Philadelphia, PA, July 2, 2013 … The American Free Press, an anti-Semitic and conspiracy oriented newspaper published by longtime white supremacist Willis Carto, is the primary sponsor of an upcoming gathering of white supremacists, anti-Semites, anti-government extremists and conspiracy theorists during July 4th weekend, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
“Freedompalooza 2013,” organized by Paul Topete, an extremist lead singer of the band “Pokerface,” will take place from July 4 – 6 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The list of invited speakers features several well-known supporters of anti-Semites and racists, including two former members of Congress: Cynthia Mckinney, who has a history of promoting anti-Israel rhetoric, including accusing the pro-Israel lobby of sabotaging her political career, and James Traficant, who since his release from prison on federal racketeering and bribery convictions has joined the American Free Press, where he has expressed his own anti-Semitic and anti-Israel views.
“It is particularly disturbing that former members of Congress will be prominent speakers at such a hate-filled event in our backyard,” said Barry Morrison, ADL Philadelphia Regional Director. “It is troubling to think that people will converge on Bucks County to hear from some of the nation’s leading racists and anti-Semites.”
“Freedompalooza 2013” will also host other speakers including Jim Condit, Jr., who ran several times for Congress in Ohio, taking advantage of his candidate status to obtain a platform for expressing his anti-Semitic views in radio advertisements, and Merlin Miller, the 2012 presidential candidate of the white supremacist American Freedom Party. Larry Pratt, head of the Gun Owners of America, a radical gun rights group, will also be present.
Editors Note: ADL experts on “Freedompalooza,” anti-Semitism, racism and extremist groups are available for interviews upon request to adlmedia@adl.org.
Updated: January 01, 1970
Based on the publicity surrounding the anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial associated with the Freedompalooza event, several prominent speakers did not attend including Cynthia McKinney and Larry Pratt.