Today in Houston, local anarchists and other leftist groups came together to host a book fair featuring workshops, speakers, and free literature. For a city that has lost so much over the past month, one would think that such a wholesome fucking event would be free of Nazi attempts at intimidation. Unfortunately, that is not the world we live in.
Between 20-30 members of the white supremacist group, Vanguard America gathered outside the book fair. Remember them? Vanguard America made headlines in August when one of their members James Alex Fields, drove his car into a group of anti-fascists, killing Heather Heyer and injuring several others. Their members like to dress up in khakis and white polo shirts (mayo, anyone?), chant “Blood and Soil”, and look like the Nazis they are….btw, nice mask.
From a comrade:
“So, today I went to the Anarchist Book Fair in Houston. It started off on time and was going smoothly until the folks volunteering to run security had all their walkie talkies blow up with chatter. Seconds later they asked for more people to help hold the doors and Nazis were here. At 11:30 around 20-30 white nationalists in polo shirts and white and black masks and a banner with the slogan “Blood and Soil” on it rushed towards the door. I’m uncertain if they tried to cross the door or not. By the time i got to the door, a handful were at the top of the steps shouting “Come Punch a Nazi”.
By this time, most people had masked up and the Nazis had popped white and black smoke flair’s. We made preparations to barricade the doors and people had gone to the supply closet and broke mops and brooms and passed around the Handel’s in case we needed to use them.
By this time they had gathered at the bottom of the stairs and began to chant “anti white” a few times till it petered out and they began chanting “Blood and Soil”. After 15 minutes they had left and we went out to escort people in who were attempting to attend the book fair. We saw one cop car sitting on the corner, who did not make an attempt to step in. Nobody was hurt and we went back to our fair and our scheduled workshops.”
It should also be mentioned that this comrade is currently engaging in mutal aid with Houston grassroots group. Groups such as BASH are working tirelessly to provide basic medical care and necessities to oppressed Houston communities in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
In Solidarity.