Aryan Nation Congress 2000
Information
In 2000 I travelled to Idaho to document the Aryan Nation Congress 2000. The Aryan Nation was a hardcore white supremacist Christian group.
They were at the very far end of the right wing extremist movements and were classified as a ’terrorist threat’ by the US government in 2001. The Congress was held at the group HQ in Hayden, Idaho.
I was interested to see first hand the people behind these extreme ideologies. I wasn’t the only observer there. I was joined by several academics
looking into the backdrops of the groups supporters. Outside of the core ideologists the group was made up from mainly white lower working class
supporters who had little to feel good about. Believing in themselves as part of a superior ‘race’ gave supporters a greater sense of self worth.
The elderly leader, Richard Butler, gave what I can only describe as the most venomous speeches I’ve ever heard. I had to leave the hall as I
felt like I was going to faint such was the force of his hatred. It makes you wonder were and how someone could get to such a state of being.
Butler was sued by the Southern Poverty Law Center for $6 million. He declared bankruptcy and they had to sell all their property. Butler died in 2004.
They were at the very far end of the right wing extremist movements and were classified as a ’terrorist threat’ by the US government in 2001. The Congress was held at the group HQ in Hayden, Idaho.
I was interested to see first hand the people behind these extreme ideologies. I wasn’t the only observer there. I was joined by several academics
looking into the backdrops of the groups supporters. Outside of the core ideologists the group was made up from mainly white lower working class
supporters who had little to feel good about. Believing in themselves as part of a superior ‘race’ gave supporters a greater sense of self worth.
The elderly leader, Richard Butler, gave what I can only describe as the most venomous speeches I’ve ever heard. I had to leave the hall as I
felt like I was going to faint such was the force of his hatred. It makes you wonder were and how someone could get to such a state of being.
Butler was sued by the Southern Poverty Law Center for $6 million. He declared bankruptcy and they had to sell all their property. Butler died in 2004.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
Attendees at the Aryan Nations Congress 2000.
