Neo-Nazis feel they can march with no shame; we must condemn and counter their rhetoric

Over the weekend, a gang of right-winged neo-Nazis known as the “Patriot Front” publicly identified themselves as white nationalists marched through Nashville.

As a community and an organization which has been targeted and threatened by similar white supremacist groups, we stand united against this hatred.

We collectively refuse to allow these acts to be normalized. These actors of ancestral amnesia are seeking attention while hiding behind the masks of oppression and shame.

We fought to eradicate Nazis. A rise in fascism has brought them back.

We will not accept people shamelessly identifying themselves as Nazis or attempting to align themselves with this hateful ideology in Nashville.

Regardless of no physical harm taking place from their marching, the disturbing imagery was not taken lightly.

The disgusting rhetoric and hateful actions of these white supremacists represent the worst of us, but we will rise above their ignorance, recklessness and wickedness.

As we advance, we look forward to strategizing with community partners on new methods to proactively counter the terroristic activity of such groups and prevent it in the future.

In solidarity,

Jonathan Williamson, president, NAACP Nashville Branch

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville NAACP head: Neo-Nazis must face public condemnation, shame