UNCLASSIFIED

Black Separatist Extremists

Background Threat to New Jersey: Moderate US Nexus

• Black separatist extremists are individuals or groups that seek to establish Groups operating in New Jersey are unlikely to plot or conduct attacks • On December 28, 2019, Grafton Thomas entered a rabbi’s home in an independent nation for people of African descent through force or despite espousing hate-based rhetoric due to disorganization and lack of Monsey, , and stabbed five people, critically injuring two. violence and other criminal activity. They claim superiority over white consistent leadership, as they mainly continue to focus on activities related Thomas attempted to continue the attack at a synagogue next to the home, people, are typically anti-Semitic, and oppose integration and interracial to narcotics, illegal weapons, and financial crimes.Lone offenders, however, but parishioners inside locked the doors and prevented him from entering. marriage. may draw inspiration from the black separatist ideology and can act without Thomas fled the scene, but authorities captured him hours later in New warning. York City. The federal complaint charging Thomas with hate crimes noted • The intent and capability of black separatist groups vary by chapter and writings in his journal had anti-Semitic messages and possible references region. At least two groups are active in New Jersey: the New Black • In January 2020, the leader of the ICGJC and a subordinate were to Black Hebrew Israelites; however, he has no other known link to the Panther Party (NBPP) and the Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ sentenced in New Jersey to federal prison for their respective roles in a tax black separatist ideology. (ICGJC). The NBPP portrays itself as a militant modern expression of fraud conspiracy that used church money to pay for the leader’s personal the original ; however, representatives of the original expenses. The two used a variety of methods to cover up the scheme to • On October 14, 2019, Larry Greene (aka Elijah Israel), a self-identified group have denounced the “exploitation of the party’s name and history” take advantage of millions of dollars in donations, including claiming the Black Hebrew Israelite, assaulted two people as they were leaving a and have called the organization “a black racist .” The ICGJC leader earned his wealth through a fraudulent entertainment company. prayer service at a local synagogue in Miami. Greene was charged with justifies its rhetoric with religious ideology and believes its members are They were charged with concealing their earnings from the IRS and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon as he approached the true Hebrew descendants. NBPP and ICGJC promote violent and hate- failing to pay at least $250,000 in personal income taxes. the victims, threatening to kill them with a knife while yelling anti- based rhetoric against law enforcement, government officials, the Jewish Semitic remarks. Greene referred to the victims as “fake Jews” and community, and white people. • On December 10, 2019, David Anderson and Francine Graham killed claimed that he was “the real son of God.” three people and injured three when they targeted a kosher grocery store in Jersey City (Hudson County) shortly after killing a police detective at a nearby cemetery. The shooters espoused anti-Semitic and anti-law enforcement views prior to the attack, according to authorities. A review of Anderson’s social media activity highlighted direct threats toward these groups and support for the Black Hebrew Israelite ideology. This ideology asserts that black people are the true descendants of the Israelites and that the white and Jewish communities are the enemy, as well as law enforcement who protect them.

Grafton Thomas stabbed Larry Greene assaulted • The New Jersey NBPP last organized a rally in 2011, when it protested a five people at a rabbi’s congregants leaving a National Socialist Movement gathering outside the State House in Trenton home in Monsey, synagogue in Miami. (Mercer County). New Jersey NBPP members are known to attach New York. themselves to other chapters during highly publicized racially divisive incidents, including protests in Ferguson, Missouri; Sanford, Florida; and Baltimore. The ICGJC is not known for violence, but some members participate in criminal activity, particularly financial crimes they believe New Black Panther Party logo are ordained by God to help members survive in a world dominated by white people. Additional Resources 2020 Terrorism Threat Assessment David Anderson and Francine Graham attacked Based in Hate: Rising Threats From Domestic Extremists a kosher grocery store in Jersey City.

Information cutoff: February 25, 2020 UNCLASSIFIED