“Based on the equipment that people had with them, the things they had, the U-Haul with them, along with the documents that were confiscated from them, it is clear that they came to riots in the city center. “, Coeur d. Said Alain Police Chief Lee White.
Most of the arrested men wore logos on their hats “according to the Patriotic Front group,” and some wore other clothing related to the white supremacy group, White said.
Here’s what we know about the Patriot Front – and what makes it different from other bands:
How did the Patriotic Front start?
“The Patriotic Front is a white nationalist group of hatred formed after the deadly United on the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia,” the Southern Legal Center for Poverty said.
“The organization has split from Vanguard America (VA), a neo-Nazi group involved in the chaotic demonstration,” SPLC said.
What do the members of the Patriotic Front believe in?
“The Patriotic Front is a group of white supremacists whose members claim that their ancestors conquered America and bequeathed it to them and to no one else,” ADL said.
“The Patriotic Front justifies its ideology of hatred and intolerance under the guise of preserving the ethnic and cultural origins of the European ancestors of its members.”
The group’s manifesto claims that those in America who are not of European descent are not real Americans.
“An African may have lived, worked, or even been classified as an American citizen for centuries, but he is not an American. He is, as he probably prefers to be called, an African in America, “the Patriot Front website said.
“The same rule applies to others who are not at the core of our people or do not share the common unconscious that permeates our larger civilization and the European diaspora.
Who is the leader of the Patriotic Front?
Growing up in the Dallas suburbs, Rousseau founded the Patriot Front when he was a teenager, according to the SPLC. “In Texas and North Carolina after a gutted ‘bath bill.’ He was also an ardent supporter of Donald Trump during the 2016 election,” SPLC said.
“Under Rousseau’s direct leadership, the Patriot Front department in Texas is the most active – relying mostly on flying, banner-raising and occasional demonstrations. When the organization goes online, its activities are mostly conducted in the dead of night, anonymously.
Following the arrests in Idaho on Saturday, CNN contacted the Patriotic Front and people believed to be linked to Rousseau, but did not receive an immediate response.
What are the goals of the Patriotic Front?
“I think when you look at the past actions of the Patriotic Front, they are different,” former FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok told CNN on Monday.
“A lot of what they do is for image – to create propaganda that they can use to spread their message to hire more followers,” Strzok said.
“So in the past, what we saw from many of their activities is not so much an intention to engage in violence as to take part in protests. Of course, hate speech, for sure, but it is much more a group that is designed for image and for creating a public spectacle. ”
But Strzok said there is always a key question with such groups: “Is there a trigger point where they intend to go from just protesting to violence?”
He said it was unclear what might have happened at the Idaho Pride Parade.
“The real question in my mind is their intention for what they would do that day,” Strzok said.
How is the Patriotic Front different from other white nationalist or white supremacy groups?
The members of the Patriotic Front are “relatively young”, Strzok said.
“Patriot Front’s main tactics are ‘lightning demonstrations’ – privately planned and unannounced events that allow groups to promote their beliefs while limiting the risk of individual exposure, negative media coverage, arrests and public reaction,” ADL said.
“These flash demos are mainly organized for quick photo and video opportunities, which are then converted to online content.”
And the Patriot Front “refused to participate in large rallies with other hate groups, preferring instead to work with small local heads who allow the Patriot Front to remain the center of attention while controlling their message and presentation,” SPLC said.
Strzok said he was worried the country could be in a new phase of extremism.
“I think there are certainly a lot of personal complaints all over America. And what worries me most right now is that you see a lot of people – both political leaders and some in the media – tacitly encouraging non-violence, but certainly these extremist beliefs, “said the former FBI official.
“Whether it’s a substitution theory that plays a large part in the propaganda of white nationalist power, whether it’s political figures using images of violence, I think it’s encouraging or accepting behavior that we’ve seen in the past. moved away, “Strzok said. “So I’m worried that people who are prone to violence … may be incited to violence.”
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that CNN contacted Thomas Ryan Rousseau’s legal representative. It is not yet clear whether he has legal representation.
CNN’s Chuck Johnston and Andy Rose contributed to this report.
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