Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on March 4, 2020

A propaganda video produced by neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division showing supporters taking part in a shooting exercise at a white supremacist training camp. Photo: Screenshot.

An Arizona neo-Nazi involved in an antisemitic campaign of harassment against Jewish journalists and anti-hate activists will stay behind bars after a Phoenix judge determined that he remained a threat to the larger community.

Judge John Boyle ordered Johnny Roman Garza, 20, of Queen Creek, Arizona, to remain in jail following a hearing on Monday. Boyleexpressed skepticism regarding Garzas claim to have severed ties with the violent neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division, noting that officers discovered a bulletproof vest during a search of Garzas home.

Thats not something a 20-year-old would normally have, Boyle said.

Garza was one of four neo-Nazis arrested by the FBI on Feb. 26 in an operation across four states. The other members of the violent extremist group were named asCameron Brandon Shea, 24, of Redmond, Washington; Kaleb Cole, 24, of Montgomery, Texas; and Taylor Ashley Parker-Dipeppe, 20, of Spring Hill, Florida.

March 4, 2020 6:07 pm

The group focused primarily on Jewish or journalists of color, according to the FBI.

These defendants from across the country allegedly conspired on the internet to intimidate journalists and activists with whom they disagreed, said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers in a statement immediately following the arrests. This is not how America works. The Department of Justice will not tolerate this type of behavior.

One of the groups targets wasMala Blomquist, an editor for Arizona Jewish Life magazine. A poster glued to her house in early February displayed Nazi symbols alongside the threat, Your Actions Have Consequences.

My home is my sanctuary. To have somebody impede upon you like that, its never OK, Blomquist who is not Jewish herself told local broadcaster KSL.com on Monday. The fact somebody came on my property and put something that disgusting on my window, that bothered me. I dont want to say PTSD for people who really have it, but it was a traumatic experience.

In a previous interview with ABC News, Blomquist remarked thata lot of people who arent Jewish dont realize that antisemitism, hate crimes are on the rise.

Continued Blomquist: Weve got to fight the hate. Youve got to come forward. Its that adage if you see something, say something. We cant hide anymore.

According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) , the Atomwaffen Division German for atomic weapons emerged in 2016, created by members of Iron March, a now-defunct white supremacist discussion forum.

Atomwaffen distinguishes itself by its extreme rhetoric, influenced by the writings of a neo-Nazi of an earlier generation, James Mason, who admired Charles Manson and supported the idea of lone wolf violence, an ADL briefing explained. Members of Atomwaffen have already been connected to several murders in the groups short history.

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Arizona Neo-Nazi Who Threatened Editor at Jewish Publication in Harassment Campaign Will Remain Behind Bars, Judge Rules - Algemeiner

Category: Anti-Defamation League
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