Assassination of George Lincoln Rockwell

On August 25, 1967, George Lincoln Rockwell, the founder of the American Nazi Party, was assassinated in Arlington, Virginia. The assassination was carried out by John Patler, a former member of the American Nazi Party, who fatally shot Rockwell outside a laundromat.

Background

George Lincoln Rockwell was a prominent figure in post-World War II American extremism. He established the American Nazi Party in 1959, promoting racial hatred ideologies and aligning himself with the principles of Adolf Hitler. Rockwell’s activities included organizing rallies, distributing Nazi propaganda, and attempting to gain a foothold in the American political landscape. He gained notoriety for his radical views, which he often publicly espoused, attracting both followers and significant opposition.

The Assassination

On the day of his assassination, Rockwell was at the Dominion Hills Shopping Center in Arlington, a suburb of Washington, D.C. As he returned to his vehicle after leaving the Econowash laundromat, he was shot twice by John Patler using a snub-nosed revolver. Patler was apprehended shortly after the shooting and charged with the murder of his former leader.

John Patler

Born John Patsalos, Patler was an ardent supporter of Rockwell and was deeply involved in the American Nazi Party. Before the assassination, he had fallen out with Rockwell, leading to his expulsion from the group due to disagreements over the direction of the party and accused disciplinary issues. Despite their falling out, the assassination shocked both followers and opponents of Rockwell.

Aftermath and Significance

The assassination of George Lincoln Rockwell marked a significant moment in the history of American radical movements. While it momentarily disrupted the activities of the American Nazi Party, the group eventually continued under new leadership but failed to achieve Rockwell’s prominence. Rockwell’s death highlighted the internal conflicts and volatility within extremist movements and underscored the dangers of radical ideology.

The incident also drew public attention to the existence of neo-Nazi and extremist groups within the United States during the civil rights era. It sparked discussions on hate speech, freedom of expression, and the boundaries of political extremism in America.