February 2019 - Patriot Front
Hello SURJ Network,
Beginning this month, I would like to specifically take time to highlight different areas of the far-right. In these updates I will cover everything from specific organizations, individual actors, funding sources, the social and political theories behind the movement, and also the work that is being done to confront it, from within the SURJ Network, with our allies and partners, and what the broader anti-racist, anti-fascist, and anti-colonial networks are doing as well.
For this initial email, there is so much that I’d love to bring to your attention, but for the sake of brevity, I would like to highlight the American Fascist Organization Patriot Front. Patriot Front is a national organization, and is the offshoot of Vanguard America, the organization James Fields was seen standing with in Charlottesville, VA 2017. SURJ chapters across the country are confronting and dealing with Patriot Front members and chapters, specifically in Houston, TX, Boston, MA, and Olympia, WA.
Patriot Front
Patriot Front is a nation wide White Nationalist hate group that conducts various types of activism, flash demonstrations, flyering and bannering across the country. In 2018 alone the Southern Poverty Law Center tracked 432 different acts of propaganda distribution for the organization. The group is a breakaway group of Vanguard America. The organization in which murderer James Fields was seen with on August 12, 2017. It’s leader is 19 year old Thomas Rosseau. It’s important to not let Rosseau’s age undermine the potential for violence that his organization possesses. Members of Patriot Front are often young males, with some members being veterans/former military. There is membership crossover between this group, Atomwaffen Division, the Eco-Fascist movement, and the violent Rise Above Movement; in addition to ideological and interpersonal connections to Far-Right movements in Europe.
Patriot Front members and groups have been tracked engaging in racist organizing across the country. This engagement involves direct physical acts of intimidation, destruction of property, flash demonstrations, and collaboration with other White Supremacist Organizing fronts such as Patriot Prayer (Portland, OR) and Resist Marxism (Boston, MA).
As part of their activism, Patriot Front members often flyer, sticker, and drop banners. The language and iconography is strictly and specifically soaked in American Nationalism. The group often displays American Symbology, Icons (such as founding Presidents), in conjunction with more traditional Fascist Symbols. Their flyers often target Immigrants, Indigenous folks, Jewish folks. The blending of American Nationalism and Fascism, meld together in a way that can often confuse individuals to the intent of the organization, and fits nicely into the messaging of our current political reality.
The activity level and willingness to engage in direct confrontation and violence of this organization makes it a dangerous threat to any community that they are present. If SURJ chapters or members are interested in what they can do to counter Patriot Front activism in their communities, they can reach out to me directly @ shawn@showup4rj.org. Doxxing, counter-organizing, and political education around Fascism and American Nationalism, can all be important tools in countering their messaging.
If you or your chapter would like to contribute to this monthly update, please feel free to reach out. We are happy to highlight your questions, organizing efforts, and areas of interests.
Always Antifascist!
Shawn Fischer
Field Organizer
Beginning this month, I would like to specifically take time to highlight different areas of the far-right. In these updates I will cover everything from specific organizations, individual actors, funding sources, the social and political theories behind the movement, and also the work that is being done to confront it, from within the SURJ Network, with our allies and partners, and what the broader anti-racist, anti-fascist, and anti-colonial networks are doing as well.
For this initial email, there is so much that I’d love to bring to your attention, but for the sake of brevity, I would like to highlight the American Fascist Organization Patriot Front. Patriot Front is a national organization, and is the offshoot of Vanguard America, the organization James Fields was seen standing with in Charlottesville, VA 2017. SURJ chapters across the country are confronting and dealing with Patriot Front members and chapters, specifically in Houston, TX, Boston, MA, and Olympia, WA.
Patriot Front
Patriot Front is a nation wide White Nationalist hate group that conducts various types of activism, flash demonstrations, flyering and bannering across the country. In 2018 alone the Southern Poverty Law Center tracked 432 different acts of propaganda distribution for the organization. The group is a breakaway group of Vanguard America. The organization in which murderer James Fields was seen with on August 12, 2017. It’s leader is 19 year old Thomas Rosseau. It’s important to not let Rosseau’s age undermine the potential for violence that his organization possesses. Members of Patriot Front are often young males, with some members being veterans/former military. There is membership crossover between this group, Atomwaffen Division, the Eco-Fascist movement, and the violent Rise Above Movement; in addition to ideological and interpersonal connections to Far-Right movements in Europe.
Patriot Front members and groups have been tracked engaging in racist organizing across the country. This engagement involves direct physical acts of intimidation, destruction of property, flash demonstrations, and collaboration with other White Supremacist Organizing fronts such as Patriot Prayer (Portland, OR) and Resist Marxism (Boston, MA).
As part of their activism, Patriot Front members often flyer, sticker, and drop banners. The language and iconography is strictly and specifically soaked in American Nationalism. The group often displays American Symbology, Icons (such as founding Presidents), in conjunction with more traditional Fascist Symbols. Their flyers often target Immigrants, Indigenous folks, Jewish folks. The blending of American Nationalism and Fascism, meld together in a way that can often confuse individuals to the intent of the organization, and fits nicely into the messaging of our current political reality.
The activity level and willingness to engage in direct confrontation and violence of this organization makes it a dangerous threat to any community that they are present. If SURJ chapters or members are interested in what they can do to counter Patriot Front activism in their communities, they can reach out to me directly @ shawn@showup4rj.org. Doxxing, counter-organizing, and political education around Fascism and American Nationalism, can all be important tools in countering their messaging.
If you or your chapter would like to contribute to this monthly update, please feel free to reach out. We are happy to highlight your questions, organizing efforts, and areas of interests.
Always Antifascist!
Shawn Fischer
Field Organizer
March 2019 - Proud boys and the alt-lite
By Shawn Fischer, SURJ Field Organizer
The Far-Right is a menagerie of ideologies, individuals, and groups spanning a broad spectrum of the movement. Since around 2016, a clear delineation has existed that separates these groups and followers into two general camps, known respectively as the “Alt-Lite” and the “Alt-Right”. The dividing line for these groups is the question of White Nationalism, with the Alt-Lite being multiracial and defined by Misogyny, Hyper-Nationalism, and in militant opposition to the Left. Alternatively, the Alt-Right is comprised of most aspects of Alt-Lite ideology, but they take their ideas further, embracing White Nationalism and Identitarianism, and anti-Semitism, with some facets of the Alt-Right advocating for the destruction of the US and the existing Neoliberal Order, so that they can rebuild a racially pure nation from the ashes up. Regardless of where groups and individuals fall along this line, they both represent very distinct threat to our communities, partners, and accomplices.
Across the nation, one of the most militant, violent, and organized groups straddling the Alt-Lite/Alt-Right divide, are The Proud Boys. Founded by Gavin McIness, the organization markets itself as a fraternal organization, and boasts chapters globally. They describe themselves as “Western male chauvinists,” who won’t, “Apologize for creating the modern world.” The organization has a membership that is open to all religions, races, and allows for straight or gay membership. They even has a women’s formation known as Proud Boys’ Girls. Despite the front facing facade, the rank and file of the organization have multiple ties to Far-Right. They have engaged in violence inside and outside of their own communities, sometimes travelling cross country to march in public demonstrations. These groups include members of Patriot Front (highlighted in last month’s newsletter). Patriot Prayer, Resist Marxism, American Guard, and other organizations.
One of the most violent areas for the Proud Boys is the Pacific Northwest. There the Vancouver, Washington based Chapter of the Proud Boys regularly terrorizes Vancouver, Portland, Oregon, Seattle-Tacoma, Washington. In collaboration with Patriot Prayer, an organizing effort centered around agitator Joey Gibson. However, this relationship has had a significant falling out following internal disputes and the release of text messages showing close collaboration between Patriot Prayer and the Portland Police Bureau.
Nationally, the organization has also suffered setbacks. This includes:
Despite these setbacks, the organization continues to be a threat to our communities and SURJ Chapters wherever it is present.
Their ideology serves as a medium for normalizing right-wing ideology, a process called Fascist Creep. Its membership serves as a recruitment space into further right ideologies and violence. The organization overlaps with the Trump Wing of the Republican Party, rendering it a violent street wing of the Party. Former and now indicted Trump Advisor, Roger Stone is a known Proud Boy, who utilized the organization during the 2018 Florida Governorship Recount. and it was after McInnes spoke at the Metropolitan Republican Club, that Proud Boys engaged in a violent rampage through the Upper East Side of New York City.
They also continue to organize in our communities often shielding their intentions behind a strategically tailored facade of multiculturalism, collaboration, and collusion with Law Enforcement, Hyper-Nationalism, Trumpism, and Western Supremacy. Their ability to act and behave this way, while still functioning as an organization, not only highlights the role that they play within the racist, patriarchal, colonial-settler, imperialist project, but the way in which Alt-Lite groups, celebrities, and ideologies, work to normalize and preserve White Supremacy Culture across the globe.
The Far-Right is a menagerie of ideologies, individuals, and groups spanning a broad spectrum of the movement. Since around 2016, a clear delineation has existed that separates these groups and followers into two general camps, known respectively as the “Alt-Lite” and the “Alt-Right”. The dividing line for these groups is the question of White Nationalism, with the Alt-Lite being multiracial and defined by Misogyny, Hyper-Nationalism, and in militant opposition to the Left. Alternatively, the Alt-Right is comprised of most aspects of Alt-Lite ideology, but they take their ideas further, embracing White Nationalism and Identitarianism, and anti-Semitism, with some facets of the Alt-Right advocating for the destruction of the US and the existing Neoliberal Order, so that they can rebuild a racially pure nation from the ashes up. Regardless of where groups and individuals fall along this line, they both represent very distinct threat to our communities, partners, and accomplices.
Across the nation, one of the most militant, violent, and organized groups straddling the Alt-Lite/Alt-Right divide, are The Proud Boys. Founded by Gavin McIness, the organization markets itself as a fraternal organization, and boasts chapters globally. They describe themselves as “Western male chauvinists,” who won’t, “Apologize for creating the modern world.” The organization has a membership that is open to all religions, races, and allows for straight or gay membership. They even has a women’s formation known as Proud Boys’ Girls. Despite the front facing facade, the rank and file of the organization have multiple ties to Far-Right. They have engaged in violence inside and outside of their own communities, sometimes travelling cross country to march in public demonstrations. These groups include members of Patriot Front (highlighted in last month’s newsletter). Patriot Prayer, Resist Marxism, American Guard, and other organizations.
One of the most violent areas for the Proud Boys is the Pacific Northwest. There the Vancouver, Washington based Chapter of the Proud Boys regularly terrorizes Vancouver, Portland, Oregon, Seattle-Tacoma, Washington. In collaboration with Patriot Prayer, an organizing effort centered around agitator Joey Gibson. However, this relationship has had a significant falling out following internal disputes and the release of text messages showing close collaboration between Patriot Prayer and the Portland Police Bureau.
Nationally, the organization has also suffered setbacks. This includes:
- FBI labelling the organization an Extremist Group.
- McInnes quiting the group and stepping down from his leadership role for the organization.
- The leaking of internal documents and organizational leadership structure.
- Violent street attacks in New York City
- A massive Doxx Campaign led by Antifascists across the country.
- The woes of short-term leader, Jason Lee Van Dyke
- Ongoing violence across the Pacific Northwest with violent attacks against the LGBTQ Community in Portland.
- Targeting of an IWW Union Hall
- Leaking of the Portland Police Bureau Texts confirming a long history of police collusion at the risk to life of counter-protestors.
- And the recent indictments of Tiny Toese and Donvan Flippo
Despite these setbacks, the organization continues to be a threat to our communities and SURJ Chapters wherever it is present.
Their ideology serves as a medium for normalizing right-wing ideology, a process called Fascist Creep. Its membership serves as a recruitment space into further right ideologies and violence. The organization overlaps with the Trump Wing of the Republican Party, rendering it a violent street wing of the Party. Former and now indicted Trump Advisor, Roger Stone is a known Proud Boy, who utilized the organization during the 2018 Florida Governorship Recount. and it was after McInnes spoke at the Metropolitan Republican Club, that Proud Boys engaged in a violent rampage through the Upper East Side of New York City.
They also continue to organize in our communities often shielding their intentions behind a strategically tailored facade of multiculturalism, collaboration, and collusion with Law Enforcement, Hyper-Nationalism, Trumpism, and Western Supremacy. Their ability to act and behave this way, while still functioning as an organization, not only highlights the role that they play within the racist, patriarchal, colonial-settler, imperialist project, but the way in which Alt-Lite groups, celebrities, and ideologies, work to normalize and preserve White Supremacy Culture across the globe.
Statement on New Zealand shooting
SURJ Family,
As some of you may already know, a White Supremacist in Christchurch, New Zealand carried out a mass shooting that killed 49 people, and wounded another 48, at two mosques as they attended Friday evening prayers. One man has been taken into custody and charged with murder.
The terrorist, whose name is Brenton Tarrant, left behind a 74 page manifesto, which he posted online, along with a link to a live stream of a possible helmet camera he was wearing, allowing people to watch Tarrant’s attack as it occured in real time. As important as it is for us to take this time to recommit and stand firm in support of our Muslim neighbors, families, friends,and the global Islamic Community, it is also an important time to highlight the role that White Supremacy and Far-Right Ideology played in the motivation of the attacker.
Tarrant’s relationship to the Far-Right existed mostly online up until his attack. His manifesto, live stream link, and images of himself and the gear he was carrying was posted to the notorious message board website, 8Chan, and meant to be shared virally online. The global Alt-Right movement cannot be fully understood, unless we recognize it as an online movement whose adherents find their own culture, community, and solidarity; as well as, motivation, rhetoric and ideas from online message boards often referred to as Chans. This includes websites, 4Chan, 8Chan, Reddit, Gab, and Voat; as much as the communities found on boards such as The Daily Stormer and now defunct Stormfront. These message boards serve as global meeting places of the Alt-Right universe, and the type of attack that Tarrant carried out; as well as the attacks in the US like the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting, are referred to as IRL (In Real Life) events; where usually lone individuals, take their hate offline, and put it into practice. These types of solitary attacks are nearly impossible to predict and defend against, and a favorite of Far-Right Terrorists. In the US, all of the extremist attacks of 2018 were carried out by white males linked to Far-Right ideologies.
Further reinforcement of Tarrant’s connection to the Far-Right was an image posted by Tarrant and reposted by violent US Based Fascist organization, Atomwaffen Division, showed Tarrant’s body armor with a Sonnenrad, or Black Sun patch, placed front and center. This symbol is used throughout the Far-Right. Historically being used by Nazi German SS units, it has made its way into our time, flown on the flag of the Texas chapter of Fascist Organization Vanguard America during the deadly August 2017 Unite the Right Rally, in which one Antiracist was murdered by James Fields. Even globally the symbol is also part of the Ukrainian Fascist military formation known as the Azov Battalion, which as a formation within the Ukrainian National Guard, stands to be one of the most organized and powerful Fascist movements currently in the world.
See the image below for Tarrant’s body armor posted by Atomwaffen linked Twitter Account. The sonnenrad is the patch at the center of the vest, and displayed on one of the dog tags. The other dog tag displays a White Power Symbol
The role that Islamophobia and Anti-Immigrant ideologies play in the Far-Right are deeply rooted, and manifest themselves through Western Identitarianism, which is a major force in Far-Right recruitment globally. This fear of the other is, and has been, a powerful tool of division utilized by the Far-Right, throughout history. Spread through internet message boards, or originating from the leaders of the supposed free world, we must combat this very powerful motivator for Far-Right mobilization. We should take this opportunity to reaffirm our relationships with our neighbors, build within our communities, and tear down the walls that divide us. Eliminating this fear is critical in the dismantling of the White Supremacist, Hetero-Patriarchal, Racist, Colonial-Settler State that this hate continues to feed across the globe.
To help the families and victims of the shootings, you can donate to their crowdfunding campaign here. If you would like to talk more about the connections of Tarrant to the Far-Right, Global Far-Right, or the way that Islamophobia and fear play into this ideology, then please feel free to reach out. But most importantly, what we can do always, is to confront the ideology inherent in these attacks in our own communities and country. Currently the same ideas that lead Brenton Tarrant to commit this atrocity have found a place within the current administration. From our Immigration policies crafted by Stephen Miller, Kris Kobach, and FAIR, to our President’s own bigotries and hate, these same flames responsible for indigenous genocide and the criminalization of black and brown bodies, are being stoked from the highest offices. Please do not believe it to be any coincidence that Tarrant praised Trump as, “A symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose,” in his manifesto. We must recognize that our work to confront the ideas and individuals behind this ideology is needed now more than ever, as we see other Islamophobic attacks being carried out in response to Tarrant’s efforts.
In sorrow but solidarity. Never forget that we can keep each other safe.
Shawn Fischer
SURJ Field Organizer
As some of you may already know, a White Supremacist in Christchurch, New Zealand carried out a mass shooting that killed 49 people, and wounded another 48, at two mosques as they attended Friday evening prayers. One man has been taken into custody and charged with murder.
The terrorist, whose name is Brenton Tarrant, left behind a 74 page manifesto, which he posted online, along with a link to a live stream of a possible helmet camera he was wearing, allowing people to watch Tarrant’s attack as it occured in real time. As important as it is for us to take this time to recommit and stand firm in support of our Muslim neighbors, families, friends,and the global Islamic Community, it is also an important time to highlight the role that White Supremacy and Far-Right Ideology played in the motivation of the attacker.
Tarrant’s relationship to the Far-Right existed mostly online up until his attack. His manifesto, live stream link, and images of himself and the gear he was carrying was posted to the notorious message board website, 8Chan, and meant to be shared virally online. The global Alt-Right movement cannot be fully understood, unless we recognize it as an online movement whose adherents find their own culture, community, and solidarity; as well as, motivation, rhetoric and ideas from online message boards often referred to as Chans. This includes websites, 4Chan, 8Chan, Reddit, Gab, and Voat; as much as the communities found on boards such as The Daily Stormer and now defunct Stormfront. These message boards serve as global meeting places of the Alt-Right universe, and the type of attack that Tarrant carried out; as well as the attacks in the US like the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting, are referred to as IRL (In Real Life) events; where usually lone individuals, take their hate offline, and put it into practice. These types of solitary attacks are nearly impossible to predict and defend against, and a favorite of Far-Right Terrorists. In the US, all of the extremist attacks of 2018 were carried out by white males linked to Far-Right ideologies.
Further reinforcement of Tarrant’s connection to the Far-Right was an image posted by Tarrant and reposted by violent US Based Fascist organization, Atomwaffen Division, showed Tarrant’s body armor with a Sonnenrad, or Black Sun patch, placed front and center. This symbol is used throughout the Far-Right. Historically being used by Nazi German SS units, it has made its way into our time, flown on the flag of the Texas chapter of Fascist Organization Vanguard America during the deadly August 2017 Unite the Right Rally, in which one Antiracist was murdered by James Fields. Even globally the symbol is also part of the Ukrainian Fascist military formation known as the Azov Battalion, which as a formation within the Ukrainian National Guard, stands to be one of the most organized and powerful Fascist movements currently in the world.
See the image below for Tarrant’s body armor posted by Atomwaffen linked Twitter Account. The sonnenrad is the patch at the center of the vest, and displayed on one of the dog tags. The other dog tag displays a White Power Symbol
The role that Islamophobia and Anti-Immigrant ideologies play in the Far-Right are deeply rooted, and manifest themselves through Western Identitarianism, which is a major force in Far-Right recruitment globally. This fear of the other is, and has been, a powerful tool of division utilized by the Far-Right, throughout history. Spread through internet message boards, or originating from the leaders of the supposed free world, we must combat this very powerful motivator for Far-Right mobilization. We should take this opportunity to reaffirm our relationships with our neighbors, build within our communities, and tear down the walls that divide us. Eliminating this fear is critical in the dismantling of the White Supremacist, Hetero-Patriarchal, Racist, Colonial-Settler State that this hate continues to feed across the globe.
To help the families and victims of the shootings, you can donate to their crowdfunding campaign here. If you would like to talk more about the connections of Tarrant to the Far-Right, Global Far-Right, or the way that Islamophobia and fear play into this ideology, then please feel free to reach out. But most importantly, what we can do always, is to confront the ideology inherent in these attacks in our own communities and country. Currently the same ideas that lead Brenton Tarrant to commit this atrocity have found a place within the current administration. From our Immigration policies crafted by Stephen Miller, Kris Kobach, and FAIR, to our President’s own bigotries and hate, these same flames responsible for indigenous genocide and the criminalization of black and brown bodies, are being stoked from the highest offices. Please do not believe it to be any coincidence that Tarrant praised Trump as, “A symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose,” in his manifesto. We must recognize that our work to confront the ideas and individuals behind this ideology is needed now more than ever, as we see other Islamophobic attacks being carried out in response to Tarrant’s efforts.
In sorrow but solidarity. Never forget that we can keep each other safe.
Shawn Fischer
SURJ Field Organizer
Tarrant’s body armor posted by Atomwaffen linked Twitter Account. The sonnenrad is the patch at the center of the vest, and displayed on one of the dog tags. The other dog tag displays a White Power Symbol