Neofascist Fight Clubs Endorsing Youth Clubs in the US

SOURCE www.theguardian.com
American neofascist fight clubs are endorsing youth-oriented offshoots aimed at grooming the next generation of racist activists by combining fitness and mixed martial arts with neo-Nazi and fascist ideologies.

Key Points

  • Youth clubs are emerging as a dangerous form of far-right political organizing, combining fitness, MMA, and neo-Nazi ideologies.
  • These clubs target young men and boys, using the popularity of UFC and combat sports as a gateway to recruitment.
  • The youth clubs promote white nationalism and American nationalism among members aged 18 and under.
  • The groups have close to a thousand followers nationwide, showing signs of national coordination and vetting.
  • The clubs have direct links to active clubs, sharing posts and similar logos.
  • The founder of the network of active clubs, Robert Rundo, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to riot in 2017, emphasizing the importance of recruiting young men and boys for the fascist movement.