Sacramento Attorney Danny Brace Defends Neo-Nazi William Planer

 

On June 26th of last year, members of the Neo-Nazi gang the Golden State Skinheads (GSS) and the Traditionalist Worker Party (TWP) stormed the California State Capital grounds after an overwhelming turnout of antifascist protesters cancelled their rally. The Neo-Nazis came armed with bats, shields, knives, and guns, and sent 9 individuals to the hospital, many of whom sustained critical injuries and stab wounds. Of the twenty Neo-Nazis present that day, one, William Scott Planer, is currently facing charges.

Sacramento County Jail booked Planer on September 9th after being extradited from the El Paso County Jail in Colorado Springs, where he’d been held since July 14th of this year. He was originally arrested and charged with vandalizing the Chabad Lubavitch of Southern Colorado after being caught on camera affixing a sticker to the door of the synagogue that read “fight terror, nuke Israel” late one night. El Paso Country Jail held him for nearly two months on $500,000 bail and a “fugitive from justice” hold. The hold as a result of a warrant due for his arrest out of Sacramento, where he’s charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor riot for the attacks he participated in on June 26th. The vandalism case in Colorado is now behind him, and the case here in Sacramento is underway.

Planer is affiliated with both the Golden State Skinheads (GSS) and the Traditionalist Worker Party (TWP). As a highly active and well connected member of the White Nationalist movement, the Nazis did not forget him after his arrest in Colorado and subsequent incarceration. Soon after his arrest, the leaders of TWP, Matthew Heimbach and Matt Parrot, launched a crowd funding campaign to raise money for his bail and legal defense using the now-defunct crowdfunding platform Rootbocks.com, a website commonly used by white supremacists and Neo-Nazis due to its anti-censorship mission. Rootbocks’ web host shut down the site on August 14th and cut off by its payment service, and despite attempts to find a new web host, it remains offline. It is unclear if those doing Planer’s support work ever obtained the the money raised by the campaign, but the fundraiser page itself no longer exists. However, while Planer’s defense fund was still up, almost $15,000 was raised. The money came from supporters from all over the world, many of whom left comments about their support for and commitment to the white nationalist cause on the fundraiser page after donating.

As well as being the leader of TWP, Matt Parrot is also one of the founders of the Traditionalist Youth Network (TYN), a group that promotes white supremacy.

 

Here’s a screenshot of three of the donations to the online William Planer defense fund. If you notice in the top comment the number 88 is a popular number among white nationalists because H is the eighth letter of the alphabet, so the 88 ends up standing for “Heil Hitler”.

 

Upon arriving at the Sacramento County Jail, William Planer’s bail was raised to $600,000. As a twice-convicted felon looking at his third strike if convicted in his current case, it’s clear he’s going to need a good lawyer. So, the local members of GSS, the leaders of TWP, and the white nationalist movement as a whole, managed to hire long standing Sacramento lawyer Danny D. Brace to represent William Planer. As stated on his website, bracelaw.com, the law firm that Danny Brace practices out of which has been in the same location since 1984. It takes a certain kind of person to willingly represent a Neo-Nazi who participated in assaults and stabbings of anti-racist protesters, but given Brace’s track record, no one should be surprised. Affectionately referred to as “Dump Truck Dan” by past clients burned by his poor performance, Danny Brace has a history of working for those who commit racist violence. As recently as three years ago he represented Joseph Paul Leonard, a man tried for committing the racially motivated murder of Toussaint Harrison and the attempted murder of Toussaint’s friend, Justin Oliphant. After just two days of deliberation, the jury convicted Leonard of both first degree murder and attempted murder, both with a hate crime enhancement, and sentenced to 32 to life.

Now, Brace is solidifying his reputation as defender of racist scum by representing a violent Neo-Nazi. It is unacceptable that Brace is accepting the money of Neo-Nazis and White Nationalists in exchange for defending a known white supremacist, especially one who has attacked anti-racist protesters and sent them to the hospital. These actions cannot go unopposed. Help us spread the word about Brace, who he is funded by, and the kinds of people he likes to defend- you can leave reviews of Danny Brace and Brace Law on Yelp, Google, and Yellow Pages. His law firm is located at 901 H St, suite 500, Sacramento CA, 95814, the office phone number is (916) 447-0592, and Danny Brace’s email is dbrace@bracelaw.com. Feel free to get in touch with him and let him know how you feel about him accepting the money of white supremacists and defending a violent Neo-Nazi.

The wounding of 9 anti-racist protesters on June 26th of 2016 did not happen in a vacuum. The actions that William Planer participated in and that Danny Brace is defending are part of a broader fascist movement being pushed forward by white supremacist groups in the United States. The stabbings by members of the Golden State Skinheads are directly connected to the violence that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia when a white supremacist ran his vehicle into a crowd of anti-racist protesters, killing the protestor Heather Heyer, and injuring many more. They are directly connected to the hate crimes, shootings, murders, and attempted murders that are cropping up all over the nation. They are affiliated with a White Nationalist movement that puts immigrants, protesters, and black, brown, and queer communities under threat of violence. More than that, their actions are rooted in the history of white supremacy that stains the soil of this stolen land. We cannot expect the state to protect us from this threat, not when the state itself is one of the greatest enforcers and producers of the racist social order. William Planer sits in a jail cell because the state seeks to maintain a monopoly on violence, not because his actions go against its principles. We must look to each other and fight back, nationally and locally. White supremacists and those who would defend them must be opposed and disrupted at every stage of their organizing, by any means available.

Jack “Pale Horse” Corbin doxxed!

It must have come as quite a surprise to prominent 8chan troll and frequent antifascist doxxer Jack “Pale Horse” Corbin when he found himself on the receiving end of the same odious tactics he usually wields to his own advantage. Corbin was ironically outed in his own stomping grounds as Jake Philip Loubriel of Ft. Lauderdale Florida, whose Facebook account identifies his employer as “Antifa Exposed”, position “field ops and admin”.

At this point most of us have become aware of and probably feel some sense of dread around the ever-present spectre of doxxing, or the publishing of personal, identifying information about targeted individuals online with the stated intent of causing them immediate, tangible harm. This threat is ever-present for antifascists, whose work to counter violent bigots and their organizations and coalitions – as well as entrenched, systemic bigotry and oppression – makes us subject to real life repercussions from online identification. This includes potentially murderous backlash from fascists, whether they be covert or unapologetic, and the real possibility of increased state violence, such as arrest and incarceration. That there are those who seek to build identity and gain satisfaction by attempting to exploit this paradigm is not exactly news.

Those who are familiar with the amoral cesspool that is 8ch.net/pol/, the home of the “Politically Incorrect – politics, news, happenings, and current events” understand that this forum is rife with deeply avowed racists, homophobes, transphobes, and misogynists. Mama’s basement Nazis and alt-right keyboard wizards of all stripes cordon off this territory, where a large percentage of the intelligence gathering and identitfying work of doxxing antifascists is accomplished. A singular, abysmal culture has emerged in this space, where dedicated bigots with seemingly all the time in the world to comb through online videos, photo stills, social media and public records can compete for praise from other anonymous contributors, who refer to each other as simply “anons”. Participants horrifically praise each other for “doing the Lord’s work”, while describing acts of violence they imagine being enacted on those they are exposing. They proudly serve as a conduit of information to local and federal law enforcement and fantasize about and glorify arrest, prosecution and other state violence against POC and other marginalized groups they have generated content to attempt to malign. It’s not uncommon to witness an “anon” bragging about having combed over protest videos for 12 or more consecutive hours, and being awarded with the carrot of “Bless you, anon!” by their flagrantly hateful peers. Conspiracies about Soros-funded far left activity and fantasies of racialized vigilante justice (up to and including brutal assault, murder and prison rape) seem to be an uninterrupted norm.

It’s in this rare habitat that Jack “Pale Horse” Corbin has long inhabited a prominent role. To say that his participation has been robust would be an understatement – when scrolling through posts it becomes obvious that two out of three will originate from 2aa6a2, his assigned posting number. Although most anons, even frequent posters such as dfac16 and 5903e7 are content to be – well, anonymous – user 2aa6a2 is so proud of and invested in his work he will often customize his posts with the signature, “Jack ‘Pale Horse’ Corbin – you’re welcome”. Although his participation has been noted since the aftermath of the clash between 400+ unaffiliated antifascists and the white nationalist groups Traditional Workers Party, Blood and Honor and the Golden State Skinheads on June 26, 2016 in Sacramento, CA, he seems to have a particular investment in revealing, tormenting and inviting interpersonal violence and state repression on those who were present to counter the Unite the Right gathering of fascist groups in Charlottesville, VA on August 12th of this year. His dedication to his cause eclipses most forms of common decency, as he is not afraid to allude to the possibility of misogynistic violence and sexual assault as outcomes of his campaigns, and is not averse to naming and endangering the minor children of those he targets.

Those who live, work, and operate in the vicinity of South Florida should be aware of the presence of this repugnant, noxious perpetrator and understand what he represents and is capable of. Anyone who engages in public protest and activism of any kind (but especially of the antiracist/antifascist variety) should be aware of his tactics and that of those who seek to emulate them, and should always take precautions accordingly. Let’s remain conscious of the dangers that come from those who would do harm to us or those we love, always counter them, and help keep each other safe.

Alt-Right Operational Document Shows Planning for Richard Spencer’s Gainesville Visit, Involvement of Would-be Murderers

On October 19, white nationalist leader Richard Spencer held a speaking event at the University of Florida campus in Gainesville. Spencer was met by a large anti-fascist mobilization organized by the #NoNazisAtUF coalition and supported by anti-racists from throughout the South. The event was a clear victory for anti-racists. Spencer was jeered and frequently drowned out from inside the venue, and ended his event ahead of schedule. Two thousand protesters simultaneously rallied outside, with many in the crowd confronting and chasing the white supremacists who showed up for Spencer. The University of Florida spent approximately $600,000 to protect the white power leader; the Governor declared a State of Emergency ahead of time; but a broad-based anti-racist/anti-fascist coalition nevertheless won the day.

Small numbers of white power militants sitting in front rows at Richard Spencer’s University of Florida event before rest of audience admitted

After Spencer’s event had ended, a vehicle containing white nationalists from Texas provoked, then fired a shot at protesters waiting at a bus stop just outside of campus. Nobody was hit. William Fears, Colton Fears, and Tyler Tenbrink were eventually found and charged with attempted homicide. According to police, it was Tyler Tenbrink that fired the shot.

L-R: Tyler Tenbrink, William Fears and Colton Fears

A planning document for Richard Spencer’s visit — which anti-racists accessed and which we are now publishing in full — suggests that the would-be killers from Texas were not mere supporters of Richard Spencer, but traveled to campus as part of Spencer’s operational plan for the day. The operational document also reveals details such as there being an after-party for Alt-Right militants who assisted with the Gainesville event, and that Spencer and other “VIPs” planned dinner with donors while visiting the city.

 
The operational plan developed for Gainesville by Richard Spencer’s closest associates reveals coordination with both the University of Florida and police, with both parties described by the Alt-Right racists as “cooperating.” According to the plans distributed to staff at Spencer’s National Policy Institute, The Patriot Front, an openly fascist organization, was a key organization participating in the racist “Task Force” for Gainesville. The planning document appears to have made plans for larger numbers of white nationalists than showed up, again pointing to Gainesville as a flop for Richard Spencer’s movement. This defeat happened at a time when the racist “Alt-Right” is desperate for any sort of win, in the aftermath of the bloody and disastrous “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville this August.
 
The “Operation Gator” document mentions that white nationalists had plans for a “flash mob” in the event that University of Florida cancelled Spencer’s speech — with racists showing up elsewhere on campus or in Gainesville to make their presence felt (with predictable intimidation and likely targeted violence). In actuality, Spencer did not have his speech cancelled by the University but rather cut it short himself after being humiliated by the student/community mobilization. The “Operation Gator” plan stated that participants ought not bring guns. However, it was in the context of political defeat (but not any University cancellation) that some of Spencer’s allies attempted to settle scores with anti-racists, nearly committing a murder.

Continue reading →

TORCH Anti-Fascist Network Statement on Dave Strano

It has come to our attention that Dave Strano of Redneck Revolt and the John Brown Gun Club has engaged in an ongoing pattern of behavior that is oppressive, exploitative, abusive, and which put comrades’ activities and well-being at risk. Strano’s behavior is in complete contradiction to what the TORCH Network stands for, as recorded in our Points of Unity.

TORCH Point of Unity #3:

“We oppose all forms of oppression and exploitation. We intend to do the hard work necessary to build a broad, strong movement of oppressed people centered on the working class against racism, sexism, nativism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination against the disabled, the oldest, the youngest, and the most oppressed people. We support abortion rights and reproductive freedom. We want a classless, free society. We intend to win!”

TORCH Point of Unity #4:

“We hold ourselves accountable personally and collectively to live up to our ideals and values.”

TORCH Point of Unity #5

“We not only support each other within the network, but we also support people outside the network who we believe have similar aims or principles. An attack on one is an attack on all.”

The TORCH Network declares itself in complete solidarity with the survivors of Dave Strano’s abusive behavior. Strano has caused serious harm across a number of groups over a sustained period of time. In creating a society free from fascist activity, we must also challenge and reject abusive behavior in our own movements and from those claiming to be allies. Therefore, we issue the following call.

For the TORCH Network, the only acceptable means of accountability from Dave Strano starts with his complete cessation of involvement with Redneck Revolt, the John Brown Gun Club, and other similar and allied groups. Though the TORCH Network has worked with these groups in the past, we hereby discontinue our involvement with them until Strano ceases to  be a part of these groups. We ask that any organization that seeks to work with the TORCH Network also issue a similar, allied call, and refuse to work with Strano and those involved with him. In line with our Points of Unity, we will neither work with nor support any organization that continues to have a relationship with Dave Strano.

Regional Anti-Racist Mobilization: Oppose White Nationalist Richard Spencer at University of Florida (Gainesville) Thursday October 19, 2017

We are calling for anti-racists from throughout the South to travel and oppose white power leader Richard Spencer, who will speak at the University of Florida in Gainesville on October 19. Our aim is a broad mobilization in solidarity with UF students and Gainesville residents, against white nationalist organizing.

Organizations should make travel plans for Gainesville right now. Spencer’s racist event has been officially confirmed. Details of the anti-racist counter-mobilization at UF will be announced soon. In the meantime, please spread this call to action far and wide. Commit to organizing numbers from your region to stand against the racist far-Right.

Richard Spencer is a key white nationalist leader and is one of the most prominent faces of the “Alt-Right.” While Richard Spencer portrays himself as fighting a battle of ideas for his “identitarian” cause — which Spencer denies is racist even as he organizes with neo-Nazis — the fact is that Spencer’s ideology requires organized violence for its goal of a whites-only state. Where Spencer goes, violence follows. When Spencer talked at Auburn University in Alabama on April 18, his neo-Nazi followers charged at students and anti-racists (the crowd stayed united and repelled the attack). On August 11-12, Spencer was one of the main leaders at the notorious “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. There on the night of Friday August 11, a mob of hundreds of white nationalists attacked students and counter-protesters, beating their opponents with tiki torches. Spencer called the white supremacist mobilization “absolutely amazing,” a “total victory,” and “politics at its most spectacular […] magical.” The white power attack led to one person suffering a stroke due to his injuries.

On the Saturday of the Spencer-endorsed “Unite the Right,” neo-Nazi James Alex Fields Jr. — pictured standing alongside members of the fascist Vanguard America organization earlier that day — rammed his car into anti-racist protesters, murdering Heather Heyer and injuring dozens more. Spencer disavowed Heyer’s murder to save face, yet his political agenda entailing mass violence and ethnic cleansing is clear. Until recently, Spencer was set to co-headline a far-Right rally with Vanguard America — the organization murderer Fields stood with — in North Carolina this December. (Spencer canceled for reasons that had nothing to do with Vanguard America’s politics.)

The Alt-Right has been linked to several other murders this year, such as in Maryland, New York and Oregon. Where the racist far-Right can grow unchallenged, more deaths will occur. We support community self-defense against movements that target immigrants, people of color, Jewish people, LGBTQ communities and leftists.

We urge a broad mobilization determined to stand together and to keep each other safe as we counter the militant white nationalists in Gainesville. We intend to win.

Call to Action endorsed by:

  • University of Florida Young Democratic Socialists of America (FL)
  • Tampa Food Not Bombs (FL)
  • Tampa Democratic Socialists of America (FL)
  • Street Groomers (GA)
  • St. Pete Food Not Bombs (FL)
  • Revolutionary Road Radio Show (FL)
  • Revolutionary Caucus (FL)
  • Refuge Ministries (FL)
  • Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (FL)
  • Orlando Antifascists (FL)
  • Northeast Georgia Democratic Socialists of America (GA)
  • Mutual Aid Disaster Relief – Tampa chapter (FL)
  • Metro Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America (GA)
  • Love Has No Borders (FL)
  • Industrial Workers of the World General Defense Committee
  • Gainesville Dream Defenders (FL)
  • Gainesville Antifascist Committee (FL)
  • Free States of Cobb and West Atlanta (GA)
  • Charleston Democratic Socialists of America (SC)
  • Black Lives Matter Tampa (FL)
  • Atlanta Resistance Medics (GA)
  • Atlanta General Defense Committee of the Industrial Workers of the World (GA)
  • Atlanta Antifascists (GA)
  • Anti-Racist Action Tallahassee (FL)
  • Anti-Fascist News
  • All Out Atlanta (GA)

Please get in touch if your organization is mobilizing for Gainesville and wants to endorse this call to action: oct19endorse@riseup.net

Support Mike Williams: Indigenous Elder and Sacramento Defender

Posted on It’s Going Down:

Longtime Sacramento activist and indigenous elder Mike Williams is one of three people of color who face charges stemming from the antifascist mobilization which shut down a neo-Nazi rally in June of 2016. Only one neo-Nazi, William Planer, is facing charges, and he was only arrested after vandalizing a synagogue in Colorado Springs, CO. Mike is currently facing massive charges and a high bail. Please support him here and share the fundraising link far and wide along with this article to raise awareness of his case.

On June 26th, hundreds of people from across Northern California and beyond mobilized and converged to protest against a rally called for by the Traditionalist Worker Party (TWP) and the Golden State Skinheads (GSS).

Members of the Golden State Skinheads (GSS) show off their swastika tattoos. Many of these same neo-Nazis would go on to stab protesters on June 26th.

Both organizations are open neo-Nazi groups and on that day proudly displayed shields carrying the “SS” logos along with swastika tattoos. In the ensuing clashes, several people were stabbed and some almost lost their lives, as the fascists yelled out racial slurs during their attack. As the neo-Nazis fled, they also dropped a handgun and another was seen in the waistband of one of the attackers. Clearly, these people came ready to injure, attack, and potentially kill. Those that had the courage to stand up to them deserve our complete support, especially in the face of such harsh and cruel charges from the State.

William Planer, the only member of the TWP and GSS to face charges for the Sacramento rally. Seen here giving a Nazi salute. Planer is a regular at various Alt-Right, neo-Nazi, and Trump rallies.

The TWP and GSS is linked to neo-Nazi and KKK groups across the US and is connected to a string of vandalism, assault, and violent crime. For instance, William Planer, the only person from the neo-Nazi side that has been taken into custody on charges stemming from the protest, was actually arrested in Denver after he vandalized a synagogue. In the past few months, Planer has also attended a variety of pro-Trump and Alt-Right rallies, wearing a shirt which reads, “Proud to Be Fascist.” Planer is no stranger to arrest and has a long and violent history. While TWP leaders have attempted to portray Planer as a “blue-collar Patriot,” like the other members of GSS and the TWP Planer is clearly a violent threat to whatever community he comes into contact with.

Derik Ryan Punneo armed with a knife. Members of TWP/GSS yelled racial slurs and attacked counter-demonstrators, injuring several with stab wounds.

Shortly after Planer was arrested, Nathan Lowry, aka “Leeroy Jenkins,” one of the leaders of GSS, was picked up by police on weapons charges, however received no charges springing from the Sacramento stabbings. Another violent member of the GSS who has long been identified by local activists, Derik Ryan Punneo, the neo-Nazi skinhead who was photographed in numerous instances stabbing people and also holding a bloody knife, still has yet to face any charges.

Derik Ryan Punneo of the Golden State Skinheads (GSS) and Traditionalist Worker Party (TWP)

Several months after the rally, Punneo, who has a long history of arrest, violent attacks, and attempted rape, was sent back to prison after assaulting his then girlfriend, also involved in neo-Nazi activism. Both Lowry and Punneo are a clear example of neo-Nazi groups like the TWP being filled with violent and sadistic people who are a danger to the community and those around them.

Handgun dropped by neo-Nazis on June 26th. They were also seen with another firearm as they escaped to their cars following violent clashes.

Those who stood up to the TWP and the GSS did so because they saw the clear threat that these people represent to our community. Unlike many of those within the Alt-Right, the Golden State Skinheads cannot hide behind their fancy haircuts and memes. We see these people for what they are: a violent and dangerous cancer that produces violence, assault, and racist intimidation. Drawing a line in the sand against them is not an attack on free speech, but instead a defensive act to preserve basic freedoms for all and keep our cities and towns free of their Hitler worshiping garbage.

Donate Here

  • Update: Fortunately Mike Williams is now out on bail, but please continue to circulate the fundraiser up above as funds are still needed. Thanks so much for the support!

@Squarespace: Stop Hosting White Supremacists

Squarespace, a popular web hosting service for businesses and creative professionals, is hosting white supremacist/neo-nazi groups: Identity Evropa, Radix Journal, and Richard Spencer’s National Policy Institute. Squarespace has been informed of this issue repeatedly by email, but has refused to take the websites down.

Hate websites violate Squarespace’s Acceptable Use Policy (section 6.2), forbidding users to “advocate bigotry or hatred against any person or group based on their race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual preference, age or disability.”

Identity Evropa is a white supremacist/neo-nazi “fraternity” for people of “European, non-Semitic heritage.” The group’s website distributes propaganda on “white identity” and “race, evolution, and behavior.”  The group’s physical activism includes spreading fascist-themed fliers on university campuses and holding anti-immigrant rallies that portray people of color as inherently criminal. Identity Evropa’s founder, Nathan Damigo, has committed violent hate crimes against people of color and was recently videotaped punching a woman in the face at a rally.

The National Policy Institute is led by Richard Spencer, a documented neo-nazi. NPI’s website distributes “research” on “understanding Jewish influence” and supposed “racial differences in intelligence, personality, and behavior.” Spencer describes immigration as a “proxy war” and argues that white America must “conquer or die.”

Radix Journal is a collection of white supremacist essays. Some speculate about “Eugenic” policies “to flush disloyalty from our gene pool.” Others complain of a “Jewish assault on Europeans” and the failure “to expel the freed slaves from the United States.”

Squarespace has been notified via abuse@squarespace.com, that these websites violate their Acceptable Use terms. Squarespace’s continued hosting of these websites constitutes a tacit endorsement of their content.

Squarespace also shares moral responsibility for the violent and threatening activity organized via these websites. Squarespace profits from neo-nazism and white supremacism as long as it retains Identity Evropa, Radix Journal, and the National Policy Institute as customers.

WE MUST NOT STAND FOR THIS.

Squarespace must end its business relationships with white supremacists. Tech companies must act in accordance with the principles they claim to support. Until Squarespace enforces its own Acceptable Use policy by REMOVING HATE SITES people of conscience should #BOYCOTTSQUARESPACE. Podcasts and other businesses with a social conscience should not accept Squarespace’s ad buys.

REJECT WHITE SUPREMACY.  #BOYCOTTSQUARESPACE

– –

Source:
https://www.change.org/p/squarespace-stop-hosting-white-supremacists