Neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups disseminated antisemitic, anti-LGBTQ, and white nationalist slogans outside Disney World and in the surrounding Orlando, Florida, area on Saturday 2nd September, according to authorities.
This is one of the few distressing instances of escalating antisemitism witnessed this year in the United States.
The tourist sunshine state has become a hotspot for hate in recent weeks, with many of the neo-Nazi supporters claiming to be not Florida residents.
Extremists had said to have flown in from other states such as California and other countries including Canada, presenting Florida as the target for hatred.
The Groups and Participants:
This disturbing event contained multiple groups of professed Neo-Nazi organisations including the Order of the Black Sun, Aryan Freedom Network, and 14 First stated by the civil rights organisation the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the demonstration began outside the Disney Springs shopping center when authorities were called at 10:40 a.m. to disperse the then crowd of 15 individuals.
Later it is recorded that more than 50 extremists who participated in this emittance of hatred are pictured wearing clothing and bearing flags inscribed with Nazi insignia.
In addition to the violence already visibly displayed, the actions captured by these individuals has caused major disturbance. The hateful chants, according to the ADL, including “white power”, “Jews will not replace us” and “we are everywhere” were not only heard in Orlando, yet worldwide. "Have you thanked Hitler today?" asked members of the Order of the Black Sun as they manned a gate leading to the most magical place on Earth where those come to feel happiness yet were met hate.
Though the extremists dispersed after a couple of hours of the event taking place and no one was arrested on site it has been made apparent that an arrest has been made in more recent days.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) announced the arrest of neo-Nazi demonstrator Jason Brown on September 13th, with authorities stating there still being three outstanding arrest warrants. The FDLE commissioner exclaims that “this activity will not be tolerated” in hopes of protecting citizens from this radical movement.
The attention of the public:
Members of the public, alongside news outlets, captured elements of the repulsive demonstrations spreading the large-scale sickening discontent.
Witnesses took to social media platforms including TikTok and X, formally known as Twitter, exposing the group to media attention, which according to the Sheriff’s Office is what they are explicitly looking for. These viral sources display the parading neo-Nazi groups outside Disney World in Orlando disapproving of the “horrifying and disgusting” movement. In addition, political bodies, like Florida House Representative member Anna Vishkaee Eskamani, posted on X titling the demonstration as “absolutely disgusting stuff”.
News correspondent, James Matthews interacted with the neo-Nazi group during their demonstration asking what their collective motive is. One demonstrator responded that their aim is “to show other white men that they can stand up to, to not be afraid” claiming that any violence perpetuated is not from their side.
What now?
It is evident that a new wave of Neo-Nazism has become visible in the US state of Florida as the ADL describes the happenings as “another weekend of hate”.
With Altamonte Springs Mayor, Pat Bates, releasing a statement expressing that “racism and hatred do not belong in any community”, it does not deny the 36% increase in recorded antisemitic incidents the past year recorded by the ADL.
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