The Aryan Nations Saga Continues:
Hate Compound Sold, Armed Aryans Plan March
MHRN previously reported that Richard Butler, founder of Aryan Nations, formed a new group, the Aryan National Alliance. This was in response to a $6.3 million judgement against Aryan Nations that found it negligent in the training of guards who assaulted Victoria and Jason Keenan near the Aryan Nations compound in 1998. Part of this settlement gave the name "Aryan Nations" to the Keenans. Butler formed the new hate group to continue spreading his racist message. However, his affiliation with the new group was short-lived. A combination of internal bickering among Butler's racist allies and subsequent court rulings have caused him to abandon the Aryan National Alliance and re-establish Aryan Nations.
Attempting to protect his assets from being seized, Butler filed for bankruptcy in October 2000. The bankruptcy court ordered Aryan Nations' property to be sold at a public auction on February 13. During the court proceedings, Butler argued that the name "Aryan Nations" did not belong to him and could not be sold. Somewhat agreeing, the court ruled the name "Aryan Nations" would be sold without any guarantees. Thus, if the name "Aryan Nations" surfaced at a later date, it would be up to the purchaser to initiate legal action.
The Keenans were the highest bidder at the auction, acquiring the property for $250,000. In turn, they sold the hate compound to George Carr. Carr is the founder of Prodigy Internet Service and Harvard's Center for Human Rights Policy. He says he will keep the compound's main building intact as a monument to the hate still needing to be countered. He plans to turn the other structures into classrooms where people can learn about human rights.
Since the original judgement, some of Butler's allies have tried to distance themselves from him. On Aryan Nations' website, Butler said his fellow racists had "fled like capon chickens" and founded what they called "a ÎTrue' church that would be safe from attack and bad press." Following Butler's letter was a note saying the Aryan National Alliance no longer represented Butler.
The new group Butler refers to is the Church of True Israel (CTI), based in Noxon, Montana. CTI's founders have close connections to Butler and Aryan Nations. It is also connected to the Aryan National Alliance. The Alliance's website contained a link to a message board found on CTI's website. The Alliance's webmaster also left Butler to join CTI. Butler's anger comes from CTI's criticism of Butler's leadership of Aryan Nations. CTI's bylaws outline the inherent dangers associated with groups run by one man and use examples clearly related to Butler's recent legal problems. Seeing just enough leeway in the bankruptcy court's ruling, Butler has Aryan Nations back on the Internet and has put together a new staff.
Aryans Plan World Congress
Butler and his new staff have announced plans for the group's annual Aryan World Congress this summer. Since it no longer has a compound, Aryan Nations is holding the event at Farragut State Park near Athol, Idaho. The racist gathering will be from July 5-8.
The group has also announced plans for three parades in upcoming months. It also says its members intend to wear firearms during the parade on July 7th in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Law enforcement intends to arrest any racist with a firearm. The World Congress and parades are planned to send a message to north Idaho. "We are here, and we are here to stay," says Shaun Winkler, Aryan Nations' staff leader.