A supporter of an antisemitic, racist, anti-LGBT+ neo-Nazi group has been charged with the homophobic assault of his neighbour in California.
Robert Wilson, 40, from San Diego, California, is a supporter of the neo-Nazi group Goyim Defense League.
The group believes in an impending “white genocide”, denies the Holocaust, insists Jewish people were behind 9/11, spreads COVID-19 misinformation, and is viciously opposed to LGBT+ folk and feminism.
This month, according to 10 News San Diego, Wilson was cited for participating in hanging “a large antisemitic poster on the fence of an Interstate 805 overpass”.
According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Wilson is an activist for Goyim Defense League, and the banner he helped to hang read: “Jewish supremacy censors speech about Jewish supremacy.”
The Neo-Nazi Goyim Defense League has done it again: an antisemitic banner was hung over a bridge on Adams Ave in San Diego over the weekend.
Hanging hateful signs with antisemitic messages over highways has become a very popular method among far-right groups in recent years. pic.twitter.com/pe1bwx76b5
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) December 20, 2021
Another banner hung by the group on the same day, according to ADL, read: “Honk if white lives matter.”
Wilson is facing charges over an alleged homophobic hate crime.
According to the San Diego County district attorney’s office, he is accused of blocking his neighbour into his driveway before screaming homophobic slurs, reaching into his car and hitting him in the face.
He has been charged with one count of felony battery and a hate crime allegation over the alleged incident on 10 November, and has pleaded not guilty.
District attorney Summer Stephan is including Wilson’s violation of the San Diego City municipal code by hanging the antisemitic banner in the charges against him, and if convicted he could face up to three-and-a-half years in prison.
Stephan said in a statement: “This case and these events demonstrate that those who are motivated by prejudice often spread their hate around to various groups, attacking our neighbours on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation or other grounds.
“Hate against one group is a threat to everyone and we won’t tolerate these crimes in our community. Anyone considering committing a hate crime should think again as they will be investigated, prosecuted and held accountable under the law.”
Following a readiness hearing on 5 January, Wilson’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 19 January.