OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — State officials removed a banner linked to the white nationalist group Patriot Front after it was found hanging over Interstate 80 on 96th Street in Omaha.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, the oldest anti-hate organization in the world, Patriot Front promotes returning America’s identity to a “pan-European nation.”
Leaders recommend that anyone who sees hate messaging document it, alert law enforcement and notify organizations that track extremist activity.
Officials said an NDOT crew removed the banner Monday morning shortly after it was spotted on the 96th Street bridge.
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A banner promoting the white nationalist group Patriot Front was discovered hanging over I-80 on the 96th Street bridge in Omaha before the Nebraska Department of Transportation removed it Monday morning.
The banner included the phrase “America First” and directed viewers to a website associated with Patriot Front. The Southern Poverty Law Center identifies the group as a white nationalist hate organization.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, Patriot Front promotes returning America’s identity to a “pan-European nation.”
“And so when they talk about America first, when they talk about uniting the right, for instance, what they are referring to is white men,” Rebecca Weininger said.
Weininger, the ADL Midwest senior regional director, said on March 23 that she received three separate reports of similar signs in the region, including the one in Omaha.
“They have an active presence really anywhere, mostly because they communicate a lot online,” Weininger said.
Rachel Carroll Rivas, deputy director of research, reporting and analysis at the Southern Poverty Law Center, said data shows a small Nebraska-based presence of Patriot Front.
“It’s important to note that one person can really make a big splash with this kind of bannering and flyering, or that they really collaborate with people who may travel to the area,” Carroll Rivas said.
Pastor Michael Williams, president of NAACP Omaha, said the appearance of extremist messaging is not surprising, but emphasized the importance of awareness and support.
“To be honest, if you’re an American, you love America, it doesn’t matter the color of your skin, we’re all patriots,” Williams said.
Officials said they reached out to Patriot Front for comment but have not yet received a response.
Authorities confirmed that NDOT crews removed the sign Monday morning after it was reported.
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