Neo-Nazis Emerge in Bay Area Amid Federal Lawsuit Over Violent Hate Rally
A notorious neo-Nazi leader has resurfaced in Petaluma, California, sparking a federal lawsuit over a violent hate rally in Tennessee. Jon Minadeo II, who grew up in Marin and Sonoma counties, was previously arrested for promoting antisemitic propaganda through his group, the Goyim Defense League.
Minadeo's return to the Bay Area comes amid allegations of violent behavior at a multi-day neo-Nazi rally in downtown Nashville in July 2024. According to court documents, Minadeo and his associates allegedly harassed residents, waved swastika flags, shouted racial slurs, and intimidated people in public spaces.
The Southern Poverty Law Center has filed a lawsuit against Minadeo, the Goyim Defense League, and five others on behalf of Deago Buck, a biracial man who claims to have been assaulted during the rally. The group is accused of assault, battery, malicious harassment, and violations of the Ku Klux Klan Act.
Minadeo has spent years promoting hate literature and hosting live online video streams filled with antisemitic and racist slurs. His group produces and distributes antisemitic flyers that are available for download on its website. Authorities in California have stated they lack legal grounds to prosecute Minadeo for his hate speech activities, which are largely protected under the First Amendment.
The lawsuit may be the strongest challenge yet to the online and in-person operations of the Goyim Defense League, with the goal of curbing their efforts to spread hate messages. "In holding them accountable for what they did in Nashville, we would love to be able to find a way to curtail their efforts in flyering and in providing an online platform," said Scott McCoy, the law center's lead attorney.
The case has already resulted in convictions of several Goyim Defense League members, with at least two shootings linked to antisemitic propaganda distributed by the group. The court case is set for a December 15 case-management conference.
Minadeo's return to the Bay Area has raised concerns among local authorities and residents, who fear his followers may be targeting them. It remains unclear whether Minadeo has permanently returned to Sonoma County or is visiting.
A notorious neo-Nazi leader has resurfaced in Petaluma, California, sparking a federal lawsuit over a violent hate rally in Tennessee. Jon Minadeo II, who grew up in Marin and Sonoma counties, was previously arrested for promoting antisemitic propaganda through his group, the Goyim Defense League.
Minadeo's return to the Bay Area comes amid allegations of violent behavior at a multi-day neo-Nazi rally in downtown Nashville in July 2024. According to court documents, Minadeo and his associates allegedly harassed residents, waved swastika flags, shouted racial slurs, and intimidated people in public spaces.
The Southern Poverty Law Center has filed a lawsuit against Minadeo, the Goyim Defense League, and five others on behalf of Deago Buck, a biracial man who claims to have been assaulted during the rally. The group is accused of assault, battery, malicious harassment, and violations of the Ku Klux Klan Act.
Minadeo has spent years promoting hate literature and hosting live online video streams filled with antisemitic and racist slurs. His group produces and distributes antisemitic flyers that are available for download on its website. Authorities in California have stated they lack legal grounds to prosecute Minadeo for his hate speech activities, which are largely protected under the First Amendment.
The lawsuit may be the strongest challenge yet to the online and in-person operations of the Goyim Defense League, with the goal of curbing their efforts to spread hate messages. "In holding them accountable for what they did in Nashville, we would love to be able to find a way to curtail their efforts in flyering and in providing an online platform," said Scott McCoy, the law center's lead attorney.
The case has already resulted in convictions of several Goyim Defense League members, with at least two shootings linked to antisemitic propaganda distributed by the group. The court case is set for a December 15 case-management conference.
Minadeo's return to the Bay Area has raised concerns among local authorities and residents, who fear his followers may be targeting them. It remains unclear whether Minadeo has permanently returned to Sonoma County or is visiting.
and I'm all about that layout anxiety 
. Have you seen the Southern Poverty Law Center's website? The way they've organized the info about the lawsuit is so clean and easy to read 
. I mean, who does that? Anyway, back to Minadeo... can't believe he's still spewing hate and getting away with it 
. His online presence is like a hot mess – all over the place and super hard to navigate 
. And don't even get me started on his website design 
. It's like, hello, use some whitespace and prioritize usability! 
I'm so sick of this neo-Nazi stuff! 
. Authorities should totally take action against him and his group, Goyim Defense League 
. It's not like they're protected by the First Amendment... 
, but we gotta stay vigilant and make sure they can't spread hate wherever they go 
!
. It's so frustrating as a parent to feel like I'm not doing enough to keep my kids safe 
.
and now the Bay Area's got a neo-Nazi leader roaming around again? that's straight-up concerning, you know? i mean, authorities say they lack grounds to prosecute him, which just means he gets a free pass to spread his hate crap. it's all so frustrating... what's next? are we gonna have some online forum where people can just share their racist thoughts and nobody does anything about it? 
. I think the lawsuit is a good start, but we need to do more to address the root causes of extremism and make sure our communities are safe for everyone 
. It's not about censorship or restricting free speech, it's about holding people accountable when their words cause harm 
.
like how can people still do this stuff in broad daylight? i mean we should have laws that protect us from hate groups, not just let them keep spewing their toxic ideology 
this whole thing is super concerning 
meanwhile, people in Tennessee are living with trauma from that rally 
.
it's like, we can't just let people be mean and hurtful and get away with it... 
️ what's the deal with these neo nazis? they just keep comin back like a bad cold 
they got no shame, spread hate & violence wherever they go. authorities need to step up & take action. can't just let them spread their toxic ideology online & offline 
and for those who got hurt by minadeo's group, im so sorry 
i hope justice is served on dec 15 
[www.splcenter.org](http://www.splcenter.org)