Nazis in New Haven

You know things are getting really bad when members of a Nazi hate group show up to chant their slogans outside a bookstore in New Haven.

That’s what happened here last weekend.

There they were, in their hoodies and black masks in a photo on the front page of the New Haven Register, with an accompanying story. The New Haven Independent ran a similar story, along with that chilling photo.

The Register and Independent reporters called them neo-Nazis. But I’m calling them Nazis. They were doing Nazi salutes in the street. And they chanted “NCS-131,” which stands for Nationalist Social Club. According to the Anti-Defamation League, NCS-131 is a neo-Nazi group based in New England.

Just wondering: do you think these punks would have come to New Haven if Kamala Harris had been elected president instead of Trump?

This is hitting way too close to home, and it follows the distribution in my New Haven neighborhood of flyers stating “Deportation Now” and “Get Out Nobody Wants You Here.”

Why was Never Ending Books targeted? It’s a non-profit that gives away books and hosts poetry readings, performances by local musicians and, oh yes, political meetings. Those groups include the Revolutionary Communists of America and Democratic Socialists of America.

For years I have known Never Ending Books as a warm and welcoming community gathering place. Two years ago my daughter Natalie and I were invited there to do readings from our two newly-published books. My old friend Roger Uihlein, who had by then turned over ownership of the property to a collaborative of young artists and activists, was the one who invited and introduced us to a receptive audience.

I called Roger this week to see if he wanted to say anything about those Nazis showing up at Never Ending Books. He hasn’t called me back, which doesn’t surprise me. Roger dislikes being quoted in any written accounts. But I can just imagine how he’s feeling right now. Saddened, yes. But also defiant.

New Haven’s not gonna take it! When word leaked that Nazis were headed to Never Ending Books, about 30 of the store’s supporters formed outside the entrance to face the intruders and to shout “Whose streets? Our streets!” The Nazis, seeing they were outnumbered, remained across the street, chanting their stupid slogans. When the police arrived, the Nazis split.

Volume Two Collective, which now runs Never Ending Books, posted a message on its website, titled “Some uninvited guests.” The message read: “As you may have heard, several self-identified neo-Nazis stopped by the shop last night. Everyone is safe and there was no violence. We appreciate everyone who came out to support us, and for those of you who reached out to us today. Our community is strong and resilient. All scheduled events will continue as planned. The best way to help at this time is to show up in solidarity — get to the gig!”

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker: “We won’t stand for it. People should feel welcome in our community to be themselves, and such a hateful group targeting an establishment that welcomes so many people in our community is unacceptable.”

Something else happened in New Haven last weekend, and it beautifully, forcefully illustrated what this community is all about: the annual IRIS Run For the Refugees. Integrated Refugee and Immigration Services, based in New Haven, continues to provide services to those newly-arrived in our country, despite Trump’s financial cutbacks and threats. Although we got several inches of snow Saturday night, about 3,000 runners and walkers came out for that run Sunday at noon. I was there with them — I make it a point to always run this race, as does Mayor Elicker — and the spirit this year was stronger than ever.