Correction: In a previous version of this story, Patch misstated that the author’s book talk was a part of American University’s “National Antiracist Book Festival.” The book talk happened the same day, but was not part of the festival.
WASHINGTON, DC — Video shows white nationalist protesters marching and chanting through a bookstore Saturday near American University as an author discussed his book on racism. A group of white males walked single-file through the Politics and Prose bookstore, shouting “AIM,” an acronym for the white nationalist group American Identity Movement, WTOP-TV reported.
While the event was held the same day as American University’s first annual “National Antiracist Book Festival,” the author’s talk wasn’t officially part of the university festival, a university spokeswoman told Patch on Monday.
Author Jonathan Metzl had been talking to a small crowd about his new book, “Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America’s Heartland.” The book talks about how some white people resonate with politicians vowing to make their lives better but are peddling policies that actually increase the odds they get sick or die, The Washington Post reported.
A 45-secong video taken at the event showed several white males, including one wielding a megaphone, walk single file and repeatedly shout “AIM,” before exiting the store. They also chanted, “this land is our land.”
The disruption did not last longer than that and no violence was reported. The audience didn’t seem particularly welcoming of the message
“We just let them have their say, expecting they would leave, and they did,” bookstore co-owner Bradley Graham told The Post. “It doesn’t often happen here. It’s a sign of the times.”
Metzl said the group even had a videographer.
“It was pretty intense. I think everyone was really surprised. I get lots of threats on voice mail, but this was the first time in person,” he said.
A band of “white nationalists” just interrupted a talk by @JonathanMetzl about his new book called “Dying of Whitness” at @PoliticsProse. @PoPville pic.twitter.com/nlXRXdAkcX
— Katy Cain (@KatyCain526) April 27, 2019
American Identity Movement was launched by Patrick Casey, who assumed control of the college-focused white nationalist organization Identity Evropa, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The SPLC tracks hate groups nationwide.
The rebranding seemed to be in an effort to distance Casey and his followers from Identity Evropa, which was tied to the deadly 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. American Identity Movement members previously stood outside the Tennessee State Capitol holding banners that read “This land is our land” and “Defend America.”
“While Identity Evropa’s aesthetic was an amalgam of superficial references to ‘European culture,’ AIM is more heavily steeped in worn Americana,” the SPLC writes. “Instead of IE’s Greco-Roman imagery, AIM’s posters recycle American turn-of-the-century and Cold War propaganda.”