Diminished Aryan Nations Marches in Idaho
In early July, Aryan Nations held its annual World Congress in Idaho. Because the group lost its compound where the gathering has been held in the past in a lawsuit, the hate group held the meeting at Farragut State Park. Keeping with racist tradition, Aryan Nations had a parade in downtown Coeur d'Alene, ID.
On July 7, approximately 25 racists marched through the streets. The small turnout caused a slight logistical problem. The racists wanted to use all of their allotted time. They staggered the racists carrying banners and marched for a block and then stopped for a few minutes before proceeding. By doing this, the parade lasted about an hour.
Aryan Nations' founder Richard Butler marched in the parade, holding the hands of two little girls. A few of his staff were present, including Pennsylvania Posse Comitatus leader August Kreis and Aryan Nations' Wisconsin chapter leader, Michael McQueeny.
Heir to Racist Throne Dies
Aryan Nations has been struggling ever since it was slapped with a $6.3 million judgment in 2000 and lost its compound near Hayden Lake, ID. Adding to these problems is the death of Richard Butler's successor to Aryan Nations' racist throne, Neumann Britton.
In mid-August, Neumann Britton died of cancer. Along with Aryan Nations, Britton had worked with the American Nazi Party and was on the front lines of the fight against the civil rights movements in the 1960s. Tom Metzger of White Aryan Resistance said that Britton "struck terror in the hearts of integrationists" all over the South and was not a "couch potato Aryan." Butler has not announced his new successor; however, August Kreis seems to be positioning himself for that role.