.Report warns of hate groups in Central Florida
Central Florida — home of family-friendly theme parks, cultural diversity and, of course, sunshine — has an uglier side, too.
The Anti-Defamation League on Tuesday released a report called "Extremism in Florida: The Dark Side of the Sunshine State," that singles out several Orlando-area communities.
The 44-page report documents organized bigotry and extremism, including white supremacy, Holocaust denial, Islamic extremism, "radical" animal-rights organizations, tax protesters, militias and anti-government and sovereign-citizen movements.
The report was provided to Sheriff's Offices around the state and also will be sent to police departments.
Robert Tanen, associate regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said law officers can't investigate groups without good reason. But the league, founded in 1913 to fight anti-Semitism and other bigotry, can track hate groups and their members and forward information about potential crime to police.
"Part of why we put this out is to call these people out, to expose people," Tanen said.
Hate groups are using the Internet and racist concerts to spread their message and recruit young people, the report states. There's even a white-supremacist social-networking site that includes a blog that praises the Nazi Party.
"It's very important for us to remain constantly vigilant," Tanen said.
Lt. Brett Meade, manager of the Orange County sheriff's criminal-intelligence unit, said deputies use the report, similar information from the Southern Poverty Law Center and tips from the public and businesses to help identify hate groups.
"Law enforcement can't do it alone," Meade said. "We're all in this together."
The report, the defense league's third since 2006, singled out several Central Florida groups and individuals.
They are:
•Florida Kavallerie Brigade, which the report says has ties to the state chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. The founder lives in St. Cloud and describes himself as a coordinator for Aryan Nations, according to the report.
•Confederate Hammerskins, led in Florida by an Orlando man. The group has hosted white-power music festivals and Hitler birthday party. Last year, there was a "Fourth Fest" on July 3 in Central Florida. Its 2009 St. Patrick's Day celebration was held in Orlando.
Orlando Sentinel
The Anti-Defamation League on Tuesday released a report called "Extremism in Florida: The Dark Side of the Sunshine State," that singles out several Orlando-area communities.
The 44-page report documents organized bigotry and extremism, including white supremacy, Holocaust denial, Islamic extremism, "radical" animal-rights organizations, tax protesters, militias and anti-government and sovereign-citizen movements.
The report was provided to Sheriff's Offices around the state and also will be sent to police departments.
Robert Tanen, associate regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said law officers can't investigate groups without good reason. But the league, founded in 1913 to fight anti-Semitism and other bigotry, can track hate groups and their members and forward information about potential crime to police.
"Part of why we put this out is to call these people out, to expose people," Tanen said.
Hate groups are using the Internet and racist concerts to spread their message and recruit young people, the report states. There's even a white-supremacist social-networking site that includes a blog that praises the Nazi Party.
"It's very important for us to remain constantly vigilant," Tanen said.
Lt. Brett Meade, manager of the Orange County sheriff's criminal-intelligence unit, said deputies use the report, similar information from the Southern Poverty Law Center and tips from the public and businesses to help identify hate groups.
"Law enforcement can't do it alone," Meade said. "We're all in this together."
The report, the defense league's third since 2006, singled out several Central Florida groups and individuals.
They are:
•Florida Kavallerie Brigade, which the report says has ties to the state chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. The founder lives in St. Cloud and describes himself as a coordinator for Aryan Nations, according to the report.
•Confederate Hammerskins, led in Florida by an Orlando man. The group has hosted white-power music festivals and Hitler birthday party. Last year, there was a "Fourth Fest" on July 3 in Central Florida. Its 2009 St. Patrick's Day celebration was held in Orlando.
Orlando Sentinel
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