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Nationalist Social Club-131

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Nationalist Social Club-131, or NSC-131, is an American neo-Nazi organization; the numbers 131 are an alphanumeric code for "Anti-Communist Action".[4][5] It was founded in 2019 in eastern Massachusetts by Chris Hood, who had previously tried other neo-fascist groups such as Patriot Front, the Proud Boys, and the Base. The group first attracted the attention of anti-extremism researchers during the George Floyd protests in mid-2020, which NSC-131 members hoped to leverage to increase their recruiting. Along with Patriot Front, NSC-131 is one of the most active white nationalist groups in New England as of 2022.[6]

Nationalist Social Club-131
Also known asNSC-131
FounderChris Hood
Foundation2019; 5 years ago (2019)
Split fromPatriot Front[1]
CountryUnited States
Active regionsNortheastern United States [2]
IdeologyNeo-Nazism
Political positionFar-right
Slogan"New England is Ours. The Rest Must Go."
Major actions2021 United States Capitol attack, political violence and harassment
Statusactive
Size30–40 (2023)[3]
Flag

Activities

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2021

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The group stated on social media that they were present at the January 6 United States Capitol attack in 2021;[7] accounts differ as to if any of their members were arrested.[a] The group increased its membership by 250 people in the wake of the attack.[10] According to NSC-131, the group provided security to Super Happy Fun America, although the latter group disclaimed any ties with NSC-131.[10]

2022

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In March 2022, the group attracted attention by bringing signs to the Boston Saint Patrick's Day parade stating "keep Boston Irish".[11] The group was condemned by the parade's organizer and local politicians including the mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu.[12][13] The Dropkick Murphys condemned the unlicensed use of their song, "The Boys are Back", in a 2022 music video produced by NSC-131 and threatened legal action in a cease and desist letter.[14]

On December 12, 2022, about 25 to 30 NSC-131 members protested outside of the public library in Fall River, Massachusetts, to disrupt a Drag Queen Story Hour reading to children. The members stood outside wearing tan pants and black jackets, all wearing black balaclava-style masks, holding a cloth banner with "Drag Queens are Pedophiles" painted on the banner.[15]

2023

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On January 14, 2023, a group wearing the same apparel and displaying a nearly identical sign appeared at the public library in Taunton, Massachusetts, to disrupt another Drag Queen Story Hour. Some of the members went inside and shouted at the readers; the Taunton Police Department stated the organization was nonviolent and no arrests were made. The library in Fall River also hosted another Drag Queen Story Hour on the same day; however, this one was not interrupted as the group was protesting in Taunton.[16]

On January 17 2023, the Attorney General of New Hampshire, John Formella, and the police chief of Portsmouth, Mark Newport, announced a Initiation of Enforcement Action by the New Hampshire Department of Justice Civil Rights Unit against NSC-131, Chris Hood and Leo Anthony Cullinan for violating the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act and conspiring to violate the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act. The charges were eventually dismissed by Rockingham County Superior Court Judge David Ruoff.[17]

NSC-131 launched a new group, the People's Initiative of New England (PINE), in April 2023.[18] A 2023 report from the Anti-Defamation League stated that PINE's goals included secession from the U.S., the creation of a "white homeland", and the end to immigration by non-white people.[19]

In August 2023, NSC-131 claimed credit on social media for an anti-immigration protest in front of three hotels in Woburn, Massachusetts, that the city had announced were housing around 60 migrant families.[20] In October, the group protested in Arlington, Massachusetts, outside the home of Maura Healey, the Governor of Massachusetts, reportedly chanting "New England is ours, the rest must go."[21] No arrests occurred.[21]

On December 13, 2023, the New Hampshire Attorney General's office filed a civil rights lawsuit against NSC-131, Hood, and 19 unnamed members for violating the state's anti-discrimination law, for their actions of June 18, 2023, trying to stop a drag story hour in Concord through acts of intimidation, such as pounding on the glass. Hood's attorney described Formella's complaint as "virtue signaling". If found guilty, NSC-131, Hood, and each of the 19 unnamed members could face penalties of up to $10,000.[22][23]

2024

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On February 10, 2024, members of NSC-131 again demonstrated outside the home of Massachusetts governor Healey.[24] An estimated 25 members of the group demonstrated for less than 15 minutes; no arrests were made.[24] It was later reported that Healey was out of state at the time.[25]

On March 9, 2024, members of PINE demonstrated in Portsmouth, New Hampshire—masked members of the group waved flags (which appeared to be the Flag of New England) near the North Church.[26]

On May 24, 2024, Stephen Thomas Farrea, a member of the NSC-131, was arrested on one count of possessing child pornography.[27][28][29]

On October 1, 2024, a New Hampshire judge denied a motion to dismiss charges against NSC-131 stemming from their actions to stop a drag story hour in Concord in June 2023.[30]

Membership

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NSC-131 has chapters around the U.S. and has claimed chapters in France, Germany, and Hungary.[31] In 2023, The Boston Globe reported that the group had around 30 to 40 members.[3] Its members have also been members of the groups Aryan Strikeforce, The Base, and Patriot Front.[31]

Notes

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  1. ^ The group's profile by the Southern Poverty Law Center states, "No members of the group have faced charges related to their apparent involvement in the insurrection as of this writing."[8] Other, non-free, sources appear to indicate otherwise.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Nationalist Social Club (NSC-131)". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  2. ^ "Nationalist Social Club (NSC-131)". Counter Extremism Project. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  3. ^ a b Krueger, Hanna (August 3, 2023). "This New England neo-Nazi group is getting bigger and scarier, experts say. Most troubling: Military vets fill its ranks". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  4. ^ "A reputed white supremacist group is making forays into Connecticut with demonstrations and flyers". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  5. ^ "What is NSC-131? Neo-Nazi group getting bigger, more active". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  6. ^ "It is happening here: Massachusetts has a growing neo-Nazi movement". WGBH. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  7. ^ Somos, Christy (8 January 2021). "These are some of the extremist groups responsible for the violence on Capitol Hill". CTVNews. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  8. ^ "Nationalist Social Club (NSC-131)". splcenter.org. Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  9. ^ Rapoport, David C. (2021). "The Capitol Attack and the 5th Terrorism Wave". Terrorism and Political Violence. 33 (5): 912–916. doi:10.1080/09546553.2021.1932338. S2CID 236457455.
  10. ^ a b "Capitol Protesters And Rioters From Mass. Vow To Increase Ranks". wbur.org. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  11. ^ "Group displays neo-Nazi symbols, 'Keep Boston Irish' sign at St. Patrick's Day parade". Boston.com. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  12. ^ "Neo-Nazi stunt at South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade condemned". IrishCentral.com. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  13. ^ "'Repugnant': Boston officials condemn neo-Nazi group at St. Patrick's Day Parade". WCVB. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  14. ^ "Dropkick Murphys file cease and desist order to stop neo-Nazis from using their music". PBS NewsHour. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  15. ^ "Neo-Nazis Protest at Fall River Library Drag Queen Story Time". wbsm.com. 13 December 2022.
  16. ^ Schemer, Daniel (January 15, 2023). "Drag queen event at Taunton library disrupted by apparent neo-Nazi protesters". tauntongazette.com.
  17. ^ "Enforcement Actions Filed Against Hate Group for NH Civil Rights Act Violations in Portsmouth". New Hampshire Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General.
  18. ^ Dickinson, Tim (8 August 2023). "These Nazis Want to Turn New England Into a White Ethnostate". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  19. ^ Kuznitz, Alison (23 May 2023). "Antisemitism, White Supremacy on the Rise in Massachusetts: Report". NBC Boston. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  20. ^ Stoico, Nick (August 28, 2023). "Neo-Nazi group NSC-131 holds anti-immigration protest outside Woburn hotel". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  21. ^ a b Cotter, Sean (October 15, 2023). "Local neo-Nazi group demonstrates outside Governor Maura Healey's home". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  22. ^ "Attorney General Formella Announces Civil Rights Unit Enforcement Action Against NSC-131". New Hampshire Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General (Press release). December 13, 2023.
  23. ^ Lavietes, Matt (December 13, 2023). "Neo-Nazi group accused of violating civil rights law for disrupting N.H. drag story hour". NBC News.
  24. ^ a b Anderson, Travis (February 13, 2024). "Hate group demonstrated outside Governor Healey's home on Saturday; no arrests made". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  25. ^ Stout, Matt (March 15, 2024). "Healey left Massachusetts for four days last month. Aides refuse to say where the governor went". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  26. ^ Lenahan, Ian (March 15, 2024). "'Political arm' of neo-Nazis: Flag wavers in Portsmouth try to normalize white supremacy". Foster's Daily Democrat. Dover, New Hampshire. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  27. ^ Billson, Chantelle (May 31, 2024). "Neo-Nazi who targeted drag queen story hours charged with possession of child pornography". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  28. ^ Milkovits, Amanda (May 29, 2024). "R.I. neo-Nazi member accused of possessing child pornography - The Boston Globe". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  29. ^ Patkin, Abby. "R.I. man linked to neo-Nazi group facing child pornography charge". Boston.com. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  30. ^ Stoico, Nick (October 5, 2024). "Judge denies neo-Nazi group's bid to dismiss charges in N.H. drag queen story hour case". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  31. ^ a b Liang, Christina Schori (2022). "Far-Right Contagion: The Global Challenge of Transnational Extremist Networks". In Masys, Anthony J. (ed.). Handbook of Security Science. Springer International Publishing. p. 1017. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-91875-4_81. ISBN 978-3-319-91875-4.
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