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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNY suburb founded by Nazi sympathizers sued for requiring homeowners have German ancestry
A New York suburb that was established by Nazi sympathizers in the years leading up to World War Two still uses discriminatory housing practices to ensure its residents remain white, according to a lawsuit filed this week.
A couple who lived in Yaphank, a hamlet of 6,000 about 65 miles (105 km) east of New York City, claims the organization that owns the land under their house enforces bylaws requiring homeowners to be primarily of German ancestry.
In a lawsuit filed on Monday in federal court in Central Islip, Philip Kneer and Patricia Flynn-Kneer said the German American Settlement League had violated federal housing law.Since its incorporation in 1937, the GASL has excluded non-whites from its membership, recreational programs, and summer homes in favor of new residents with German ancestry, the complaint said.
The league was founded as an affiliate of the German-American Bund, an organization of Nazi sympathizers. Siegfried Park, then known as Camp Siegfried, was built to promote German culture in 1935, according to the Yaphank historical society.The camp hosted huge pro-Nazi rallies in the 1930s, when families would travel from New York on the Camp Siegfried Special train, according to historical accounts.
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/10/ny-suburb-founded-by-nazi-sympathizers-sued-for-requiring-homeowners-have-german-ancestry/
frazzled
(18,402 posts)Who knew there were Nazi enclaves on Long Island. Who knew they've never changed their convenant regarding the sale of properties.
Do I think this court case will succeed? You betcha.
octoberlib
(14,971 posts)kelliekat44
(7,759 posts)Baitball Blogger
(46,700 posts)I wonder what the court remedy will be?
Behind the Aegis
(53,952 posts)More and more of the old Nazi regime, its rhetoric, and philosophies are making their way into modern life in many ways, by many types.
Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)To races like the Italians and Chinese who actually did manage to rule an empire for centuries when the Germans could not even hold it together for a few years.
Baitball Blogger
(46,700 posts)Donald Trump's support is a good example.
Behind the Aegis
(53,952 posts)Of course, those who share the Nazi's hate of Jews have found new ways to spew their anti-Semitism in more clever ways too. Goebbels is surely applauding from the lowest level of Hell.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)muriel_volestrangler
(101,308 posts)What should have happened is the restriction should have been lifted. And perhaps, given the way it showed its sympathies, the German American Settlement League should have had all its assets confiscated and been broken up.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)because all the purchasers and sellers were Nazi sympathizers.
Iggo
(47,550 posts)What are we? Nazis?
Reter
(2,188 posts)n/t
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)It sounds like they're operating as a private club, which would have insulated them until the mid-century civil rights laws came ino play. If this place was a development selling improved lots the covenant would be unenforceable. Can't wait for the outcome of this suit.
Babel_17
(5,400 posts)"Yaphank Nazi street names"
http://untappedcities.com/2015/04/02/this-former-nazi-town-on-long-island-with-adolf-hitler-street-still-exists/
Jim Lane
(11,175 posts)To say that the "suburb" requires German ancestry implies governmental action. That's not the case. There isn't even a government of Yaphank that you could sue; Yaphank is an unincorporated community within the Town of Brookhaven. The land in question is owned by a private organization.
As a general rule, landowners can sell to whomever they wish, but racially restrictive covenants are an exception, having been made illegal and unenforceable some decades ago. From the scanty report I have no idea how this one survived so long, and I see no basis on which it could survive now. The case does not mean, however, that a bunch of white bigots have been going to the polls and electing public officials who vote to exclude blacks (and others lacking German ancestry).