Neo-nazis are planning a protest against a Florida Sheriff who called antisemites a bunch of “scumbags” earlier this year, according to the group’s website.
The National Socialist Party (NSM), which styles itself as the “largest and most active National Socialist party in America today,” is planning to hold the protest on April 22 outside city hall, according to NSM’s website. The city has been experiencing a rash of antisemitic incidents over the past several months, prompting Sheriff Mike Chitwood to organize efforts to “stand with our Jewish neighbors.” (RELATED: Police Investigating After ‘Vax The Jews’ Projected Onto Florida Building)
“These scumbags came to the wrong county,” Chitwood said during a press conference in February. “I stand with my Jewish friends and I am honored to be on your hit list. It’s an honor to be sought after by a bunch of punk thugs like you.”
NSM spokesperson SS Lt. Col. Harry L. Hughes told the DCNF that the sheriff’s comments made him unfit to “be a law enforcement officer” and that was the focus of the protest.
“A county sheriff, who swears to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America is reneging on his oath, when he/she decides to show bias and selectively enforce laws,” Hughes said. “Sheriff Chitwood is not fit to be a law enforcement officer of any level. Free speech is not a crime. Even free speech that Jews dislike.”
NEWNAN, GA – APRIL 21: Members and supporters of the National Socialist Movement, one of the largest neo-Nazi groups in the US, hold a rally on April 21, 2018, in Newnan, Georgia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Chitwood had been criticizing the recent harassment of Jewish people, antisemitic pamphlets and flyers left in Jewish neighborhoods and vandalism of Jewish homes and places of worship by white supremacist groups in the last few months. The Florida sheriff had also acknowledged that several white supremacist groups were not fond of him, but said that he considered being on their “hit list” as a “badge of honor.”
Other white supremacist groups have also targeted Chitwood, one called The Order of the Black Sun distributed flyers of the sheriff that said Chitwood was trying to replace white Americans with “immigrants and illegal aliens,” according to The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
“Vaccinated and boosted cross-dressing Sheriff Mike Chitwood wants to end the First Amendment and replace you with immigrants and illegal aliens,” one flyer stated.
Chitwood did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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