The city’s mayor said in a statement a white far-right group whose members helped search the US Capitol during the January 6 uprising were unable to infiltrate a Labor Day parade. in New Jersey on Monday.
South Plainfield Mayor Matthew Anesh said the racist group, of the European Heritage Association of New Jersey, tried to sneak into the back of his city’s annual parade but were quickly stopped by police. The group was never registered with the city and was treated as protesters, Anesh said.
However, the group’s unofficial status didn’t stop marchers from curious and recording the men.
“You know these guys are racists, you know who they are right?” a man said on video. “You are not welcome here. Not welcomed. “
The group wore white tees, sunglasses, and bandanas with the American flag on their faces, and held a large sign that read “DEFEND AMERICAN LABOR… CLOSE THE BORDER.” They remained silent as the marchers waved to them, however, one member quickly stepped forward to take a picture of the sign before the recording was cut.
It is unclear how long the group was on the parade route, as the video only shows them standing silently as police surrounded them, with no floats in sight. Mayor Anesh did not return a phone call or text from The Daily Beast on Tuesday afternoon seeking clarification.
Anesh, who runs the city of 24,000 in central Jersey, issued a rambling statement Tuesday to deny theories that the group was an official part of the parade or that they received support. expulsion of the police.
“I, the Governing Body, the Public Celebrations Committee or any other group or organization in South Plainfield has condone or welcomed this group to the Parade,” said Anesh. Written.
The Anti-Defamation League has classified the European Heritage Association of New Jersey as a “small” hate group. They are primarily known throughout the Garden State for posting anti-Semitism leaflets and spewing hate while attending white supremacist rallies and demonstrations.
Despite their size, the group’s flyers were found inside the US Capitol after last year’s uprising, Gothamist reported. Another flyer, spotted outside a McDonald’s in Trenton, New Jersey, had the words “America under occupation” painted over the Star of David.
A QR code is printed on each leaflet, redirecting curious viewers to their extremely creepy and obnoxious website, which is filled with “alternative theory” nonsense and pictures of women. pregnant white.
“The non-whites who will come to replace us will recreate the failed societies they fled,” the group’s website says. “Ask yourself, is this what the Ancestors wanted? Is this what your grandparents wanted? More importantly, is this what you want for your children? “
Members of the group believe that white children are an ethnic minority in the US and that Antifa is a “Jewish communist militia”, Gothamist reported.
Despite the hate group’s antics, Anesh said they weren’t so bothered that the city canceled the parade for the fourth year in a row. He said it was postponed because of a security incident in 2019, because of COVID in 2020 and because of Tropical Storm Ida last year.
Instead, the mayor went so far as to declare South Plainfield’s parade to be New Jersey’s best parade this Labor Day with thousands in attendance. Regardless of whether he’s right or not, it’s a parade that will likely be talked about for years.
Anesh said: “I would like to thank the Police for stepping in and keeping the day’s operations safe for our residents and not letting Labor Day be ravaged by this group.
