http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061222/METRO/612220366/1003

Neo-Nazis try to recruit in Macomb County. White supremacist group drops off literature in Roseville, with plans for other communities.

ROSEVILLE — Macomb County is being targeted by a neo-Nazi group whose members are distributing fliers bearing swastikas and messages of white supremacy.

The fliers, which were printed by the Port Huron-based National Socialist Movement of Michigan, proclaim the group stands for “quality neighborhood schools for every white child without jibbering non-whites,” and “telling pushy minority agitators where they can go.”

Another flier printed by the group bears the headline, “Stop the Jewish War.”

Dozens of fliers were delivered in Roseville this week, and group members say they plan to drop off the literature in other Macomb County communities in the coming weeks.

The latest deluge of racist literature marks the second time in recent months that such material has been distributed in Roseville. In October, an edition of The Klansmen’s Voice newsletter — a publication of the United Northern and Southern Knights of the Ku Klux Klan — was left on driveways on Normandy on the city’s southeast side.

The National Socialist Movement is targeting Macomb County in an effort to increase membership, said Dan Hill, the organization’s northern director.

“We get people who complain when we do a literature drive — but we get just as many people who call us asking for more information,” Hill said. “We go county by county, and right now we’re in Macomb County.”

Hill said Roseville, Sterling Heights and Warren are areas where fliers have been dropped off. “We’ve done Warren for a long time,” he said.

The most recent fliers in Roseville were delivered earlier this week in the area of 11 Mile and Hayes. On some streets, the fliers were still on lawns and sidewalks Thursday.

“It’s disgusting,” said Gina Perugi, who saw a man and a woman put a flier on her lawn Wednesday. “This is a great neighborhood, with people from different races living here. Everybody gets along here, and the kids don’t need to see this kind of trash.”

Gregory Murray, spokesman for the Ministerial Alliance of Macomb County, a coalition of African-American church ministers and activists in Macomb County, called the fliers “a shame.”

“Roseville is actually one of the more progressive communities in Macomb County,” Murray said. “It’s very unfortunate and regrettable.”

One of the fliers is printed to resemble a missing children alert. The word, “Missing,” is printed over a picture of a smiling young girl. Underneath the picture is the caption, “a future for white children.”

A description follows: “Red, blond or brown hair, fair skin anti-white special interest groups have stolen her future.”

Hill took offense at the fliers being called racist.

“Is it hateful? Some might call it hateful. I don’t,” he said. “We believe in our heritage, and that’s what we try to promote. We want to be separate. There have never been any acts of violence by our members that weren’t instigated.”

Perugi’s brother, Bob Perugi, who lives across the street from his sister, also was the recipient of the fliers. He said there’s no question the literature is tinged with hate.

“I’m a Christian, and this really bothers me,” he said. “I can understand freedom of speech. But I wish they’d just express themselves on the Internet. Don’t come into my neighborhood spreading this stuff where children can get a hold of it.”

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Below is an email I sent to the reporter of this story, George Hunter. mailto:ghunter@detnews.com

Mr. Hunter,

This is in regards to your recent story about “Neo-Nazis” targeting Macomb County with “messages of White Supremacy”. I’ve read many, many stories covering similar events and I can’t help but notice the boiler plate style in which these events are reported.

1. The fliers are described by the reporter as “white supremecist” or “hate literature”.
2. The Reporter interviews a spokesman for the “hate group”.
3. The Reporter interviews members of the community who say “I don’t want this stuff in my neighborhood”.

It is really amazing how similar every single one of these stories is. There is almost NEVER any deviation from this boiler plate spec. The bias which is inherent in these types of stories is also mind boggling. The “members of the community” always, always get the last word and their quotes put at the end of the story. The reporter NEVER finds anyone who agrees with the message and there is always a negative spin at the conclusion. The reporter always use the term “white supremecist” at the beginning of the story, even though the spokesman for the” hate group” specifically states that they are not “White Supremacists”. This shows BIAS and DISHONESTY on the part of the reporter.

However, I always find a few interesting nuggets in these stories though. Usually they are impressively ironic, as if even the reporter is making a mockery of the boiler plate which his editor has commanded him to use.

First, I find it interesting that you interviewed Gregory Murray who is the leader of a coalition of African American church ministers. In your eyes a coalition of Black Ministers isn’t racist, but White a group that passes out fliers in support of their race is racist. Surely you must see the irony here Mr. Hunter.

Second, Gregory Murray says that “Roseville is a progressive community”. My question is: “progressive for who?” It sounds like Roseville is a great place to be if you’re a black minister and want to be involved in a group of black ministers. On the other hand it sounds like they certainly wouldn’t allow a coalition of White ministers. I’m sure, Mr. Hunter, that you would be writing another one of your boiler plate stories if this type of group ever materialized.

I wish I could say you’re doing a good job but it seems you’re just doing what you’re told and we all know that no one ever gets ahead in journalism without taking risks.

I’ve posted this story and my letter to
you on my blog at http://www.detroitiscrap.blogspot.com. Talk to you again soon, I’m sure.


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