UNCLASSIFIED

White Supremacist Extremist Imagery

White supremacist extremists often use imagery that can be broken down into four categories—traditional, religious, Nazi-related, and Internet-based—to convey their ideology, show support for a specific group, or intimidate minority populations. These symbols should not automatically be assumed to be hate-related, but should be evaluated in the context in which they are used.

Traditional Traditional white supremacist extremist ideology focuses on the supposed superiority of the white race and past grievances associated with minorities achieving equal rights. Traditional symbols stem from white racial dominance and a hatred toward others. WPWW Stands for “White Pride World Wide.” 88 ZOG White supremacist Represents a common phrase The letter H is the eighth letter of extremists adopted the The MIOAK—Mystic Insignia used among white supremacist the alphabet. In an alpha-numeric Combat boots with colored laces Stands for “Zionist Occupied Government,” a phrase white supremacist Aryan Fist in the 1980s of a Klansman or the Blood Drop extremists: “We must secure the code in which a letter of the alphabet represent the clothing of the neo- extremists use—implying that Jewish agents secretly control all forms of to demonstrate strength Cross—is a commonly used image existence of our people and a corresponds to a number, a double-8 Nazi skinhead movement. the government. and unity within the of the Ku Klux Klan. future for white children.” translates to HH, or “Heil Hitler.” movement.

Religious

White supremacist extremists use religion to convey authority and credibility and to establish a sense of community among members. For example, some claim that Christianity shows whites are the true descendants of the original Hebrews and that all non-white, or non-European people, are “sub-human.” Their interpretation of Odinism—a pagan religion that adheres to —promotes Northern European roots and supports “warrior values” to legitimize violence.

The Celtic cross— sometimes referred The Phineas Priesthood is an RaHoWa stands for “Racial —’s Hammer to as ’s Cross— is a variation The Valknut symbolizes the The Othala rune and the Wolfsangel are part of the runic alphabet ideology that is opposed to interracial Holy War.” It is used to describe in the of the Christian cross. Norwegian afterlife and a willingness to give system—an important component of Norse mythology. Nazi Germany relationships and race mixing, an inevitable future race war Odinist religion. white supremacist extremists initially one’s life to the Norse god, Odin. adopted both for use in military patches. referencing a story in the Old between whites and non-whites. adopted it during World War II. Testament.

Nazi

White supremacist extremists continue to admire the German Nazi Party and use military emblems of the Third Reich to identify with the violent ideals and genocidal actions toward minorities and the effort to build an “Aryan nation.”

The SS bolts represent The Totenkopf—also The Nazi Triskele is a variation The Sonnenrad is an ancient The Iron Cross with a The Fasces—an ancient Roman the Schutzstaffel (SS)— known as Death’s Head— of an ancient European symbol, European symbol the Germans The Swastika has origins in several cultures, but was alludes to German military symbol of power—is the origin the paramilitary wing was a military patch some redesigned to resemble a appropriated during the Nazi adopted as the primary identifier of Nazi Germany. power during the Third Reich. of the word “fascism.” of the Nazi Party during SS units used during swastika. era. World War II. World War II.

Internet

White supremacist extremists have been able to create, appropriate, and spread new images—often seemingly harmless characters and objects—through websites, social media platforms, and forums. These sites attract Internet trolls—individuals who post inflammatory or off-topic messages in an online community with the intent to provoke a response. They often post pictures with implicit or explicit threats of violence. ((( )))

Pepe the Frog is a cartoon The echo—three parentheses with a name inside—is used to label character used in white “Da Goyim Know”—“goyim” being non-Jewish people— The Republic of Kekistan is a fictional country associated with Pepe individuals or organizations as Jewish. People opposed to anti-Semitism use supremacist extremist memes— is a phrase used to imply white supremacist extremist the Frog. White supremacist extremists use the “republic” to represent a the echo on their own social media profiles as a sign of solidarity with Jewish images, video, and text designed knowledge of a Jewish conspiracy. sovereign nation of whites. people and opposition to prejudice. to spread widely on the Internet.

Joshua Steever Case Study

On April 13, the leader of Aryan Missing right corner matches Nazi Thor’s Hammer Strikeforce—Joshua Steever from military divisional insignia from Phillipsburg (Warren County), New World War II Jersey—was arrested along with five other members for allegedly The colors—black, white and red—refer to conspiring to sell methamphetamine, Imperial Germany firearms, and machinegun parts to fund the organization’s activities. Refers to Odinism and an area of North Steever has numerous arrests Totenkopf America Norse Vikings explored throughout the United States, including bias offenses and Celtic Cross aggravated assault. Aryan Strikeforce has over 30 chapters domestically and Combat 18 is a reference to a neo-Nazi internationally. The group creates Aryan Strikeforce in the style of the organization that originated in the United and uses a variety of images—relying German SS Lightening bolt heavily on neo-Nazi ideology. Kingdom in 1992

UNCLASSIFIED Information cutoff: July 27, 2017