Home › Nazis come to OlyWa: A history (so far)

Olympia Residents Stop Nazi March

Sun, 01/22/2006 - 6:59pm — djmega

photo by Dave Lynn

author: oly antifascist

1/22/06 Olympia—Hundreds of Olympia residents confronted Nazis outside of the corporate newspaper building here today. Nine members of the Nazi group National Socialist Movement gathered to test Olympia for future recruiting drives and a possible larger rally in July. Many of the Nazis dressed in SS Storm Trooper brownshirt uniforms and displayed large Nazi and American flags. Olympia residents were given less than a day's notice to spread the news and organize a response.

Olympia residents surrounded the Nazis who were protected by approximately a dozen police officers. Both sides freely exchanged jeers and insults while police officers adjusted their buffer zone keeping residents away from the Nazis. Many residents were outraged that Nazis came to Olympia to openly espouse ethnic cleansing, genocide and hate. Olympia residents stood in the Nazis' way and successfully prevented the Nazi group from marching to the State Capitol.

After approximately forty minutes, the Nazis decided to leave. Residents let out a huge cheer when most of the Nazis returned to their trucks and left. Three Nazis did not park their car at the rally point and were followed down State Avenue by police and residents.

Eventually garbage cans were placed in the three Nazis' path. Police officers escorted the Nazis across the street and then into the backseats of police cars. Police then transported the Nazis to an unknown location.

Residents continued downtown and re-gathered in Sylvester Park to discuss the day's experience. Residents passed around a megaphone and made speeches about what they learned and how proud they are of the Olympia community. Many residents expressed the need to fight fascism in all its forms.

Comments

Sun, 01/22/2006 - 9:05pm — The Fire Inside

This is funny. There was wha

This is funny. There was what? Nine neo-Nazis? If there's media coverage of this event it will be because so many people showed up to counter-protest.

The Nazi party in the US is a step above an elementary school field trip in terms of organization.

As individuals are they dangerous? Yes, they are. As a group is the Nazi party dangerous? Hardly. It's group that's definately not on the verge of making a comeback.

Sun, 01/22/2006 - 9:13pm — Robert Whitlock

I tend to agree with The Fire

I tend to agree with The Fire on this one.

As a relatively passive observer to the whole phenomenon, I noticed that some of the peace and justice activators behaved more like mean-spirited bullies than real reconciliatory agents or harbingers of change.

These Nazi's killed someone in 1992? What is showing up in mass going to do to prevent another murder? (Answer: Nothing - quite possibly it could serve to exacerbate their will to repeat and incite them into more acts of physically atrocious violence.)

Thanks for listening.

Mon, 01/23/2006 - 1:36pm — djmega

You two are ridiculous. Go ah

You two are ridiculous. Go ahead, kick back in your armchair and watch the world go to shit.
FRO 98.5 FM www.frolympia.org
Mon, 01/23/2006 - 1:58pm — The Fire Inside

It's not going to be because

It's not going to be because of neo-Nazis, that's for sure.
Mon, 01/23/2006 - 2:18pm — djmega

from your comment, i'll bet y

from your comment, i'll bet you are a white male
FRO 98.5 FM www.frolympia.org
Mon, 01/23/2006 - 2:29pm — The Fire Inside

Actually, I would be one of t

Actually, I would be one of the first the neo-Nazi movement would whack if they were back in power.

I'm a mixed blood, half-European and half-Hispanic. But hey, thanks for trying.

In fact, since we're going to throw out assumptions, is it safe to assume you're more European than I am?

My comment wasn't intended to mean I would want these people controlling things. It was simply to say that if the world is going to go to shit, it's not because of disgruntled, poorly educated, white-trash.

EDIT: I have to laugh, actually. You see, I'm part of the minority community in South Sound. When you read about the Hispanic population on the rise in Thurston County, think of The Fire.

Mon, 01/23/2006 - 2:51pm — djmega

i apologize for the assumptio

i apologize for the assumption.
it just seems that the people that say neo-nazis are nothing to worry about TEND to be of the privileged class that is not the target of nazi hatred. as someone with mixed heritage, i am interested to know why you feel that the nazis' doctrine of hate and their recruitment efforts among youth in public schools is nothing to worry about. do you have kids in the public school? do they pass for white or not? (rhetorical question, not intended for you to answer here)
and its not that i think these particular nazis are going to take over the country. but the doctrine of intolerance and hate they preach is reflected in the policies of some who do have alot of power. i truly believe that we need to counter hate and intolerance in whatever guise it takes, blatant or underhanded, and send a clear message to haters that they cannot march through our town spewing hatred, or make a recruitment effort in our schools, without encountering resistance.
FRO 98.5 FM www.frolympia.org
Mon, 01/23/2006 - 3:32pm — The Fire Inside

No, your question of whether

No, your question of whether or not someone is able to "pass for white" is completely relevent and is actually important.

I can, and do, pass for white. I even carry a European surname (my Hispanic side is maternal). If I don't mention my Hispanic side very few people would actually notice, though some have recognized I am not completely European.

I'm pretty indifferent to their "doctrine of hate and their recruitment efforts among youth" because, by and large, it's an irrelevent organization. Now, if people started becoming elected on the Nazi platform then yes, I would probably begin to worry and campaign against it. This is not the case, though. It's like the Black Panther Party (to use a radical minority group). I wouldn't worry about their organization, either. For the most part both of these organizations, and other radical groups based on racial superiority, are harmless.

They step up to the microphone, preach the usual garbage, and then leave. Usually it's only a handful who come in support, though that's not always the case. In any event, even their large rallies fail to draw any significant number.

Do you remember what happened in Toledo a few months ago? The rioting wasn't started by the actual neo-Nazis who were marching but by the amount of people who showed up to counter-demonstrate. As we saw yesterday, far more people come out against than in support.

In fact, that's how desperate they are for attention. Only nine showed up (looking like they were ready for a World War II re-enactment) and, probably in order to ensure there was at least a blurb about them in the local paper, had to organize in front of The Olympian.

I'm not indifferent because I agree, I just don't see them as a dangerous political group.

I noticed you commented in The Olympian's section on their story. I can assure you that a neo-Nazi platform won't get someone elected into a national, or even state, seat.

Now, individually, I would probably exercise caution if they were around. I don't attribute this to the actual neo-Nazi party, though, and more to the fact that people in any organization (a gang, Nazi party, et cetera) share a common trait that, generally speaking, tend to be from a lower income bracket and are poorly educated. They would gravitate to any group that welcomes and accepts them.

Mon, 01/23/2006 - 3:51pm — djmega

Okay, but what about neo-nazi

Okay, but what about neo-nazi recruitment efforts in public schools and the racial violence it foments? not a problem worth addressing? i grew up in the south, and there were neo-nazis in the youth community. they used to come to the park just to beat up the people who disagreed with them. and in some communities, including Olympia, race-hate has resulted in murder.

and what about the possibility that people who are secretly associated with neo-nazi groups and espouse a doctrine of racial separation or ethnic cleansing can be and have been elected to public office or serve as police officers in our communities? if we let neo-nazis march through our town with swastika flags with no resistance, aren't we basically giving haters the go-ahead to implement their agenda by our complacency?

FRO 98.5 FM www.frolympia.org
Mon, 01/23/2006 - 4:45pm — The Fire Inside

What would you suggest doing

What would you suggest doing about the neo-Nazi recruitment effort?

I think public education should be that: education. Stick to the reading, 'riting, and 'rithmatic and forbid any group outside of campus from organizing.

Of course, if you think outside parties should be allowed to organize on campus, the Nazi party has every right to set-up shop just as much as anyone else.

I'm not quite sure how to answer your second question. Your point about complacency breeding more action on the part of the neo-Nazi movement in Olympia is certainly a genuine point. I just don't think, though, that it will happen. Can I prove it? No, I can't. If you really feel action countering Nazi organization is important but all means, do it.

I just don't think inaction or indifference to a group of a dozen people will lead to some widespread problem in the community.

I haven't seen anything in Olympia, in all the years I have been here, which would lead me to believe I should be concerned about white supremacism.

Mon, 01/23/2006 - 4:58pm — Sarah

The murder of a young man by

The murder of a young man by white supremacists doesn't concern you? Leafletting and vandalism done to inspire fear in targetted communities doesn't concern you?
Mon, 01/23/2006 - 4:39pm — olympiagal

fire: i am not going to argue

fire: i am not going to argue with you even tho i disagree with most posts by you. i would like to know what exactly you think if this kind of statement against jews, african americans and latino folks on the website of the nazi's who were in Oly or if you care at all: http://www.nukeisrael.com/why.htm personally, i think all racists must be confronted. the kind that are overt such as those here yesterday and the kind that are covert and/or practice institutionalized racism. my 2 cents.
—
FIGHT THE POWER. NO RULERS NO MASTERS. SMASH CAPITALISM. that is all.
Mon, 01/23/2006 - 5:05pm — The Fire Inside

I think their first point is

I think their first point is right, regarding war crimes after the Second World War. Although it's funny being in agreement with anything on their website, Dresden, Tokyo, and other firebombing tactics used by Allied forces is discussed by many today.

They're right: When you win a war, you generally don't stand trial.

Now, onto the more interesting stuff.

"The History channel is owned by Disney/ABC/Capital Cities which is controlled by the vile JEW Michael Eisner who is Chairman and CEO."

Do you really get bent out of shape over this? If anyone watches South Park, this is something Eric Cartman would be saying. I think it's humorous more than anything.

"CBS evening news is really CBS evening Jews."

Their section on "Politically Correct Racism" does raise a few points I agree with. For instance, if there were a station called "White Entertainment," how many people do you think would be up in arms and make the declaration that it is a racist channel? I'm not saying there shouldn't be a Black Entertainment (BET) because it's a private company and they can direct their programming to whomever they see fit but, it is fair to ask whether a similar station directed toward the white population would be accepted.

I think Black History Month is ridiculous in the same way I think Hispanic Heritege Month is. Why in the world would you only set one day aside to learn about certain accomplishments? Shouldn't they be discussed at any point of the year, when relevent? I think creating all of these "feel good" months/weeks/parades actually makes a group inferior, as if they're simply being tossed a bone because a group of white people feel sorry for past events.

Thu, 01/26/2006 - 11:06am — Liberal Girl

Fire, I think that what y

Fire, I think that what you're missing is that what NSM, Minute Men, and other white supremacist groups represent is like an iceberg. You see this tiny sliver of over the top hate in their ridiculous costumes and their caricature rhetoric and you laugh at their small numbers and the reaction to those small numbers. But like an iceberg they represent something much much more dangerous. They represent a larger underlying sentiment from those that are not active and do not organize who greatly outnumber the face. They also represent those who are smart enough to know that being the public face of racism could be dangerous to their ambitions. So they harbour this hatred and even a lot of these over the top beliefs quietly and speak of the more subtley and in code. Codes that other racists like themselves understand, like using the term "secular" instead of Jew. About BET and the White Entertainment Network. Have you seen ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, etc.? I think we already have a few "white entertainment" networks. And white history month? Did you study history in the public school system? What else did you study but white history? If the system wasn't so weighted on "whitey's" side then yes, I'd have to agree that Black History Month would be a ridiculous concept. But the truth is those months aren't just for blacks or hispanics to get a chance to study their own history but a time for EVERYONE to pull their noses out of the extremely skewed white history that the public school systems teach.
Thu, 01/26/2006 - 11:42am — The Fire Inside

The MinuteMan Project is a "w

The MinuteMan Project is a "white supremacist" group? How so? Because they're a concerned group of private citizens who are fed up with the government doing nothing about a border situation which is, quite frankly, out of control? You do know their movement is not limited to the US-Mexican border and has moved to the US-Canadian border as well, right?

Yes, I studied history in the public education system. I also studied history at a private college. I don't think, in public education, you study a history because of how "white" it is but rather how closely related it is to the history of our country. Don't take this as my stamp of approval for the public education system being adequate, it's just that the focus on European/"white" American history has more to do with being lazy about the cirriculum than covert ("institutionalized") racism.

The focus in public education is to educate the largest amount of people possible in the shortest amount of time. While we didn't cover a lot about the African continent in public education, we also skimmed over the Asia, South America, and Central America as well as the Middle Eastern region (although, having not been in public education after 9/11, I would hope they're at least giving more people a better background, since it's so relevent today).

I still stand by my belief that Black History Month, as well as Hispanic History Month, is simply designed to make people feel good about themselves because of past transgressions.

Thu, 01/26/2006 - 12:16pm — Rick

I find it reckless to hold ce

I find it reckless to hold certain positions (e.g., "Nazis are no big deal'", "Black History Month is ridiculous", or "Non-gender-specific marriage will result in polygamy"), just because you can craft something that vaguely resembles a logical argument. It may seem "cool" to engage in this intellectual exercise, but it just ends up providing cover for more radical positions, such as "Jews are evil", "African Americans are inferior", and "Gay/lesbians don't deserve civil rights". Personally, I find it tiresome.
—

Beware the terrible simplifiers.
Jacob Burckhardt
Thu, 01/26/2006 - 12:49pm — The Fire Inside

I can't take responsibility f

I can't take responsibility for the radical element in a position.

I said the neo-Nazi group is not a big deal simply because they lack any real threat to the community at large, whether it's as a political organization or the potential for physical harm. There's been one cited instance in the Olympia community, over a decade ago, which was caused by two individuals who participated in the neo-Nazi movement. Hardly a cause for alarm.

The other cited threat, distributing written material, is just as protected as any other publication. Beyond countering with your own material, there's little any of us could do to prevent them from taking this course of action.

As far as non-gender specific marriage having unintended consequences, only the judicial system will be able to ultimately determine that. I was simply throwing that scenario out there because there are cases which presently come before the court regarding polygamy. It's not far-fetched to simply look down the line and examine how the court might potentially rule should certain events transpire.

If we are supposed to read into a position as "providing cover for more radical positions," I should view The Evergreen State College as providing cover for a former student who was convicted in the death of a Northern California police officer. It was TESC, after all, which invited a convicted cop-killer, Mumia Abu-Jamal, to give a commencement speech via video (which consequently resulted in then-Governor Gary Locke backing out of the ceremonies).

In fact, the California incident even generated coverage from the Washington Post in an article entitled, "Murder, Incorporated?" (April 4, 2005).

A writer in Seattle urged "solidarity with cop killers" and celebrated that "another one bites the dust." A poster in Washington, D.C., suggested that Mickel, with his military service, might be a government "agent provocateur" engaged in "a disinformation ploy" to discredit the aims of the left. Somebody in Oregon wrote, "I'm not worried about the dead cop -- [expletive] him." Instead, the message continued, "I'm worried about playing into their hands. Shooting that cop will be remembered as the first major step in publicly criminalizing anti-corporate activism."

To Evergreen State College, a liberal bastion in Olympia, Wash., where students do not get letter grades and are free to pursue independent study. In his freshman year, he took a class called "Barking at the Moon" with professor Sara Rideout Huntington, where they studied the use of metaphor and read a Cormac McCarthy novel, watched Susan Sontag films and delved into the meaning of kitsch. Afterward, Mickel spent a year on "an individual contract," as Evergreen State calls it, working on his writing under the guidance of Huntington.

Mickel went to the West Bank and Colombia with human rights groups. He became interested in the Palestinian cause and the U.S. role in Latin America. He joined rallies against the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund.

Should I start holding TESC responsible for "providing cover for more radical positions?"

The entire article can be found here

Thu, 01/26/2006 - 12:56pm — Rick

Not a good argument -- "but,

Not a good argument -- "but, but, what about THEM!."
—

Beware the terrible simplifiers.
Jacob Burckhardt
Thu, 01/26/2006 - 1:08pm — The Fire Inside

If you're going to try and ho

If you're going to try and hold my position accountable for protecting a radical element, it would only make sense to point out the same can be said for every position.

Unless you come out in support of the radical portion in an ideology, I'm not going to hold you accountable for it.

Thu, 01/26/2006 - 1:31pm — Sarah

Thank you Rick, you just deft

Thank you Rick, you just deftly summarized what I so have difficulty with when I meet it in conversation.
Thu, 01/26/2006 - 12:28pm — Liberal Girl

I am aware that the Minute Me

I am aware that the Minute Men have moved to the US Canadian border. But if you'll let them speak for themselves, this is about a lot of personal racism against "brown" people.

Simcox from Arizona's Herald Today:

"It's a public safety issue because 30 percent of crimes are committed by aliens," said Simcox, who cites no source for the statistic. "There's an explosion of vicious gangs with no respect for human life that target us because of soft laws."

And from their recruitment (from The Arizona Daily Star):

The Minuteman Project is being touted now as a "political assembly" promising to bring 1,022 people to the banks of the San Pedro River for a monthlong protest of border enforcement, starting Friday. But activist groups point to elements within the group and cite a potential for violence.

Last year, one of its leaders, Chris Simcox, was convicted on federal weapons charges. More recently, the white supremacy group Aryan Nation has openly recruited for the Minuteman Project, promoting the monthlong protest as a "white pride event."

Do you think that "brown" people don't come from Canada? There have been reports of a chilling effect on the economies of the Washington towns that border Canada where people come to shop. That being of Middle Eastern descent is all that it takes to draw the attention of the "border patrols" and anyone who isn't obviously of European descent is subject to harrassment. Now, we may have porous borders but the obviously race based vigilante behaivior of the Minutemen is manifestly racist in so many ways. Sorry about the total run on but I have NO idea how line breaks work on this board.

Thu, 01/26/2006 - 12:34pm — Rick

How to make line breaks.

How to make line breaks.

Welcome to Olyblog.

Update: I added formating to your comment so that you could see an example.

—

Beware the terrible simplifiers.
Jacob Burckhardt
Thu, 01/26/2006 - 12:36pm — Liberal Girl

Thanks Rick. Liberal G

Thanks Rick.

Liberal Girl
Thu, 01/26/2006 - 12:34pm — Liberal Girl

In response to the history po

In response to the history portion of your reply. So because white people dominated the way events were veiwed for so long they really are not only the important history but also truly the shaping history? I think that is both lazy and inaccurate. Because a group claims self-importance doesn't really make them as important as that. Many portions of this country, it's culture, it's economic situation, its politics were shaped by other cultures. Asians, blacks, native americans, hispanics. To dismiss this history as not relevant or not as important as what the white man did is slothful and degrading to those that really did contribute to the shaping of this country and its policies.
Thu, 01/26/2006 - 1:06pm — The Fire Inside

I'm going to answer down here

I'm going to answer down here.

I support the Minuteman Project for at least trying to do something about the border situation. Each individual state has, over the years, simply yielded this responsibility to the federal government. In turn, the federal government has done little. We are seeing, though, individual states beginning to take back responsibility, which is a good thing.

Naturally, the Aryan Nation (and other far right-wing groups) are going to flock to the Minuteman Project, simply because of common interest (enforcing border policies). The way each person reaches this conclusion might be vastly different but, in the end the same conclusion is reached. I agree, those who are "brown" are going to draw more attention. Is this racist? You could certainly view it as such. But, if you were in Southern California (or Arizona, New Mexico, or Texas), "brown" is the overwhelming majority of those who are here illegally (and, for that matter, across the nation).

This is no different than Polish and Irish immigrants who originally came to the US. When a certain group is the largest they're going to be targeted.

I'm not trying to justify, I'm simply trying to put it in perspective.

Thu, 01/26/2006 - 1:16pm — The Fire Inside

Liberal Girl:Would you argue,

Liberal Girl:

Would you argue, then, that those who can trace their lineage from areas other than Western Europe have had a larger impact in shaping our government and policies than those who hail from Western Europe?

Thu, 01/26/2006 - 1:47pm — Liberal Girl

I didn't say larger. I just s

I didn't say larger. I just said in many cases and in many areas equal impact. It really does depend on what area you are from regionally. A lot of Minnesota's history is going to be shaped by different forces, more European forces, than parts of Northern California where the culture and politics have more Asian influence. And parts of the Southwest's culture and political history is going to be shaped by very different cultural and ethnic forces than those of the Northeast. By only telling one overarching and predominately white version of how our country became what it is today you are doing a disservice to the actual complexity of our hertiage. Also, do not assume that because those in power were generally of a Western European heritage that their decision making was not prejudiced by other ethnic groups within the culture. To whitewash history (no pun intended) is to discredit those that actually shaped and to create a false image that is both dishonest and intellectually lazy. It also creates a sense that besides slavery blacks created and contributed nothing to the shaping of policy (even bad policy) until the Civil rights movement, and asians contributed nothing but cheap labor in building the railroads. That native Americans were some sort of weird hippie greens that just worshipped nature or were war like against each other and the white man and had no cultural or political leanings. Everything is seen through the lens of the white power structure as opposed to the actual societal pressures that shaped this country. Because the white power structure and popular culture often made those that weren't white invisible doesn't mean that their effect was nonexistent. And that their contributions weren't equally important.
Thu, 01/26/2006 - 5:46pm — The Fire Inside

I never said the decision mak

I never said the decision making process wasn't "prejudiced" against the larger minority group.

Lord knows those shaping policy south of the border have viewed Latin Americans as inferior for a long, long time. Far more overt in racism than we could ever imagine today.

And yes, you're absolutely correct that certain regions in our own country do spend a portion of their time discussing groups which are relevent. Here in the Northwest that time is devoted to Native American history and contribution while, as you pointed out, in Northern California it's going to be spent on the Asian influence and in Florida on the Spaniards.

I was simply saying, by and large, most of the time allocated by the public school system is going to be devoated to the Western European influence simply because this group had the largest impact.

I'm not trying to downplay other contributions made by other groups but, for the sake of educating the largest amount of people with the most basic amount of information, Western European history is going to be the most discussed topic.

Now, when/if an individual does move into college, their history classes will be far more narrow.

Off of the top of my head, some of my history classes were entitled "Government and Politics of the Middle East," "Britain in 20th Century," "Government and Politics of Mexico," "Modern China," and "Inter-American Relations" (which dealt with the relationship not only between the US and other Latin American countries but also the relationship between Latin American countries).

Public education, unfortunately, is not designed (nor does it have the time) to get into such an in-depth look at other regions of the world or discuss the influence minority races have had in this country.