A group of neo-Nazis waving swastikas and a sign that read “Jews love genocide” was spotted on a busy street corner in Winter Park, Florida over the weekend.
“Sad to report that Nazi scum and losers are back in Winter Park, holding their disgusting flags and banner,” Democratic state legislator Anna V Eskamani said in an X post on Saturday. “Working with local officials to see what options we have for accountability.”
Sad to report that Nazi scum and losers are back in Winter Park, holding their disgusting flags and banner. Working with local officials to see what options we have for accountability. pic.twitter.com/vTuTMu66iY
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) February 17, 2024
Rep. Eskamani posted several photos of the group, one of which appeared to show a member holding a sign which read, “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.”
Another member held a sign saying, “The ADL protects paedophiles,” referring to the antisemitism watchdog, the Anti-Defamation League.
It is not the first sighting of neo-Nazis in Winter Park. In 2022, groups of neo-Nazis and white supremacists bearing swastikas on their clothes and waving Nazi flags gathered outside of Disney World and in the nearby Orlando area. They allegedly yelled antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ+ slurs at passing cars, though no arrests were made according to the local sheriff’s office.
The ADL said the gathering was comprised of members of several neo-Nazi groups including Order of the Black Sun, Aryan Freedom Network and 14 First, a since disbanded group that has been absorbed into the National Socialist Movement, now thought to be the largest neo-Nazi group in the US.
Florida Governor and former presidential candidate Ron DeSantis has faced criticism for his lack of action over neo-Nazi demonstrations that have taken place in the state over recent years and has been notably silent after each incident.
When pressed on the matter in October last year, DeSantis defended himself, calling the neo-Nazi demonstrators “knuckleheads” and asking why he would “elevate that nonsense” by drawing attention to them, according to a report by the New York Times.
It is unclear whether the recent Winter Park demonstration was organised by one of the aforementioned neo-Nazi groups.
The Governor’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol have been contacted for comments.