Nationalist Social Club-131

Nationalist Social Club-131 or NSC-131 is a neo-Nazi organization; the letters 131 stand for ACA or "Anti-Communist Action".[1][2] It was founded in 2019 in eastern Massachusetts by Chris Hood, who had previously tried other neo-fascist groups such as Patriot Front, the Proud Boys, and the Base. The group first attracted the attention of anti-extremism researchers during the George Floyd protests in mid-2020, which NSC-131 members hoped to leverage to increase their recruiting. Along with the Patriot Front, NSC-131 is one of the most active white nationalist groups in New England as of 2022.[3]

Actions

Members of the group were arrested for participating in the January 6 United States Capitol attack.[4][5] The group increased its membership by 250 people in the wake of the attack.[6] According to NSC-131, the group provided security to Super Happy Fun America, although the latter group disclaimed any ties with NSC-131.[6]

In March 2022, it attracted attention by bringing signs to the Boston Saint Patrick's Day parade stating "keep Boston Irish".[7] The group was condemned by the parade's organizer and local politicians including the mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu.[8][9] The Dropkick Murphys condemned the unlicensed use of their song, "The Boys are Back", in a 2022 music video produced by NSC-131 and threatened legal action in a cease and desist letter.[10] Additionally, the Dropkick Murphys challenged NSC-131 to a street brawl on March 26 at Medal of Honor Park.[11] NSC-131 did not attend.

In June and July 2022, the group spread fliers around towns such as Hamilton, Ipswich, and Topsfield, Massachusetts.

On December 12, 2022, about 25 to 30 NSC-131 members protested outside of the Fall River Library in Massachusetts to disrupt a Drag Queen Story Hour reading to the kids. The members stood outside wearing tan pants and black jackets, all wearing black balaclava style masks, holding a cloth banner with "Drag Queens are Pedophiles" painted on the banner.[12]

On January 14, 2023, a group of most likely the same members, based on all having the same apparel and nearly identical sign appeared at the Taunton Public Library in Massachusetts to disrupt another Drag Queen Story Hour. Some of the members went inside and shouted at the readers; the Taunton Police Department stated the organization was nonviolent and no arrests were made. The Fall River Library also hosted another Drag Queen Story Hour on January 14th; however, this one was not interrupted as the members were protesting in Taunton.[13]

References
  1. "A reputed white supremacist group is making forays into Connecticut with demonstrations and flyers". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  2. "What is NSC-131? Neo-Nazi group getting bigger, more active". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  3. "It is happening here: Massachusetts has a growing neo-Nazi movement". News. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  4. Rapoport, David C. (2021). "The Capitol Attack and the 5th Terrorism Wave". Terrorism and Political Violence. 33 (5): 912–916. doi:10.1080/09546553.2021.1932338. S2CID 236457455.
  5. Somos, Christy (8 January 2021). "These are some of the extremist groups responsible for the violence on Capitol Hill". CTVNews. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  6. "Capitol Protesters And Rioters From Mass. Vow To Increase Ranks". www.wbur.org. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  7. "Group displays neo-Nazi symbols, 'Keep Boston Irish' sign at St. Patrick's Day parade". www.boston.com. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  8. "Neo-Nazi stunt at South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade condemned". IrishCentral.com. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  9. "'Repugnant': Boston officials condemn neo-Nazi group at St. Patrick's Day Parade". WCVB. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  10. "Dropkick Murphys file cease and desist order to stop neo-Nazis from using their music". PBS NewsHour. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  11. @DropkickMurphys (23 March 2022). "I'll be down M Street park on Saturday at 12:30 walking my dogs if you'll are looking to discuss" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  12. "Neo-Nazis Protest at Fall River Library Drag Queen Story Time".
  13. "Drag queen event at Taunton library disrupted by apparent neo-Nazi protesters".
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