In a deeply troubling series of events, a group of neo-Nazis descended upon Altamonte Springs, a town situated in north Orlando, openly flaunting fascist symbols and vehemently shouting derogatory slogans. Over the weekend, videos capturing this disconcerting display of hatred surfaced on social media.
Neo-Nazis Rally in Altamonte Springs
This disturbing episode unfolded through a series of videos that rapidly gained notoriety after being shared online. The clips depicted scores engaging in racist chants and salutes. The scenes played out at Cranes Roost Park, a central location within Altamonte Springs, and the town was caught off guard by the appalling display.
Racial Hatred and Harassment
As the videos unfolded, they revealed several instances of racist speech and harassment, particularly targeting Jewish people and anti-racist activists. Notable among the individuals captured in these videos were Jon Minadeo II, a white supremacist who founded the Goyim Defense League (GDL), and Christopher Pohlhaus, the leader of the neo-Nazi group known as Blood Tribe. Both have been associated with the promotion of far-right propaganda, with Minadeo infamously displaying such materials at the gates of Auschwitz, a former Nazi death camp.
Conflicted Political Statements
While some participants within the footage expressed support for President Joe Biden, citing his stance on Ukraine, another faction within the group voiced support for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who later distanced himself from this unexpected endorsement. Neo-Nazi and White supremacist groups have a history of exploiting and endorsing causes that they may not genuinely align with, including political affiliations. This often leaves observers perplexed by their motivations and allegiances.
Targeting a Jewish Woman
Laura Loomer, a former Republican congressional candidate in Florida of Jewish heritage, was targeted and harassed by the group while she attempted to record their activities on her phone. These videos have since gone viral, eliciting widespread condemnation and outrage.
An Intimidation Tactic
Liora Rez, the executive director of StopAntisemitism, said: “Members of the GDL are dangerous criminals with records of assault, arson, and domestic abuse. The collaboration between the White supremacist groups GDL and Blood Tribe is not surprising – birds of a feather flock together. The joint event created a larger-than-normal crowd meant to be an intimidation tactic.”
Calls for Action Against Hate
Rez continued: “These neo-Nazis are cowards who cover their faces while making the ‘Heil Hitler’ salute and StopAntisemitism calls on Governor DeSantis to condemn the gathering so that these hate-mongers know that they are not welcome in Florida.”
Florida’s Ongoing Struggles With Racism
The alarming incident adds to a distressing pattern of racial incidents in Florida. Earlier this year, a shooting occurred at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, resulting in the tragic deaths of three Black individuals. Law enforcement categorized the attack as racially motivated, further highlighting the state’s challenges with prejudice and discrimination.
Disney World and the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill
Florida’s contentious political landscape has also drawn attention due to the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Neo-Nazi protestors gathered outside the Walt Disney World theme park earlier this year. They supported Governor DeSantis and the bill, which seeks to restrict discussions of LGBTQ+ issues in schools.
Florida’s Inclusivity and Tolerance
The presence of neo-Nazi groups in Florida and their brazen exhibitions of hate serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against extremism. The events challenge Florida’s commitment to inclusivity and tolerance, necessitating a resolute response from leaders and communities alike to confront bigotry and discrimination head-on.
The Internet Responded
The viral videos were shared across social media and, for the most part, people were absolutely disgusted. One person said: “We fought a whole war against these psychos. Now the corrupt Republicans are recruiting them as a cult. Real patriots will know how to vote in 2024.”
Concerns About Florida
Others expressed concerns about the state of politics in Florida. One person said: “Florida in the last few years has become a hotbed for radical militant right-wing groups. Florida had more Jan 6th rioters arrested than any other state and more and more flock to Florida every day due to a political climate that encourages them. Florida is returning to the deep south 1950s.”
Banning Nazi Symbolism
Some people discussed the possibility of banning Nazi symbols. “How difficult would it be to ban the display of Nazi swastikas? Other countries have done it,” one person said. “The Florida governor would have to stop [metaphorically] waving it around first and that ain’t happening,” another replied.
The Mindset of Neo-Nazis
Others looked into the mindset of neo-Nazis. “Alt-right fascists rely on their idea that they are part of a silent majority to bolster their confidence. Making clear that their ideals and ideas aren’t popular or part of the mainstream is the first step in getting them to shut up,” one person said.
A Tactic Used Throughout History
Another said: “The true number of them out there is less than they would like but more than we would want. What they are doing is a tactic used by fascists throughout history, an attempt to position themselves as the true voice of the people as opposed to the pathetic losers they are.”
Trump Gave Them the Confidence
Some questioned why the group felt so comfortable voicing their disgusting beliefs. “You would have caught a beating thirty to forty years ago for this. When did Nazis feel comfortable coming out of the trench coat closet?” one person asked. “Trump gave them the confidence. The far-right propaganda machine gave them the ideas,” another replied.
A Terrorist Organization
One person called on the government to do more to stop neo-Nazis. They wrote: “I wish the federal government would list Nazis as a terrorist organization and treat them as such. That’s literally what they’re trying to do – instill fear into the general population to try and gain power. So how are these [idiots] able to flaunt their dangerous and hateful ideologies without repercussions?”
A Trashcan of a Hate Group
The commenter continued: “I get that Florida is being handled by neo-Nazis [and] Nazi-adjacent people but come on – at least some part of the federal government needs to recognize this as a problem and denounce this somewhat organized trashcan of a hate group.”
The Republican Response
Others discussed odd responses from Republicans. “I’ve seen Republicans trying to claim that this was Democrats pretending to be neo-Nazis to make the right look bad. These people are actually delusional. If it’s you saying that, know that these Nazis are what you’ll look like if you take one more step to the right,” one person said.
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