White Supremacists Have A New Slogan: ‘You Will Not Replace Us’

Image by Identity Evropa / Instagram

By Sam Kestenbaum June 14, 2017

White nationalists have a new slogan: “You Will Not Replace Us.”

It’s become a rallying cry at events and a catchphrase on fliers posted at universities, according to a blog post from the Anti-Defamation League.

“The slogan speaks to a number of issues that white supremacists are preoccupied with — the preservation of the white race and white cultural history, and their fear that whites will become a powerless minority in the face of changing demographics,” the ADL wrote.

Identity Evropa members made an appearance at the Confederate Memorial at Lake Eola in Orlando, Florida. pic.twitter.com/qLjq89K7UZ

— IDENTITY EVROPA (@IdentityEvropa) May 27, 2017

The new “You will not replace us” motto appears to have been popularized by members Identity Evropa, a group which describes themselves as “awakened Europeans,” white nationalists or “Identitarians.” The ADL describes Identity Evropea as “a white supremacist, alt right group.” Identity Evropa was founded by a man named Nathan Damigo.

The motto grew out of “alt-right” protests responding to the anti-Trump art project from Shia LeBeouf called “He will not divide us.” According to the ADL, Damigo said on camera during one protest: “Shia LeBeouf, you will not replace us with your globalism.” Others then joined in, shouting, “You will not replace us.”

“The term reflects the primary white supremacist worldview that unless immediate action is taken, the white race is doomed to extinction by an alleged ‘rising tide of color,’” the ADL wrote, “purportedly controlled and manipulated by Jews.”

Email Sam Kestenbaum at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @skestenbaum

Sam Kestenbaum is a contributing editor and former staff writer for the Forward. Before this, he worked for The New York Times and newsrooms in Sana, Ramallah and Beijing. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @skestenbaum and on Instagram at @skestenbaum.

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