Boise Preps
For Neo-Nazi Fest
Police in Boise, Idaho, are on alert in the leadup to a neo-Nazi music festival that’s been advertised in the region.
Hammerfest, organized by white supremacist group Hammerskin Nation, is reportedly scheduled for Oct. 6, though online flyers do not indicate a specific time or location for the event. Authorities say the Hammerskins are a “hate group” and the event is being held to recruit new members.
“What they do is … bring in well known skinhead bands to play music at certain venues in order to recruit young adult white males into their organizations,” Boise Police Sergeant Jeff Basterrechea told the local KTVB News.
Basterrechea added there’s a fine line to tread when it comes to festivals like Hammerfest. While it’s not illegal for the group to host an event, police will monitor the concert to make sure things don’t get out of hand.
“What we try to do is respect everybody’s First Amendment rights, but in the same sense, we have to make sure these groups [Hammerskins and potential protestors] don’t comingle because a lot of times what happens is you have these events turn very violent,” he said.
Though one website named Boise Centre as the event venue, officials said on Facebook the building is not hosting Hammerfest.
“This event is not being held at Boise Centre and we are not affiliated with the event or the promoters,” the venue said. “We have contacted hotlist.com to remove the incorrect listing.”
Authorities have alerted other local venues of the group, KTVB said.
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