The story of an up-and-coming leader of the National Socialist Movement illustrates how some in the white supremacy movement use immigration as "potent neo-Nazi talking point."
Jeff Hall, a California man who was killed earlier this month, used the wave of anti-immigrant sentiment to attract new members, including skinheads and Klu Klux Klan members, according to a story in today's The New York Times.
Hall, 32, apparently spent much of his time on armed "border patrols." A photo in the article shows him teaching a member to pull a knife from his belt before a patrol. He bought night vision goggles and a ham radio license. According to the Times, he also bragged that he was teaching his 10-year-old son to use night vision equipment and shoot a gun.
His son has been accused of shooting his father after the boy was found with a handgun near his father dead on the living room couch. Details on the shooting are slim. Police say the killing was intentional, but motives are not clear, according to the Times.
You can read The New York Times story here. And don't miss their multimedia slideshow on their photography blog, Lens. They gained incredible access into the lives of the movement.
The photo above is of Virgil Griffin, the former Imperial Wizard of the Mount Holly-based chapter of the Klu Klux Klan in Gaston County.
We wrote in 2007 how the The Ku Klux Klan's once-diminishing numbers are increasing as the group exploits fears over illegal immigration, according to organizations that track hate groups.
Griffin, who died two years ago, said then that he had not seen membership grow so fast since the 1960s, when he joined. He said immigration was the No. 1 issue among the younger members.
Edward Fincher, 21, who is standing behind Griffin in the above photo, agree. A colonel in the Griffin Knights, he said he's concerned about illegal immigrants taking over. He's worried about his two kids being forced to learn Spanish in school and it's getting more difficult to find work.
According to the Times, a group of Hall's supporters will spread his ashes on the border during a patrol.
Top Photo: 2/8/2007 - Virgil Griffin, Imperial Wizard of the Cleveland Knights of the Ku Klux Klan poses for a portrait with two members of his "security detail", Donnie Fincher, 54 (right) and his son, Edward Fincher, 21. GARY O'BRIEN - gobrien@charlotteobserver.com
Griffin, who died two years ago, said then that he had not seen membership grow so fast since the 1960s, when he joined. Border Patrol
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