wfn.org | NCC How to recognize white supremacist hate groups

[GEORGE_CONKLIN.parti@ecunet.org]

To: wfn-editors@wfn.org

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: Carol J. Fouke, NCC, 212-870-2252
Internet: carol_fouke.parti@ecunet.org

 NCC 11/11/96 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sidebar: How to recognize white supremacist hate groups 

     COLUMBIA, S-C., Oct.26 --- flow to recognize a white supremacist
hate group? First of all, know this - most white supremacists don't
wear hoods. What these groups do have in common is that they are
against anyone who is different from them" in appearance or belief.

     So said speakers during the Oct. 24-26 "Emergency Conference on
Racism," convened here by the National Council of Churches. They went
on to describe other characteristics of white supremacist movements.
Such groups: 

     * Target African Americans and others who threaten white
dominance especially white male dominance, in the nation.. '"Others"
include Jews, Arabs, Native Americans, Asians Latinos, other people of
color, gays and lesbians.

     * Use such slogans as "white power," "white is right," "we have
to preserve and protect the white race."

     * Commonly blame others for their woes and target them for
"punishment." "Poor whites and poor blacks are both suffering from.
the same oppression," commented one speaker, "but white Supremacy
teaches whites that 'until you destroy the black folks things won't
get better for you,"' 

     * Tend to be excessively violent, sometimes against property but
usually against people. Rate crimes are violent manifestations of
racism and bigotry, aimed at intimidating their targets and taking
away people's democratic, human and civil rights to live in peace and
to have equal protection under the law. Don't be fooled by those who
assert that such acts are "pranks" by teens or the result of mere
drunkenness.

     * Commonly use a strategy they call "leaderless resistance," said
Rose Johnson, Coordinator, Center for Democratic Renewal, Atlanta.
"They set up leaderless cells of one to five people who then act
individually or in small groups. These cells are creating devastation
in communities nationwide." 
 -end-