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Scuffle Ensues when Neo-Nazis Unfurl Hitler Flag at Tea Party Rally

A scuffle ensued Saturday when members of the National Socialist Movement (Neo-Nazis) found themselves shut out of an anti-immigration Tea Party protest at the Phoenix capitol.

American Citizens United, who organized the Phoenix Tea Party rally, told the Neo-Nazi group that racist messages were not welcome at the demonstration. The Neo-Nazis left, but two returned, standing defiantly on the sidewalk that borders the designated protest area.

Crossposted from The Huffington Post

When JT Ready, one of the Neo-Nazis tried to unfurl an Adolf Hitler flag, one of the event organizers became enraged and tried to rip the flag from Ready’s hands. The other Neo-Nazi was holding a Confederate flag and a sign that read, “Bring our soldiers home, and put them on the Mexican border.” Ready responded by shoving the organizer, sending him tumbling to the ground several feet away.

Police quickly intervened, and no one was hurt.

Video shot by Phoenix Channel 3 News, shows the event unfold, and the Neo-Nazi can be seen screaming throughout the incident, “You can’t assult me! You can’t assault me!” Then, after police intervene, he yells, “If you assault me, I get to assault you.”

Watch the video from Phoenix Channel 3 News:

Ironically, New Times columnist Stephen Lemons, a stalwart activist for immigrants, was also asked to leave.

The Phoenix rally was one of dozens of similar demonstrations hosted across the country today by American Citizens United to voice opposition to immigration reform legislation that could be introduced into Congress as early as next month.

Police estimated that more than 200 protestors attended the rally.


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/ 36 Comments

36 comments

  1. Shaun Appleby

    Surprise, surprise.  I think we are in for a roller coaster ride of cringe.  This tea party nonsense is giving permission for dark things to arise and walk the Earth once more.  Does anyone have a clear notion of what the tea party ‘movement’ stands for besides being angry and expressing whatever misanthropic nonsense comes into your head?  Their placards are like word association tests for bigotry.

    That they wrap this gooey filling in a light pastry of superficial patriotism and arrogant ignorance makes for an irresistible media confection.  The McCain campaign started this late last year with their out-of-hand rallies and now the twisted little genie is out of the bottle.

  3. Chris Blask

    Hi folks,

    Last I passed my comments to this group they were along the lines of cautioning against fostering a fringe that you would not want to be associated with.  

    We all likely agree that the Muslim community is best served by stating loud and often that they completely condemn the actions of extremists hiding in their midst.  We also likely all agree that by failing to frequently and clearly call out the extremists hiding in their midst the Muslim community fosters by silence these extremists and in the end bears some of the responsibility for their actions.  While it is common to hear from members of the Muslim community that they do not feel the need to denounce extremism simply because it claims to emerge from their realm, failing to make extraordinary efforts to do so is a significant part of the ill-will reflected on the Muslim community as a whole.

    In precisely the same way, the 9/12/anti-administration movement has in the opinion of many been at the very least skirting the territory of extremely unsavory groups which it would rather not be associated with.  This community would also be best served by clearly and frequently communicating condemning and disassociating from extremists hiding in its midst.

    This is what happened yesterday at an anti-immigration rally in Pheonix:

    http://www.azfamily.com/news/I…

    …………..

    “That’s a completely, you know, racist organization,” said Jim Fairmont of American Citizens United. “This is not about racism, it’s about law enforcement. Period.”

    When JT Ready, one of the Neo-Nazis tried to unfurl an Adolf Hitler flag, one of the event organizers became enraged and tried to rip the flag from Ready’s hands. The other Neo-Nazi was holding a Confederate flag and a sign that read, “Bring our soldiers home, and put them on the Mexican border.” Ready responded by shoving the organizer, sending him tumbling to the ground several feet away.

    …………..

    I cannot endorse Mr. Farimont’s actions enough.  He made it entirely clear where his group stands.

    I offer this as a cautionary note.  

    I believe that the members of this group – like the members of American Citizens United – do not support Neo Nazis or others in that fringe zone anymore than the average Muslim supports Al Qaeda.  However, the fact that Neo Nazis are drawn to events like the one in Pheonix – and the fact that they are drawn to much of the same content and rhetoric that I see both referenced in this group and elsewhere being referenced by 9/12 supporters – suggests that it is not out of bounds to suggest that it is wise for members of groups like this one to go out of their way to denounce any and all such groups.

    There is little that I believe more strongly in than a fully engaged social debate between respectable and supportable voices.  Don’t allow extremists to taint yours.

    -best

    -chris blask

    I may just get kicked out again, but it’s for a good cause…

  4. Shaun Appleby

    Now it’s climate change:


    BOCA RATON –  Former Vice President Al Gore’s global-warming speech Saturday night at Mizner Park drew about a thousand attendees, as well as more than 200 loud protesters.

    Stationed outside the Mizner Park Amphitheater, the protesters jeered at Gore as he took the podium and at those walking into the open-air venue to listen to the speech.

    “This is the most dangerous crisis we’ve ever faced,” Gore said of climate change. He spoke over a chorus of boos from protesters, who were monitored by at least a dozen uniformed city police officers.

    Many of the protesters were with the groups Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow and South Florida Tea Party, the latter of which feels that Gore’s views will eventually lead to increased taxes and flawed business legislation.

    Sofia Santana – Gore heckled at climate speech Sun Sentinel 15 Nov 09

    As if another ice age wouldn’t be a problem, sigh…  By the time these people realise that the inerrant word of God is no protection from making our planet inhabitable praying will be our only option.  In the current context of what passes for media reporting in the United States this could be a dangerous trend.  This is an extension of the kind of behaviour that Fox incites.  And it was clearly evident the McCain-Palin campaign gave permission for it in the closing days of the presidential campaign.  From where I sit this has a lot to do with a black man with a foreign sounding name winning the presidency, frankly.  And it is not a pretty sight.

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