NSM

NSM
Name	NSM
Founded	1974
Ideology	White nationalism, Neo-Nazism
Headquarters	United States
Leader	Jeff Schoep (former)

NSM. The National Socialist Movement (NSM) is an American neo-Nazi organization, widely recognized as one of the largest and most prominent groups of its kind in the United States. Founded in the 1970s, it explicitly advocates for a white ethnostate and promotes the ideology of Adolf Hitler. The group has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and has been involved in numerous public demonstrations and legal controversies.

Definition and Overview

The NSM is explicitly modeled after the historical Nazi Party, adopting its symbolism, including the use of the swastika and the Hitler salute. Its core objective is the establishment of a white separatist nation within North America. The organization operates primarily through public rallies, Internet activism, and local chapter recruitment, often seeking attention through confrontational protests. It has maintained a presence at events like the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, aligning with other far-right groups such as the Traditionalist Worker Party and Vanguard America.

History

The group was originally founded in 1974 by Robert Brannen and Clifford Herrington as the "National Socialist American Workers Freedom Movement," drawing inspiration from George Lincoln Rockwell's American Nazi Party. It remained a minor entity for decades until experiencing significant growth under the leadership of Jeff Schoep, who took over in 1994. During the 2000s, the NSM gained notoriety for staging protests in cities like Toledo, Ohio and Lansing, Michigan, often sparking counter-demonstrations. A major schism occurred in 2019 when Schoep left the group and denounced its ideology, leading to internal turmoil and the rise of new leadership under individuals like Burt Colucci and Allen "A.J." Jones.

Ideology and Beliefs

The NSM's platform is rooted in a belief in white supremacy and the inherent superiority of the Aryan race. Its tenets include the denial of the Holocaust, intense opposition to non-white immigration, and antisemitic conspiracy theories about Zionist control. The group's published "25 Points" manifesto directly mirrors that of the historical Nazi Party, advocating for the revocation of citizenship for non-whites and the confiscation of property from what it terms "race traitors." It also promotes a form of Positive Christianity, rejecting traditional Judeo-Christian values.

Activities and Impact

The NSM's primary activities consist of organizing public demonstrations, distributing propaganda, and participating in hate crime monitoring databases like the one maintained by the Anti-Defamation League. It has held rallies at state capitols, including the Minnesota State Capitol, and has been involved in community intimidation campaigns. The group's online presence, through platforms like Stormfront, has been significant for recruitment. Its actions have frequently triggered large-scale counter-protests, sometimes resulting in arrests and violence, as seen during events in Richard Spencer's speaking tours and at the 2017 Berkeley protests.

Controversies and Criticisms

The NSM has faced widespread condemnation from civil rights organizations, government officials, and religious groups. It has been linked to numerous hate crimes and its members have been prosecuted under laws like the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The group's protests are often met with legal challenges from municipalities and opposition from groups like Antifa. Internal controversies have included public infighting, allegations of financial mismanagement, and the defection of key leaders like Jeff Schoep, who later worked with the Exit USA program to deradicalize extremists.

Leadership and Structure

For most of its modern history, the NSM was led by Jeff Schoep, who served as its "Commander" and public face. The organization is structured with a national headquarters and regional chapters across states like California, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Following Schoep's departure, leadership was contested, with Burt Colucci and Allen "A.J." Jones vying for control. The group operates with a paramilitary hierarchy, using titles such as "Officer" and "Unit Coordinator," and maintains affiliations with international neo-Nazi networks, including groups in Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

Category:Neo-Nazi organizations in the United States Category:Organizations designated as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center Category:White nationalist organizations in the United States