Nazis: Get out of Los Angeles!

Too often, the struggle against racism is presented as an abstract undertaking, a matter of blatant attack rather than a furtive system of discrimination.

But in Miguel Fuentes’ world, on April 17, 2010, racism was as real as the tree lined park that shaded the arrival of the barefaced National Socialist Movement (NSM), the longest running white supremists neo-Nazi group in U.S. history.

As obvious as the swastika that bejeweled the metal shields of the militant force of about 50 or so white supremists was, Miguel remained bewildered by a city permit process which allowed the NSM to not only march and amplify their hate sermons, but also expend hundreds and thousands of tax payer dollars to protect them. Like many other protestors, that didn't make much sense to Miguel.

As Miguel biked around a crowd of hundreds of Los Angeles counter protestors, attempting to catch a glimpse of the neo-Nazis, he stopped to talk to us and give an urgent message to youth of America to wake up to racism and fight back.

“We’re all people, the human race… you know the Nazi scum, they’re ignorant, like, why do you they want to come, come to LA.”

To youth, 18 year old Miguel says, “You gotta educate yourself. Don’t be ignorant. We have to live in harmony… Without harmony there is no peace.”

Over 200 Los Angeles Police Department officers in full riot-gear faced off with Miguel and a crowd of angry protesters armed with the occasional egg and rock and setting off a cheer from the crowd at each release.

There was a smorgasbord of signs that read “No Nazi scum in L.A.” “United Against Racism” and “END RACISM, this is OUR City” and many more that created a human chain of written word and an assembly line of community activists.

The white supremists, oblivious to the mob of protestors while spewing their hate were drowned out by the sea of demonstrators, shouting through blow-horns and to the top of their lungs.

Chant: “Up up up with the people. Down, down, down with the Nazis”
Chant: “The people united, will never be defeated.”

One by one, NSM speakers took to the podium. Poised by unwavering “Sieg Heils” the speakers amplified their racist promotion of anti-immigrant, anti-Semitic and misogynistic epithets

Barring ignorance or perhaps the most misguided and erroneous source of information, one speaker turned on immigrants for stealing jobs and committing crimes.

While free speech continues to be exploited by certain groups to exercise hatred and racism, we believe in Miguel's message to focus our energy on building our political capital.

The NSM was granted a permit by the City of Los Angeles to use the south lawn of city hall for its demonstration. By strengthening and sustaining political capital, the community coalition against the neo-Nazi’s can push for reforming the permit approval process. Sounds like something quite doable in detering the rise of hate groups and as such, reduce the rise of existing hate crimes against our communities.