February 7–14, 2002

news

Skin Head Butting

Two groups committed to fighting racism are now fighting each other.

by Daniel Brook

Method man: Barry Morrison says violence is the wrong method for fighting hate groups. photo: Christina M. Felice

Three weeks after demonstrating together against hate groups in York, Pa., the local branches of the Anti-Defamation League and Anti-Racist Action are busy fighting with each other. At issue is whose methods are more effective at countering racism.

On Jan. 12, white supremacists held a rally in front of the public library in York. Far-left activists from Philadelphia Anti-Racist Action and others confronted the hate groups, and a violent confrontation broke out. The anti-racist activists smashed the windows of a neo-Nazi’s pickup truck and pepper-sprayed the driver. Another white supremacist drove his pickup into a crowd of protesters, injuring four people, including a 12-year-old girl. By the end of the day, 25 people had been arrested.

Across town, a peaceful multi-ethnic counter-rally titled the York Unity Celebration was in progress. Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups took part, as well as representatives of the black, Hispanic and Asian communities. The Unity Celebration was endorsed by the Anti-Defamation League, among others. In an ADL press release issued before the rally, the racism and anti-Semitism watchdog group encouraged opponents of the hatemongers to attend the Unity Celebration rather than confront the white supremacists at the library. The ADL said that the leader of the hate rally, Matt Hale of the World Church of the Creator, purposefully advertises "his meetings on racially charged topics in an attempt to provoke a confrontation with left-wing extremists and anarchists. This includes groups such as Anti-Racist Action, International Workers of the World, SHARP Skins, Jewish Defense League and extremist black separatist groups." The ADL-backed Unity Celebration took place without incident.

Last Friday, here in Philadelphia, members of Anti-Racist Action held a benefit concert to raise money for the legal defense of those arrested and medical treatment for the injured 12-year-old. The benefit raised $700 and was peaceful. The concert was held in a private house in West Philadelphia after the original venue, the Killtime on Lancaster Avenue, was shut down just hours before the concert was to begin. The Department of Licenses and Inspections closed down the club, but it was the Anti-Defamation League that tipped off the authorities in the first place. According to L&I spokeswoman Andrea Swan, the building was shut down because it was operating as an illegal, unlicensed dancehall. Killtime’s management could not be reached for comment.

Barry Morrison, the head of the ADL’s Philadelphia office, says he notified the authorities because he feared a violent confrontation might take place. Morrison says the ADL had received "reliable reports that the Eastern Hammerskins [one of the hate groups that rallied in York] were aware of the event planned by the Anti-Racist Action." Morrison would not reveal which specific law-enforcement authorities he notified.

Concert organizers say they were contacted by the FBI. FBI spokeswoman Linda Vizi would not confirm or deny this claim.

Philadelphia Anti-Racist Action does not think much of law enforcement. According to the group’s four principles, "the legal and policing institutions themselves are clearly corrupted by racism." But what really irks its members is the hostility they get from the Anti-Defamation League, a group whose mission of combating racial and religious hatred they share.

According to the ADL’s Barry Morrison, "we consider them extremist because of their tactics and methods, [which include] the use of violence." Rather than diminishing the power of hate groups, Morrison believes organizations like Anti-Racist Action encourage white supremacists to stage public rallies by giving them a chance to square off against their left-wing opponents. "The two groups have a symbiotic relationship," says Morrison.

The ADL supports peaceful, nonconfrontational rallies like the York Unity Celebration that don’t directly interact with hate groups. Morrison fears that the in-your-face protest methods of the extremists grab headlines and confuse the public. As Morrison puts it, an average citizen could easily "misinterpret how to be opposed to racists and bigots by concluding that the violent and confrontational tactics used by groups such as Anti-Racist Action are the only legitimate means to use to respond to bigots."

Sean O’Donnell of Anti-Racist Action Philadelphia says his group neither endorses nor condemns violence. "Every type of confrontation on racism is viable," says O’Donnell.

Another member of the group, who declined to give his name, elaborates, "I respect people for giving what they can. And if people feel comfortable resisting in a nonviolent way, I respect that." At the same time, this member personally supports a more confrontational stance. "I would advocate self-defense," he says, "If fascists are trying to organize in my community, I consider that a direct assault."

But since most fascist organizing is taking place out in the hinterlands, back here in Philadelphia, the local chapters of Anti-Racist Action and the Anti-Defamation League have only each other to fight.