Federal law enforcement has watched in the past year as chatter on hate-based websites increased with the popularity of Barack Obama. Obama may be a nightmare come true for the Aryan members. But it’s appears to be a dream come true for organizers trying to ramp up membership.
By The Associated Press
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — The Aryan Nations has returned to northern Idaho with what it is calling a “world headquarters” and a recruitment campaign.
Coeur d’Alene resident Jerald O’Brien, who has a large swastika tattoo on his scalp, is one of the leaders of the white supremacist group and said he expects membership to grow because of the election of President Barack Obama.
He told The Spokesman-Review newspaper that the president is the “greatest recruiting tool ever.”
Residents of a Coeur d’Alene subdivision found recruitment fliers on their lawns Friday and O’Brien said more fliers will be distributed. He said the group has “several handfuls” of members in the city.
The fliers show a young girl asking her father “Why did those dark men take mommy away?”
But many in the region reject the group.
“I saw Aryan Nations and put it in the trash,” said Garvin Jones. “What’s wrong with these people? Give me a break. I bet if you went back in their family history, not one is 100 percent white.”
The newspaper reported that most people interviewed about the fliers declined to be identified for fear of retribution.
