ADL press release about the role of Anti-Globalism Action Network (AGAN) in Calgary g-8 protests.

Press Release

Deceptive Web Site Attempts to Lure Anti-Globalization Activists to Neo-Nazi Movement

New York, NY, July 11, 2002 ... An Internet site purporting to represent a collection of anti-globalization activists appears to be a front for the National Alliance, one of the nation's largest and most active anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi organizations. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today warned that the site seems to suggest "a deceptive new tactic" by hate groups to lure activists on the radical left into the hate movement.

Calling itself the Anti-Globalization Action Network (AGAN), the Web site [http://www.g8activist.com] uses a domain name practically identical to that of a Canadian Web site catering to anti-globalization activists. However, anyone coming across the AGAN home page is immediately exposed to a glowing promotion for the National Alliance, which the site describes as a "controversial white nationalist organization." The AGAN site says it is taking the "bold step" of linking to the National Alliance Web site in Canada, while "confirming its independence" from the group.

"Since the World Trade Organization protests in Seattle, white supremacists have taken great interest in the destructive and violent elements of some anti-globalization rallies. This Web site appears to be a deceptive new tactic by hate groups to encourage the most violent and radical activists to redirect their anger by joining the ranks of the National Alliance," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "The white supremacists once again are taking advantage of the Internet by creating what appears to be a legitimate grass-roots Web site, which is in reality just a front for bigotry, racism and anti-Semitism."

AGAN first surfaced after it issued a "press release," which appeared on several anti-globalization sites. The statement predicted a "cycle of violence" at the G8 meetings in Kananaskis, Canada in June. While there is no evidence of a direct link between AGAN and the National Alliance, the Canadian NA Web site [http://www.natall.ca] has posted an article highlighting the participation by its members in the protests in Kananaskis.

The article said the NA enjoyed "some success in reaching out to established anti-globalists." The article goes on to say that the NA "looks forward to the next opportunity" to recruit members "from both ends of the political spectrum."

Claim to be "Pro-Environment"

Meanwhile, the National Alliance leadership has recently attempted to draw similarities between the anti-globalization movement and hate groups. Billy Roper, the Deputy Membership Coordinator of the NA, based at the group's West Virginia compound, has gone so far as to describe the neo-Nazi group as "pro-environment."

"We find that a lot of well-intentioned White youth have been brainwashed by the controlled media and the establishment, and naturally want to rebel, but they understand that the only acceptable form of rebellion is that which maintains the myth of universal equality," Roper said recently. "Once they discover that White Nationalists are also anti-capitalist and anti-establishment and pro-environment … they begin to understand that we are the true revolutionaries."

Other white supremacist groups have expressed interest in the anti-globalization movement, suggesting that the World Trade Organization and other organizations are really an extension of "the Jew World Order." Matt Hale, leader of the white supremacist World Church of the Creator, has said that he considered the demonstrations in Seattle "incredibly successful from the point of view of the rioters as well as our Church. They helped shut down talks of the Jew World Order and helped make a mockery of the Jewish Occupational Government around the world. Bravo."

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.