Neo-Nazism Is On The Rise In Texas And Greg Abbott's Silence Speaks Volumes

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Link to tweet

[BeckyDem]

1. Unfortunately, Abbott believes this will help him stay in power and make a

run for president viable.

Texas is a mess, sad and dangerous.

[DBoon]

2. description of incidents here

Police in Austin and San Antonio are investigating acts of antisemitism after members of a neo-Nazi group traveled through both cities in recent days.

The Anti-Defamation League describes the group as a “loose network of individuals connected by their virulent antisemitism. The group includes six primary organizers/public figures and thousands of online followers.”

Around 10 members came to Austin from Florida this past weekend, hanging an antisemitic banner on a MOPAC overpass near the Shalom Austin Jewish Community Center on Saturday and then walking around the heavily trafficked 6th Street.

“They were all wearing t-shirts with big swastikas and hats with the same,” said Renee Lafair, regional director with ADL Austin.

Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon said APD officers responded to the scene and kept things from escalating.

https://www.tpr.org/san-antonio/2021-10-26/jewish-communities-in-austin-and-san-antonio-targeted-by-neo-nazi-group

and Texas Democrats take on this:

AUSTIN, Texas — In the last week, Texas has been rocked by multiple neo-Nazi appearances, with out-of-state hate group members holding hateful, antisemitic actions in both San Antonio and Austin. This disgusting development is an affront to all Texans, and an unacceptable attack on Jewish communities across the state. However, in response to this rising threat to public safety, Gov. Greg Abbott has taken no action to protect Jewish Texans or condemn antisemitism and hate.

This is not the first time Abbott has put Texans in danger, nor is it the first time Republicans have opened the door to racism and hate in Texas. The disturbing resurgence of neo-Nazism and Holocaust denial is clearly rooted in the racism and hate fueled by Trump Republicans over the last four years. But recent Texas Republican policy is equally to blame. Earlier this month, Texas Republicans’ law censoring education around racism and sexism led some school administrators to go so far as to urge teachers to teach Holocaust denial to Texas children. Texas Republican State Rep. Matt Krause recently doubled down on the law, forcing schools to account for books on a potential ban list — which includes a book on women’s experiences during the Holocaust and dozens of nationally-celebrated, highly acclaimed titles.

Further, federal Texas Republicans are actively defending neo-Nazism and hate. Recently and mindbogglingly, disgraced Senator Ted Cruz actually went out of his way to defend Nazi salutes in schools. This is shameful. Texas Democrats are calling on Abbott and Texas Republicans to denounce antisemitism, hate, and the neo-Nazism rearing its ugly head in Texas. If our governor’s loyalties lie with out-of-state hate groups and not with Texans, every Texan deserves to know.

https://www.texasdemocrats.org/media/neo-nazism-is-on-the-rise-in-texas-and-greg-abbotts-silence-speaks-volumes/