This blog originally appeared at Dallas Observer.
In recent days, the area has experienced several neo-Nazi incidents, ranging from the distribution of antisemitic flyers and demonstrations to a visit by white supremacist Nick Fuentes.
In an unexpected turn, a group of actual neo-Nazis casually entered a local taco establishment for a meal, adding to the recent surge of white supremacist activities in the region. Over the past week, headlines have been dominated by instances of white supremacists stepping out of their shadowy confines to disturb unsuspecting North Texans in public spaces.
Texas has been a focal point for right-wing extremism and anti-government sentiments, exemplified by the prevalence of MAGA supporters who participated in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Despite the existing backdrop of such incidents, the recent events in the headlines have managed to stand out, marking a disturbing trend.
Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, noted, “It sure seems like North Texas and the Dallas area is facing a surge of these kinds of events, protests and just general activities.”
In the previous year, Texas claimed the top spot in the nation for the distribution of white supremacist propaganda, as reported by the Anti-Defamation League. Antisemitic incidents in the state saw a staggering increase of nearly 90% from 2021 to 2022.
Heidi Beirich, expressing concern about the trajectory of such hate groups, presented a rather ominous outlook. She remarked, “This may simply be a harbinger of the future for the rest of the country, frankly, because … these very hardcore groups — the Active Clubs, the Patriot Front, the Proud Boys, other types of neo-Nazis — have sure been showing up in public in ways that they haven’t been in the past. And I think that it’s just going to get worse in 2024.”
As we navigate the unfolding situation, here are four noteworthy headlines from this week in North Texas neo-Nazi developments.
Neo-Nazis Dine at Torchy’s Tacos
This week, The Observer highlighted an unsettling incident where a group dressed in Nazi attire, including an individual wearing a red swastika armband, dined at a Fort Worth Torchy’s Tacos on October 8. The incident gained widespread attention after customer Jessica Gregorio shared a video on TikTok capturing the episode.
According to Gregorio, one of the men uttered “white power” while passing by her. In response, she proudly identified herself as a Jew, to which he callously remarked, “that’s why we’re getting blasted in Israel.” Torchy’s Tacos has since issued a statement denouncing the incident.
Antisemitic Flyers Strewn Across DFW
In recent weeks, North Texas has been marred by the presence of racist and antisemitic literature, including flyers discovered in Prosper and Allen in late September. The disturbing trend has persisted, with approximately 250 antisemitic flyers found on windshields at the Botanic Garden in Fort Worth on Sunday, as reported by WFAA. The garden’s staff promptly removed the propaganda, and the CEO released a statement condemning hate speech. A Reddit user connected the incident to the group that dined at Torchy’s Tacos, lamenting the continued existence of Nazis in the present day.
Neo-Nazis Protest Outside Pro-LGBTQ+ Church
Over the weekend, Dallas faced its share of neo-Nazi activity when an antisemitic group, potentially linked to the Torchy’s Tacos incident, gathered outside the LGBTQ+-friendly Cathedral of Hope in Oak Lawn on Sunday. Members of the group brandished Nazi flags and displayed hateful signs, as reported by WFAA. A clergy member from the church revealed that the group conveyed messages of hatred against Jews and the LGBTQ+ community. Despite the intimidation, the church remains resolute in promoting hope and worship, refusing to be cowed by the presence of these right-wing fascists.
White Supremacist Welcomed by GOP Activist
The former state representative Jonathan Stickland, a known far-right activist, reportedly hosted white supremacist Nick Fuentes at his office near Fort Worth, according to The Texas Tribune. Stickland operates the Pale Horse Strategies PAC, affiliated with top Republican officeholders in Texas, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. The office also saw the presence of Kyle Rittenhouse, who shot two Black Lives Matter protesters in 2020, and Republican Party of Texas Chair Matt Rinaldi. Fuentes, a Holocaust denier and self-proclaimed “proud incel,” has dined with former President Donald Trump and has connections to staffers of Arizona Republican U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar. This shift in political associations is deemed “completely unacceptable” by observers.
“It certainly doesn’t help when political figures play footsie with these people,” she said. “It just sanctions them and makes them feel that their activities are mainstream.”
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