Neo-Nazi groups hold combat events at Virginia compound, raising alarms

A network of militant neo-Nazi active clubs from across the U.S. has been participating in riot-style combat events at a secretive compound in Virginia, run by the Wolves of Vinland, identified by the SPLC as a white nationalist hate group. Social media posts reveal that members from Texas, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania have traveled to Lynchburg for training and combat events, which their founder describes as a "tip-off point for a fascist cultural revolution."

Participants included a licensed school teacher, a former police officer, and other individuals with ties to local communities. The gatherings featured an eight-versus-eight brawl, with members of the active clubs, Patriot Front, and the Wolves engaging in combat training at an affiliated gym. Experts warn that these groups, which blend rightwing extremism with fitness and combat sports, pose a significant public safety threat.

The involvement of individuals such as Logan Florence, a licensed teacher, raises concerns about the recruitment of young people into extremist ideologies. The gatherings serve as a platform for networking and training, with the potential to create a more organized and dangerous movement. Alexander Ritzmann from the Counter Extremism Project noted that the active club movement is evolving into a disciplined network with a focus on building infrastructure and community.

The recent events at the Virginia compound illustrate the growing coordination among these extremist groups, which have been linked to violent threats in both the U.S. and abroad. The FBI has indicated connections between active club affiliates and efforts to form armed paramilitary units, further underscoring the potential for violence.

What to watch: Members of multiple active clubs are expected to converge again on the Wolves’ Virginia compound for further training and networking.