Nationalist Front (United States)
Nationalist Front is a loose coalition of United States-based neo-Nazi, white nationalist, white supremacist, neo-Confederate, and alt-right groups.[1]
History and activities
Conceived by the leaders of the neo-Nazi group National Socialist Movement (NSM) and the white supremacist Traditionalist Worker Party (TWP), the coalition was formed in 2016. Its aim was to unite white supremacist and white nationalist groups under a common umbrella. The coalition was joined by the neo-confederate League of the South, the neo-Nazi Vanguard America and four other groups.[2][3]
The ideology of the Nationalist Front centers on traditionalism and a desire for a white ethnostate. The groups participated in the August 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.[4] Earlier in the year, it organized the white supremacist rally in Pikeville, Kentucky which attracted 100 to 125 supporters.[5]
White Lives Matter rally
The Nationalist Front was a key organizer of the "White Lives Matter" rally in Shelbyville and Murfreesboro, Tennessee in October 2017. Participating groups included: NSM, TWP, League of the South, Vanguard America, The Right Stuff, and Anti-Communist Action.[6][7]
The Shelbyville rally took place as scheduled, with about 100 "White Lives Matter" supporters and about 200 counter-protestors. The afternoon event in Murfreeboro was cancelled by the organizers; the authorities estimated that 800 to 1000 people took part in the anti-racist march and counter-protest.[8] In addition, local community and faith activists organized an off-site rally under the moniker of "Murfreesboro Loves". Hundreds participated in the event in support of refugees and minorities.[9]
Membership
- National Socialist Movement (2017-)
- Traditionalist Worker Party (2017-2018; defunct)
- League of the South (2017-2018)
- Vanguard America (2017-)
References
- ↑ Tenold, Vegas (February 17, 2018) "America's dark underbelly: I watched the rise of white nationalism" The Guardian
- ↑ Staff (August 8, 2017) "Nationalist Front Limps in 2016" Southern Poverty Law Center
- ↑ Allison, Natalie (October 25, 2017) "4 extremist groups that will be part of weekend's White Lives Matter rallies", USA Today
- ↑ Smith IV, Jacck (October 11, 2017) "White nationalist alliance plans 'White Lives Matter' rally for Tennessee" Mic.com
- ↑ Staff (October 24, 2017) "White Supremacist Nationalist Front Plans Rallies in Tennessee", Anti-Defamation League blog
- ↑ Timms, Mariah and Allison, Natalie (October 27, 2017) "White Lives Matter Murfreesboro rally: What we know now", The Tennessean
- ↑ Staff (October 24, 2017) "The far right returns to middle Tennessee", Hatewatch
- ↑ Lowery, Wesley (October 28, 2017) "‘White Lives Matter’ organizers cancel second rally after taunts from counterprotesters", The Washington Post
- ↑ Junewicz, Nikki (October 29, 2017) "'Murfreesboro Loves' protests white nationalism from a distance", Fox17.com
External links
- "In Pictures: Racists For Trump On Display At White Lives Matter Rally", a selection of photos from the "White Lives Matter" rally, via PoliticusUSA