City leaders, meanwhile, were advised that denying the AFA’s permit could leave Murdock vulnerable to a potentially devastating religious discrimination suit. Concerns turned to anger following Wednesday’s virtual city council meeting and were exacerbated by the council’s decision to conduct an off camera voice vote with no roll call. In recent years, White supremacist groups have started to co-opt obscure folk religions and promulgate hateful views under the guise of ancestral worship. Nielsen noted that even small groups can wield influence and don’t need many members to easily overwhelm city council or school board meetings in a small town. The AFA denies that it’s a hate group but admits that it does not allow anyone not of White, Northern European heritage.

Source: Washington Post December 14, 2020 11:04 UTC