, 2018
League of South speaker now front and center talking about the "Devil's children: international Jewry" who he blames for "race-mixing" and "multiculturalism."
Fuck this shit #Newnan pic.twitter.com/Vtp3R7HGbz
— Christopher Mathias (@letsgomathias) April 21, 2018
Quick update with @DLamontJenkins who is at the Nazi exit point.
Go to the News2Share Facebook page for my full livestream of the last two hours in Newnan. pic.twitter.com/SXFzj3lfIL
— Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) April 21, 2018
The Nazis in #newnan today have been more effective at rallying counter protesters and media than themselves. pic.twitter.com/DCbsxIhgVZ
— Stephen Deere (@stephencdeere) April 21, 2018
The NSM has a microphone but it’s not very loud. Protestors can’t hear anything. pic.twitter.com/npTRVdprlY
— Christian Jennings (@CJenningsWSB) April 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/letmeexplainit/status/987792277769805824
this picture is so funny like who can take a nazi seriously with all the chalk everywhere i love #newnan pic.twitter.com/dbgj1HiC3A
— peyton ⌬ (@peytonsalyards) April 21, 2018
Charles Donner, #SanFrancisco nazi who stabbed people in Anaheim in 2016, is in Newnan #NoNaziNewnan pic.twitter.com/ucVjKPU736
— Berkeley Antifa (@berkeleyantifa) April 21, 2018
There's maybe 30 Nazis here compared to HUNDREDS of counter protestors. Get. Wrekt. #NotInMyTown #FuckNazis #FuckHate #NewnanStrong #Newnan pic.twitter.com/Tfv8vUm5T3
— saltycaeks (@saltycaeks) April 21, 2018
I was just escorted out by police after neo-Nazis recognized my face among the reporters and asked that I be removed.
“So long, Mr. Smith!” one member of the League of the South shouted after me. https://t.co/cnnrgipAVT
— Jack Smith IV (@JackSmithIV) April 21, 2018
Nazis have arrived to park. #Newnan #NewnanStrong pic.twitter.com/onGsrqK0En
— Deke Lloyd (@dekelloyd) April 21, 2018
Of course, Nazis are being "protected on all sides by cops" in #Newnan. https://t.co/w4jJY6oXHQ
— Ash J (@AshAgony) April 21, 2018
A weak showing from the NSM. Seems that other groups were no shows. Appears as if the other organizations within the 'Nationalist Front' did not show up in solidarity. Only months before, the NSM was pulling much bigger numbers. https://t.co/zQdu33WfL5
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) April 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/MichaelPnano/status/987783155435192327
3:55 PM: Media reports only 30-35 neo-Nazis have turned out for the demonstration.
I count about 35 neo-Nazis getting ready to march to central #Newnan pic.twitter.com/OMLEVKePt9
— Will Carless (@willcarless) April 21, 2018
National Socialist Movement protest staging near Greenville Park in #Newnan. Can see no more than 30. There are nearly 700 cops and 500 counter protesters waiting for them. @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/DILRxdfHAL
— Randy Travis (@RandyTravisFox5) April 21, 2018
Newnan Strong is being chanted. #Newnan #NewnanStrong pic.twitter.com/Zmea7iOxto
— Deke Lloyd (@dekelloyd) April 21, 2018
#Newnan pic.twitter.com/gQuOjMv8Ed
— (ง’̀-‘́)ง? (@fruitgoth_) April 21, 2018
NSM has arrived in Newnan, but have not yet entered the park to the rally, according to @Newnangeorgia spokesperson. #NewnanStrong #Newnan pic.twitter.com/utVbAGU2RL
— The Newnan Times-Herald (@TimesHerald) April 21, 2018
Another group of counterprotesters just arrived near the park, chanting "Newnan strong, all power to the people." pic.twitter.com/fQD8aPfbTo
— News2Share (@N2Sreports) April 21, 2018
3:40 PM: Local news reports that the NSM is in town, but not yet at the rally. This is typical of police operations in this situation. Police are waiting to contain and manage the crowd before they will bring in the neo-Nazis.
Cops grabbing and arresting our people off the sidewalk for no reason #NoNaziNewnan
— Metro Atlanta DSA ? (@MetroATLDSA) April 21, 2018
#NoNaziNewnan Police protecting Randall Wiley Smith, Georgia leader of Aryan Nations Worldwide https://t.co/1gTLYBS5yl
— Atlanta Antifascists (@afainatl) April 21, 2018
Counter protesters ready to greet neo nazi group. #Newnan #NewnanStrong pic.twitter.com/HS1SqE1i84
— Ashley Kirklen (@AKirklen) April 21, 2018
Anti-fascist protesting in front of police officers. #Newnan #NewnanStrong pic.twitter.com/Zixey0H7VN
— Deke Lloyd (@dekelloyd) April 21, 2018
Armed officers coming to break up counter protesters. #Newnan #NewnanStrong pic.twitter.com/QNk50m9hyj
— Deke Lloyd (@dekelloyd) April 21, 2018
Larger groups coming in to protest pic.twitter.com/6kXZoNSpSl
— Christian Jennings (@CJenningsWSB) April 21, 2018
Police rush into a crowded protest at the Nazi rally to snatch and arrest someone, allegedly for wearing a red bandana on their face — multiple protesters have been tackled and arrested for masks already today. pic.twitter.com/OdVXUpixHT
— Jack Smith IV (@JackSmithIV) April 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/DianneG/status/987772583956410374
Police herding counter protesters into area. It’s getting hectic. #Newnan #NewnanStrong pic.twitter.com/3TqmtTnyiD
— Deke Lloyd (@dekelloyd) April 21, 2018
Counter protesters confront man as he tries to walk toward neo Nazi event. He ultimately was chased behind police lines. Multiple arrests of counter protesters for blocking streets, wearing masks. #Newnan @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/2dzFIWTUgf
— Randy Travis (@RandyTravisFox5) April 21, 2018
150-200 counter-protesters who passed thru a secondary checkpoint are moving to demo area. #Newnan pic.twitter.com/oeb4HdPqA8
— Chris Joyner (@cjoyner) April 21, 2018
It seems Anti Fascists are outside checkpoint. Police slowing down checkpoint. #Newnan #NewnanStrong pic.twitter.com/0LiPxuuozc
— Deke Lloyd (@dekelloyd) April 21, 2018
3:05 PM: People have arrived outside of police checkpoint. Reports of police pepper spraying the crowd and arresting various counter-demonstrators on the antiracist side.
Cops are spraying At the checkpoint. . #NoNaziNewnan pic.twitter.com/cbGskIF6XG
— PhDComMom (@PhDComMom) April 21, 2018
Cops continuing to harass and arrest people in the antiracist contingent, one or two at a time sporadically #NoNaziNewnan
— Metro Atlanta DSA ? (@MetroATLDSA) April 21, 2018
Antifa arrives at the security checkpoint to the Nazi rally in Georgia, drums beating, chanting “Whose streets? Our streets!” pic.twitter.com/jwmdTcjUOl
— Jack Smith IV (@JackSmithIV) April 21, 2018
Counter protesters coming through checkpoint and being ushered back further by police. #Newnan #NewnanStrong pic.twitter.com/NCow71rJx8
— Deke Lloyd (@dekelloyd) April 21, 2018
Hey so people are getting tackled and arrested and having fucking guns pointed at their faces for wearing bandanas, while there are degenerates calling for ethnic cleansing walking the street under police protection.
Justice is dead in #Newnan today. #NoNaziNewnan
— (ง’̀-‘́)ง? (@fruitgoth_) April 21, 2018
Just spotted these guys corner of Greenville and Salvide. #NoNaziNewnan pic.twitter.com/uFHGQELuCQ
— PhDComMom (@PhDComMom) April 21, 2018
Reminder: although GA does have an “anti-masking” statute, it was not publicized on the pre-rally legal flier that Newnan put. The flier just said that masks would be prohibited *inside the restricted area*. (I’m not there so I don’t know if these folx were inside or outside.) https://t.co/02jbOc6Xrp
— Pam Starsia (@PamStarsia) April 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/BillyHeathFOX5/status/987761848844980225
Marching #NoNaziNewnan pic.twitter.com/NFGvyjMFyZ
— Metro Atlanta DSA ? (@MetroATLDSA) April 21, 2018
Cops' response when I asked why arrests were being made #Newnan pic.twitter.com/UPr2Ygg83y
— Christopher Mathias (@letsgomathias) April 21, 2018
2:17 PM: Police driving around in tanks and BEAR Cat vehicles now pointing automatic weapons at protesters on sidewalks. Reports of at least 5 arrests.
I just witness the most over-aggressive policing I've ever seen in #Newnan. Tackling protesters and arresting them… for wearing masks. pic.twitter.com/Mf1e5cfKH2
— Christopher Mathias (@letsgomathias) April 21, 2018
A cop points a gun at a protester #Newnan pic.twitter.com/wsQuy6LqVx
— Christopher Mathias (@letsgomathias) April 21, 2018
#NoNaziNewnan 5 arrests reported!https://t.co/3V9QHGQYDz
— Atlanta Antifascists (@afainatl) April 21, 2018
#NoNaziNewnan Report: cops at Clark and Jackson requesting folks demask or be arrested
— Atlanta Antifascists (@afainatl) April 21, 2018
It looks like a military occupation in #Newnan pic.twitter.com/yYXcp1GZp5
— Christopher Mathias (@letsgomathias) April 21, 2018
#NoNaziNewnan counter-protester says he wishes he could talk to Nazis “before I punch them in the face.” pic.twitter.com/EBLuCSR1v1
— Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) April 21, 2018
Just your average Saturday #NoNaziNewnan pic.twitter.com/4iqoK4M9j7
— pennywise gamgee (@blackonionking) April 21, 2018
Police standing around in Newnan talk to #NewnanStrong counter protester. pic.twitter.com/nUf3ZxaYGS
— Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) April 21, 2018
Counter protesters ar starting to congregate, some open-carrying. Police ask them to not block the sidewalks. #newnan pic.twitter.com/OjYnnJgvNN
— Emily Molli (@MomesMolli) April 21, 2018
It’s quiet out here so far, seeing lots of police vehicles streaming in and staging around the downtown area. A few hours until counter-protest groups plan to assemble. pic.twitter.com/cqi5JAbwL1
— Emily Molli (@MomesMolli) April 21, 2018