| Anti-racist Action |
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| anti-neo-nazi activism | |
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| 1987 establishments | |
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HISTORY ARA started in Minneapolis , Minnesota in 1987 . Since then it has expanded to different communities, countries and continents. Members of Love And Rage , a Revolution ary anarchist organization played a major role in building ARA groups and the ARA Network in the 1990s . They are sometimes associated with the Skinhead and Punk Subculture s and work with organizations such as Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice (SHARP). In Canada, they were involved in a number of violent incidents in the 1990s which included a 1993 brawl on Parliament Hill in Ottawa with members of the Neo-Nazi Heritage Front in which several Heritage Front members, including RaHoWa lead singer George Burdi , were arrested. The ARA staged a subsequent Protest in Toronto outside the rented house of Heritage Front spokesman Gary Schipper . During the protest, several individuals allegedly entered Schipper's house and proceeded to Vandalise the home, allegedly causing approximately $20,000 in property damage. Following this event members of the Heritage Front, including its leader, Wolfgang Droege , attacked members of ARA outside of a Toronto pub resulting in the arrest and conviction of Droege and several of his associates for aggravated assault. Dan and "Spit" On July 4 , 1998 , two Las Vegas ARA members - Daniel Shersty and Lin Newborn were murdered by Neo-Nazis in the desert outside Las Vegas. Shot at close range with a shotgun, they were found murdered in an area of the desert known to be used by white supremacists for target practice. Baltimore 28 On August 24 , 2002 , a large Neo-nazi demonstration was planned in Washington, D.C. Some groups of Neo-nazis were planning to take the bus from the Baltimore Travel Plaza to Washington . Also present at the Travel Plaza were a number of ARA affiliates, mostly Baltimore Punk Rock fans and activists, demonstrating against the Nazis . In the confusion and melee that resulted, 28 of the ARA activists were cornered by Baltimore City Police and arrested. Within about 36 hours most had been released from jail. Many claimed that they were not Properly Informed about any crime they had committed until their release, if informed at all. The group became known as the Baltimore 28 or '''Anti Racist 28'''. At many following local Punk shows, donations were taken in their name for a legal defense fund and to pay back borrowed Bail money. The resulting charges to 26 of the 28 included Inciting A Riot , Malicious Destruction Of Property , and Disorderly Conduct . One of the '''28''' was not charged with any crimes due to his status as a minor. Zündel opposition On September 12 2004 , an ARA organized protest in Toronto followed supporters of Ernst Zündel to Jack Astor's restaurant at 1900 The Queensway from a "Free Zündel" rally that took place at the Metro West Detention Centre in Etobicoke where Zündel was being held on a Security Certificate . Four anti-racists and five Zündel supporters were arrested that day. Weapons charges against the Zündel supporters are still before the courts, including those against Tomasz Winnicki and Jason King for possession of a cross-bow and "throwing knives" and against Richard Portree for allegedly wielding a shard of broken glass as a weapon. Charges against the anti-racists included mischief and common nuisance. Two individuals were also changed with weapons for having a picket sign and flag respectively. Four anti-racists were charged with Mischief and being a common Nuisance as the result of a fracas with individuals the police described as "neo-Nazis" at a suburban restaurant. Three of the four were charged with "weapons" for carrying banners and flags. The anti-racists were all acquitted. 2005 Toledo Riot The ARA network and affiliates played a strong role in organizing resistance to the National Socialist Movement's planned march to protest alleged gang activity in the North End of Toledo, Ohio on October 15 , 2005 . ARA MEMBERS
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