Introduction
The Nationalist Social Club (NSC-131) is a white supremacist network based in the northeastern United States, which has also had a presence in Germany, Hungary, and Bulgaria.* In 2020, a German member identified only as Paolo claimed NSC was in the beginning stages and trying to build up its network.* NSC was founded in December 2019 in Massachusetts and comprises small independent cells. * NSC members believe they are in a state of war against non-Aryans, particularly Jews. * NSC’s alleged goal is to create an underground resistance network against its ideological enemies. * To this end, NSC members train in physical combat and firearms. * NSC views itself as a protector of white people. *
NSC chapters act independently of each other and share a loose network affiliation. The group has no central hierarchy. Each chapter acts under its own guidance and rules. * The NSC maintains this informal structure to avoid infiltration. Chapter autonomy also allows each chapter to address individual regional needs and develop its own tactics. * Known NSC tactics include antagonizing social-justice protesters, vandalism, and posting stickers and other propaganda. * NSC members have joined right-wing and pro-police rallies where they have displayed Nazi flags and symbols, as well as engaged in physical altercations.* In December 2020, NSC New England announced it was ending communication with all other NSC chapters to focus on the New England region. The announcement confirmed all other NSC chapters would continue autonomously.* In March 2021, NSC’s original New England chapter announced only it and other clubs within the New England area of the United States were legitimate.*NSC New England, Telegram channel, March 22, 2021.x
Leadership
NSC operates as a leaderless, decentralized organization. Chris Hood is the NSC’s alleged founder and leader. * An individual identified only as “Paulo” founded the German chapter of NSC.*
Base of Operations
NSC was founded in eastern Massachusetts in the United States and has chapters in at least 16 states in that country. NSC has also been active in Germany, Hungary, and Bulgaria.* In March 2021, however, NSC’s original New England chapter announced only it and other clubs within the New England area of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont were legitimate.*
Website
Not determined.
Membership Size and Relevance
NSC-131’s exact membership size is unknown but reportedly large. Some NSC members also belong or previously belonged to other U.S.-centered hate groups, as well as transnational groups such as The Base. *
Recruitment and Propaganda
Clad in black t-shirts emblazoned with “Nationalist Social Club,” NSC-131 members have been photographed at right-wing and pro-police rallies, though they promote their own anti-police ideology. Men wearing NSC shirts have also counter-protested liberal causes such as Black Lives Matter. * Members have pasted NSC stickers and other propaganda materials on public and private property.*
NSC’s logo replaces the “S” in its initials with an SS lightning bolt. NSC’s propaganda also includes the number 131 and at times refers to the group as NSC-131 or 131 Crew. The number correlates to the letters ACA for anti-communist action. *
NSC is active on multiple social media channels, such as Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram. CEP has identified at least three NSC Twitter accounts that have since been suspended. NSC’s Telegram channels provide a contact person who refers potential recruits to their closest NSC chapter. Each chapter has its own objectives upon which it judges potential members. * NSC specifically targets white males for recruitment. *
Violent Activities
NSC-131 members have stockpiled weapons and undergone physical training for future confrontations. * In September 2020, German police raided multiple homes, including that of an NSC member, and seized “weapons and Nazi paraphernalia.” *
Rhetoric
- Telegram, January 5, 2021: “NSC New England is in Washington DC to ensure white safety. We are not here to support Donald Trump. Contact us if you’d like to get involved!”*
- Telegram, August 31, 2020: “Our folk are in a state of war with a hostile (((system))), and now is the time to put our differences aside and face our common enemy as a unified front.” *
- Telegram, August 27, 2020: “There is no one size fits all solution to the problems that face our people. Every nation, every community, every street may require a multitude of different tactics to revert it into a favorable environment for our posterity. The clubs of NSC recognize this, and that’s why each club is granted the autonomy to address its regions issues whichever way is most efficient, all while retaining the tangible support from the other clubs worldwide.” *
- Telegram, August 24, 2020: “Start or join a club - the option is yours. Either way, 131 will support you if you are a white male of the nationalist worldview & dedicated to action. Always anonymous, always autonomous.” *
- Telegram, August 24, 2020: Each club is able to sculpt its image and set its objectives to the community/region it serves to be most effective, as its local affiliates know said community/region best. This allows us to organize our people against our collective enemies WORLDWIDE - there is nowhere in the white world an NSC can’t be established.” *
- NSC member in Germany identified as Paulo, Telegram, undated: “We are only at the beginning and are in the process of building up to find people and network.” *
Social Media
Instagram, Telegram, Twitter