If you thought Donald Trump rallies in New York were intolerant, check out these vintage photographs of a mass meeting of the Friends of New Germany, the predecessor to the American Bund or American Nazi Party, at Madison Square Garden from the 1930s.
After the dissolution of the Friends, a successive group, officially unconnected to the German government, was formed — the German American Bund. The Bund continued the campaigns of anti-Semitism, anti-Communism and violent rhetoric, but wrapped them in patriotic, pro-American symbolism, holding up portraits of George Washington as “the first Fascist.” The Bund reached the height of its prominence on February 20, 1939, when some 20,000 members held a “Pro-America Rally” in Madison Square Garden.
The images almost seem out of a dystopian future with the juxtaposition of the swastika and George Washington. Read the full article for more information on our slightly darker past.
via Mashable
Originally published on August 7th, 2016
Joshua Mu
Contributing Writer
When he is not attempting to hustle the hustlers of Central Park, Joshua enjoys exploring the depths of what New York has to offer. He one day hopes to pilot a drone without immediately crashing it.
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