Late last year, the National Socialist Movement announced the opening of a California chapter based in Riverside, the largest city in southern part of the state's Inland Empire. On September 26, they held a protest at the corner at Madison and Indiana, where people of color gather to look for work. In response, activists formed a broad-based coalition composed of political parties, students groups, labor unions, churches, and community groups to demonstrate their opposition to racism and hatred at City Hall. Meanwhile, a smaller contingent of antifascist activists took a more direct approach at the targeted corner, confiscating swastika-laden flags from the nazis and ultimately expelling the ragtag bunch after a few small skirmishes.

Humiliated, the Nazis decided to return the following month. Once again, the community rallied against them, drawing anywhere between 700 and 1000. On this occasion, however, the racists enjoyed the protection of numerous riot-gear clad police officers from multiple agencies who allowed them to make their hateful stand. When valiant antifascists from the Brown Berets penetrated the police perimeter, a small conflict took place. The day ended with two of our comrades behind bars, one for disobeying a police order and the other for throwing a "deadly weapon" later identified as a lemon.

As Nazis continued to organize, community activists recognized the need to increase the pressure. They published Jeff Hall's home address, which he uses as a base of operations, and called for a protest, scheduled to take place during the NSM's monthly meeting. "We're doing this because there are people in our community--people of color--who live in that neighborhood," explained one of the organizers, who asked to remain anonymous.

In response, the Nazis published a flyer calling for a demonstration at the home of a longtime Riverside activist, accusing him of "child endangerment," who had been active in the anti-Nazi organizing last year. Apparently, the Nazis were under the impression that the Riverside activist--who is Jewish--had called for the demonstration at the Nazi house, where a young child also resides. The Riverside activist was not involved in the planning and execution of the home demonstration, but made a handy scapegoat, especially for those who believe that people of color are incapable of organizing in their own defense. Unlike Hall, the activist, who is a leader in a statewide socialist party, does not use his home as a base for organization.

However, due to the the overwhelming presence of California human rights defenders at the National Day of Action for Arizona, turnout was relatively low. Only about seven members of the SoCal Antiracist Network were present, backed up by a contingent of about five Brown Berets. "Our reason for being there was to be security, to get Chicanos out of there if anything happened. We were not there to break any laws, we were not intending to go into the house," said of the the leaders from the Brown Berets.

Four police officers in riot gear were at the end of the cul-de-sac where Hall lives, and the police helicopter hovered overhead. Once the antifascists took their stand, a crowd of about thirty Nazis in full fascist costume swarmed out of the house and confronted one of the organizers. "We're not here to fight," he explained, and backed up about thirty feet. The Nazi charged him aggressively, but the antiracist defended himself, knocking the Nazi out cold at the end of his charge. The Nazis continued their offensive against the antiracists, chanting "Get the girl!" and attempting to strike the only woman present, a member of the Brown Berets. They brandished two firearms as police looked on, refusing to intervene in the violence. "If you don't like it, get out of here," one of the officers told a member of the Berets.

In light of the armed Nazi aggression, the antiracists withdrew their picket for the day. The antifascist struggle in Riverside, however, is anything but over.

this was a very bad move for local ara and brown beret activists. what in the world were you guys thinking messing around with people at their family homes? agree or disagree this is a crappy tactic and should never be done. this is the kind of thing that can escalate into something really bad and both sides should be discouraged from engaging in such stupid bs. considering the situation i think the protesters should thank their lucky stars the nazis showed such restraint. total assclown behavior throwing protests at someones house.

Did anyone see this? Mike O'Dell from the NSM North California unit lives in San Francisco and someone dropped all his info:

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/05/25/18648832.php

if nazis have guns and brandish them and you have none, then this movement has a very big problem. every single confrontation with violent white supremacists in the past has taught us to BE ARMED when confronting and driving out these groups. There is no room for dialogue , don't think the burned churches, assassinations, and lynchings which were the common response to "peaceful" protest was something of the past. groups like the NSM are funded by WHITE MONEY so they have a good deal of it. With that they buy up plenty of guns and ammunition. They buy it for you. Pull no punches with white power groups , stand strong and let them know what time it is. This is not about being violent, and this post does not encourage it. This is about reclaiming and defending our humanity. "BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY"

Didn't you watch the video? There were no weapons the SoCal ARA are just pussy bitches that are crying and saying there were guns so the fact that they ran away doesn't look so cowardly.

"In the latest anti-fascist action to occur in this conservative inland city , a small group of anti-fascists planned to out Jeff Hall, the California "commander" of the Michigan-based National Socialist Movement (NSM), outside of his house."

You idiots didn't go there to "out" him. You went there to cause trouble. If they indeed have Nazi meetings in full facist uniform monthly like you guys claim and don't hide who they are then don't you think the nieghbors already know? Wouldn't a flyer on every door been a better idea? How many people got your supposed message about Hall during your pathetic 4 minute stand? You wanted to cause drama and maybe scare some nazis but you failed miserably. Don't pretend you were or are doing anything for the movement or trying to keep people of color safe because you weren't. You are a bunch of young hooligans who have a lot to learn. And a home demo. that is low, that is something te nazis would do. What are you going to do now some vandalism or car smashing like thugs to redeem yourselves? You guys suck.

So you guys let a Jew be attacked by Nazis cuz you f*cked up? You kept your anonimity through all this instead of stepping up and taking resposibility? Cowards.

Have you seen this video, my four year daughter has more intellgence to at least not to let the nazis post the video of what truly happened with your greatly embellished story you created to make yourself look less like the true cowards that you are! you walked away with your tail between your legs, i understand you cant win every battle that we fight but atleast have the balls to stand up for your mistakes dont cry about it like a little child and blame the nazis for your f**ked up decisions. You put innocent people and children in danger. You make me ashamed to be a follower of the movement. For once in my life i actually agree with the fascists and there actions. If i was there after the nazis kicked your a$$ i would have been next in line to give you a beat down. You've lost recpect for us, made us look like complete idiots if you want to sink to that level go join the NSM.

Big ups to the brown berets and anti-racist network for reppin. I live down the street from where that Hall guy lives, about 1/4 mile, and I got a flyer on my front door last week on the day of this action explaining who this racist jeff hall guy is, and what he does. Sickening stuff. But I am glad I now know this info now. I heard the helicopter that day all morning long buzzing around and didnt know why until i read the flyer. I had no idea this kind of thing was going on in my hood. I just saw the youtube of the video by these nsm'ers. They look like idiots. The guy at the end is talking on a microphone in his backyard, talking about heil hitler. Move your ass to germany in the 1940s you loser! it is obvious people with that much hate are ignorant inbred rednecks. It is quite funny actually. The video clearly shows the skinheads attacking the anti racist people holding their signs. The best part, the aggressive nazi skinhed guy then gets knocked the fuck out! The nazi is just laid out in the middle of the street, where he belongs... hahaha get that shit out of here! I applaud riverside anti racist activists and brown beret organizations for informing me and my girl, and for opposing these hate mongers. Next time, I will be there with you guys.

Riverside County Supervisor Republican Jeff Stone collaborated with the notorious Scientology crime syndicate to enact "Ordinance 884" which makes these very types of human rights protests against the law in Riverside County.

Why didn't the Scientology crook enforce his new law against these protesters? Jeff Stone and his Scientology crime bosses demand that the new law is supposed to stop this very type of protesting yet shy didn't the fucking crook enforce the law?

Right. Ordinance 884 only applies to human rights protesters protesting against Scientology's crimes, human trafficing, kidnapping, and other abuses.