06/11/2018
These disturbing images show members of the National Socialist Movement, one of the largest neo-Nazi groups in America, burning a swastika and an Odal rune* after a rally on April 21 2018. Members of the local community opposed the rally and came out to embrace racial unity in the small Georgia town. Hundreds of police officers were deployed during the rally, in an attempt to keep the anti racist protesters and neo-Nazi groups separated, fearing violence of the like seen in Charlottesville.
Whilst the thought of these racist bigots acting in this manner is upsetting, there is some comfort in hearing that the two dozen members of the National Socialist Movement were significantly outnumbered by the hundred or so counter protestors.
Both groups were dwarfed in number by the estimated 700 police officers on duty.
Just My Opinion
In the UK, we have white supremacist groups and are not without evidence of hate on our streets. Britain First and the English Defence League are two obvious examples of xenophobic hate groups operating in the UK. Whilst the British government have outlawed National Action as a a prescribed terror organisation, it is clear we need to do more to stamp out such bigotry.
We need to educate those who stupidly believe that they are better than others, simply because of where they were born or the colour of their skin.
We should keep on pushing the the message of #HopeNotHate and aim to reduce the number of xenophobic bigots with each generation to come. Sadly, it cannot be achieved overnight, but that should not stop the ambition.
* The Odal rune mimics the emblem of certain SS units operating during World War II. The version adopted by the American Nazis has no historical significance outside of Nazi Germany. As a result of its Nazi associations, the use of the Odal rune is illegal in Germany, as with most other symbols if used in a Neo-Nazi context.
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