Last Saturday, approximately 10 individuals associated with the neo-Nazi groups Order of the Black Sun, Aryan Freedom Network, and NatSoc Florida gathered outside Walt Disney World in Orlando and displayed white supremacist, anti-LGBTQ+, and antisemitic banners. Later that day, approximately 50 individuals associated with the Goyim Defense League and Blood Tribe marched through residential neighborhoods in Altamonte Springs, Fla. and demonstrated on a nearby interstate overpass, waving swastika flags and performing the Nazi salutes in matching red shirts. Many of the individuals who participated in the demonstrations traveled from out of state according to the Anti-Defamation League. 

Video and photos of the rallies began circulating on social media as users began reporting on the event to raise awareness. Some pushed the idea that the protesters were paid actors, a conspiracy theory often popular among extreme right-wing groups and white supremacists, suggesting actors are hired to imitate protesters and draw attention to progressive causes, including antisemitism. Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) shared his belief that the demonstrations were “orchestrated with paid actors” in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

 

The #BanTheADL hashtag gained traction this week after ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt met with X CEO Linda Yaccarino, garnering criticism from far-right figures who believe the ADL wants to limit free speech on the platform. 

 

As the conversation around the hashtag grew, X Owner Elon Musk used his platform on the X site to claim that ADL caused a 60% decline in X's advertising revenue following their call for an advertising boycott last fall and hinted at potentially suing the ADL in response. Fueled by Musk's engagement, #BanTheADL became the primary topic related to antisemitism on social media this week, accelerating antisemitic posts towards the ADL. The heightened attention also prompted many to defend the ADL, emphasizing its numerous contributions to the Jewish community.

 

Five members of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, were sentenced for their role in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Among them was Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who received a 22-year prison sentence, the longest amount anyone involved with the attack has received thus far. The Proud Boys were also involved in the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va. 

Many users online discussed how Tarrio received the longest sentence despite not being present at the January 6 attack. Some drew parallels to Nazi Germany, where Hitler orchestrated the Holocaust but was not at the concentration camps themselves. Others celebrated the sentencing as justice being served.

 

A spectator who yelled pro-Hitler chants during a U.S. Open tennis match featuring German Alexander Zverev was ejected Tuesday after Zverev stopped the match and alerted an umpire. The spectator used the phrase “Deutschland über alles,” which was part of the German national anthem, but was removed after World War II since it was misused by the Nazi Party to claim Germany’s superiority. Zverev later told the press how he felt it was necessary to speak up against bigotry.

 

 

 

 

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