Neo-Nazis protested during the Student Action Summit of the conservative Turning Point USA, a non-profit organization that has a long history of racism and antisemitism.
Turning Point USA is a non-profit organization that advocates for conservative values in high school, college and university campuses. It held its Student Action Summit on Sunday, July 24, in Tampa, Florida. On the second day of the conference, over 100 neo-Nazis marched from Lykes Gaslight Square Park to the Tampa Convention Center, waving swastika flags and antisemitic signs.
A group was flaunting signs reading “DeSantis Country,” along with flags of swastikas. They also distributed flyers by the Goyim Defense League reading, “Every single aspect of abortion is Jewish”, reports The Jerusalem Post. GDL is an Internet-based network of individuals who connect through antisemitism. They are connected to a handful of organizers and public figures, and have thousands of followers. According to the Anti-Defamation League, they have been responsible for around 74 antisemitic incidents since 2021.
Liora Rez, executive director of Stopantisemitism.org expressed frustration about the rise in neo-Nazi activity in Florida and the lack of government action. According to research, antisemitism has risen by 50% in Florida over the last year.
Florida Holocaust Museum chairman Michael Igel labelled the event as “an indefensible act of hatred,” arguing that such demonstrations are a threat to Jews overall.
Nevertheless, according to a spokesperson representing Turning Point USA (TPUSA), Andrew Kolvet, there is no affiliation that connects it to the neo-Nazi group and activities.
“They have nothing to do with TPUSA, our event, or our students. Our students took the mature route and vacated the space the Nazi flag holders were in. Once that happened, they left,” Kolvet explained.
State Senator Janet Cruz strongly condemned the neo-Nazi demonstration, highlighting that Tampa was “founded on diversity and inclusion”, calling for the rejection of “this bigoted display”.
Photo credit: Dave Decker