Atomwaffen Division

[[File:Atomwaffen Division logo.svg|thumb|Right|165px|Atomwaffen Division logo]]
{{cquote|Join your local [[Nazism|Nazis]]!|||Atomwaffen Division's official slogan<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/brothers-whom-authorities-linked-to-pittsburgh-shooting-suspect-had-flyer-supporting-neo-nazi-group-officials-say/ Documenting Hate: New American Nazis: Brothers Whom Authorities Linked to Pittsburgh Shooting Suspect Had Flyer Supporting Neo-Nazi Group, Officials Say] by Catherine Trautwein & A.C. Thompson (November 16, 2018) ''PBS''.</ref>}}
{{cquote|Don't be stupid, be a smarty. Come and join the Nazi Party!|||Mel Brooks (mockingly) in {{wpl|The Producers (1967 film)|''The Producers''}}}}
{{Nazism}}
'''Atomwaffen Division''' (AWD) (German for "Atomic Weapon Division") is an American [[Neo-Nazism|neo-Nazi]] terrorist group founded in 2013 that makes even the most violent of other neo-Nazis look like [[hippie]]s in comparison. Since 2020, the group has rebranded as the '''National Socialist Order''' (NSO), but in 2021 a second group of Nazis announced that they were the real AWD — ''[[Schism|splitters!]]''<ref name=cep>[https://www.counterextremism.com/supremacy/atomwaffen-division-national-socialist-order Atomwaffen Division / National Socialist Order] ''Counter Extremism Project ''.</ref> The group's origins come from the equally fascist, neo-Nazi [[Iron March]] online forum and a re-discovery of writings by obscure neo-Nazi {{wpl|James Mason (neo-Nazi)|James Mason|.}} Atomwaffen Division sponsored the publishing of a new edition of ''Siege'', Mason's collected works.  ''Siege'' is focused on racial warfare, specifically in the form of [[Charles Manson|Charles Manson's]] {{wpl|Helter Skelter scenario|"Helter Skelter"|.}} As of 2019, Mason is living in government-subsidized housing and eating at soup kitchens.<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/influential-neo-nazi-eats-soup-kitchens-lives-government-housing-n1091681 Influential neo-Nazi eats at soup kitchens, lives in government housing: In his writings, James Mason advocates waging war against "the system." But at 67 and living in Denver, he's now dependent on it.] by Anna Schecter and Rich Schapiro (Nov. 26, 2019, 1:01 PM PST) ''NBC News''.</ref>

Atomwaffen openly encourages violence and [[ethnic cleansing]] against [[Jews]], [[African-American]]s, [[homosexuals]], [[Muslims]], and anyone not white. They also promote [[race war]] and outright [[terrorism]] against the [[United States]] [[government]]. Atomwaffen is also infamous for murders committed by its members, notably that of a California gay Jewish student named Blaze Bernstein.<ref name="propublica">[https://www.propublica.org/article/california-murder-suspect-atomwaffen-division-extremist-hate-group "California Murder Suspect Said to Have Trained With Extremist Hate Group"] - ProPublica. Written by Jake Hanrahan, Ali Winston, and A.C. Thompson (January 26, 2018).</ref> The group's membership is estimated to be around 80 members as of 2018 according to one former member and has chapters in at least 23 states.<ref name="propublica 2">[https://www.propublica.org/article/atomwaffen-division-inside-white-hate-group Inside Atomwaffen As It Celebrates a Member for Allegedly Killing a Gay Jewish College Student] by A.C. Thompson et al. (Feb. 23, 2018, 5 a.m. EST) ''ProPublica''.</ref>{{efn|[[Alabama]], [[Arkansas]], [[Arizona]], [[California]], [[Colorado]]. [[Florida]], [[Indiana]], [[Kansas]], [[Kentucky]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Maine]], [[Michigan]], [[Minnesota]], [[Missouri]], [[New Jersey]], [[North Carolina]], [[Ohio]], [[Oklahoma]], [[South Carolina]], [[Texas]], and [[Virginia]].}} AWD had affiliates in [[Canada]] by 2018<ref>[https://www.vice.com/en/article/violent-neo-nazi-group-has-disturbing-plans-for-canada/ An American Neo-Nazi Group Has Dark Plans for Canada: Northern Order, once described as a “phantom group,” is an Atomwaffen-affiliated neo-Nazi cell.] by Mack Lamoureux & Ben Makuch (July 10, 2018, 10:29am) ''Vice''.</ref> and in [[Germany]] by 2022.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/06/german-police-raid-neo-nazi-cells-across-country German police raid neo-Nazi cells across country: Four arrested after more than 1,000 officers swoop on homes of 50 suspects] (Wed 6 Apr 2022 12.49 EDT) ''AFP'' via ''The Guardian''.</ref> The group also organizes trips to remote locations (again) unironically named "hatecamps". The logo of the group is (you guessed it) the nuclear symbol.

Just in case you thought this group couldn't get ''any'' edgier, they've also been rumored to be a [[Satanic]] death [[cult]] inspired by the [[occult]] neo-Nazi group [[Satanism#Order of Nine Angles|Order of Nine Angles]] or O9A (a group that advocates transgressing literally all social norms — and so, encourages ritual sacrifice, child rape, and infiltration of as many institutions and groups as possible to sow chaos, to list a few<ref>Daniel De Simone (June 23, 2020). [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-53141759 "Order of Nine Angles: What is this obscure Nazi Satanist group?"]. ''BBC News''.</ref><ref>[https://www.isdglobal.org/explainers/the-order-of-nine-angles-explainer/ "The Order of Nine Angles"]. ''Institute for Strategic Dialogue''.</ref>), under the influence of their current leader, who goes by the charming screenname "Rape".<ref name="splc">[https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/atomwaffen-division "Atomwaffen Division"] - [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] Hatewatch profile</ref>

==From their website==
Here's the official mission statement of Atomwaffen:<ref>[https://archive.ph/crsfC Archived version of the Atomwaffen homepage]</ref>
{{quotebox|[[Earth|The rest of the world]] is collapsing beneath us as we speak. The system is beginning to suffer the consequences of its corruption. The failure of [[Democracy|democracy]] and [[Capitalism|capitalism]] has given way to [[International Jewish Conspiracy|the Jewish oligarchies and the globalist bankers]] [[White extinction scenario|resulting in the racial and cultural displacement of the white race]]. We have absolutely no room for moderates and cowards. We wish to appeal to the radical in this struggle, as it is the radical that etches their place into history. There is nothing that can be fixed in a system so inherently flawed, [[Nazism|National Socialism]] is the only solution to reclaim dominion over what belong to us. [[Western civilization|The west]] cannot be saved, but it can be rebuilt and even stronger without the burdens of the past.}}

The group's description of itself:<ref>[https://archive.ph/1lQ3M "Who we are"] - Atomwaffen Division. Archived.</ref>
{{quotebox|Formed in 2013 'The Atomwaffen Division' is a Revolutionary National Socialist Organization centered around political activism and the practice of an autonomous Fascist lifestyle. As an ideological band of comrades, we perform both activism and militant training (hand to hand, arms training, and etc.). We spread awareness in the real world through unconventional means (and it has worked). We often go hunting, adventuring, and a group favorite is urban exploring. We have various specialists in the group ranging from various occupations. [keyboard warriorism is nothing to do with what we are or what we do] Joining us means serious dedication not only to the Atomwaffen Division and its members, but to the goal of ultimate uncomprising victory. With this means only those willing to get out on the streets, in the woods, or where ever we maybe in this world and work together in the physical realm. As it must be emphasized; no keyboard warriorism (we do however have some among us who have adept programming or hacking skills) If you don't want to meet up and get things done; don't bother.}}

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Here's also some (warning: really nasty) propaganda from the group:
<center><gallery> 
File:embrace-the-futurism.png 1,100x1,342 pixels|Futurism everybody!

File:white-revolution.jpg 1,304x1,714 pixels|2 words: Racist terrorists

File:prdrpk.png 1,304x1,714 pixels|Must be supporters of [[North Korea]] then

File:nomuslims1.png 1,354x2,000 pixels|[[Islamophobia]]

File:1504103112882.jpg 1,169x1,376 pixels|Guess they're [[Antifa]] symphatizers

File:racemixiniggers.png 1,000x1,514 pixels|Atomwaffen sure hates blacks and race-mixing

File:AW_NewOrder.jpg 1,275x1,650 pixels|

File:HAILAIDS.png 1,400x2,100 pixels|[[Homophobia]]

File:C18bV02WEAEQeHI.jpg-large.jpg 1,275x1,650 pixles|Complete with [[Alt-right glossary#Moon Man|Moon Man]]

File:1.jpg 1,304x1,714 pixels|[[Transphobia]] and Homophobia. A deadly combination

File:blindtheye.png 1,100x1,342 pixels|Kill all Jews

File:plgs2.png 2,000x2,700 pixels|[[Unite the Right|Charlottesville]] violence complete with [[Alt-right glossary#Helicopter rides|Helicopter rides]]

File:day-of-the-rope-1.jpg 1,304x1,714 pixels|''[[Turner Diaries]]'' style
</gallery></Center>

...this doesn't work ... -->

==Terrorism==
[[File:Brandon Clint Russell.jpg|thumb|right|200px|2017 mugshot of Brandon Clint Russell, the group's shithead founder.]]
{{cquote|Now that abortion is banned we gotta be knocking up hoes left and right to raise that white birth rate! They can’t do anything about it if you get them pregnant.<ref name="marine">{{cws|https://coloradotimesrecorder.com/2022/07/the-shomer-neo-nazi-arrest-reveals-rape-plot-to-force-white-pregnancies/47692/|Neo-Nazi Arrest Reveals Rape Plot to Force White Pregnancies|Colorado Times Recorder}}</ref>}}
As mentioned above, Atomwaffen has been linked to several terrorist incidents. Brandon Rusell, the group's founder, was convicted of attempting to bomb a building with hexamethylene triperoxide diamine; Rusell was also a former University of South Florida student and a member of the Florida National Guard who idolized [[Timothy McVeigh]] (the infamous Oklahoma City bomber).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rawstory.com/2017/05/fbi-busts-atomwaffen-neo-nazi-in-florida-for-making-explosives-and-finds-radioactive-materials|title=FBI busts ‘Atomwaffen’ Neo-Nazi in Florida for making explosives -- and finds radiation materials|last=Al-Sibai|first=Noor|date=May 22, 2017|publisher=Raw Story}}</ref> Another member named Devon Arthurs killed two of his roommates and a fellow Atomwaffen member for ridiculing his conversion to [[Salafism|Salafist Islam]] (he described himself as a "Salafist National Socialist" who was photographed at a San Antonio vigil for the victims of the [[2016 Orlando nightclub shooting|Orlando shooting]] with a skull mask (probably the AWD’s telltale fanged skull mask) and a sign that said "[[Westboro Baptist Church|God Hates Fags]]").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/news_columnists/brian_chasnoff/article/Racist-at-vigil-sends-online-message-8310166.php|title=Racist at vigil sends online message
|last=Chasnoff|first=Brian|date=June 17, 2016|publisher=Express News}}</ref> But the most infamous killing by the group was the murder of gay Jewish college student named Blaze Bernstein by Samuel Woodard in Orange County, California. Woodard was an avowed member of the group who attended Atomwaffen Division events and training camps.<ref name="propublica"/> Needless to say, as soon as the murder occurred, Atomwaffen members praised him, with one member stating "I love this", another member called him a "one man gay Jew wrecking crew". They also praise the deeds of other terrorists such as [[Anders Behring Breivik]], Dylann Roof, and Timothy McVeigh.<ref name="propublica 2"/>

The mindset behind these acts of terrorism is a kind of accelerationism, an idea sometimes associated with [[Marxism]] that seeks to hasten the end of capitalism by destabilizing the economy with rapid growth. Atomwaffen applies this principle instead to their goal of inciting an apocalyptic [[race war]] so they can overthrow the US government, exterminate the mudbloods, and make a purified white ethnostate on American soil.<ref name="splc"/>

[[File:Atomwaffen improvised explosive device.jpg|thumb|right|165px|A homemade bomb made by Brandon Russell, photographed by the [[FBI]].]]

AWD is officially designated a terrorist organization by the Canadian<ref>[https://archive.ph/KvGjT List of entities currently designated as terrorist organizations by the Canadian government]. Archived version.</ref> and UK governments.<ref>{{cite web | title=White supremacist group, Atomwaffen Division, banned in the UK | website=GOV.UK | date=2021-04-23 | url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/white-supremacist-group-atomwaffen-division-banned-in-the-uk | ref={{sfnref|GOV.UK|2021}} | access-date=2026-01-31}}</ref>

Some Atomwaffen Division members have celebrated the reversal of ''[[Roe v Wade]]'' by [[SCOTUS]], believing that this will enable their plot to commit mass [[rape]]s of white women to "increase white birth rates." If a woman is unable to get an [[abortion]], she will be forced to carry to term. The section of Atomwaffen that advocates for this has been dubbed "Rapewaffen," an apparent O9A subgroup,<ref name="O9Aarmytimes">Jon Simkins (March 3, 2023). [https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2023/03/03/ex-soldier-a-neo-nazi-gets-45-years-for-plot-to-ambush-his-own-unit/ "Ex-soldier, a neo-Nazi, gets 45 years for plot to ambush his own unit"]. ''ArmyTimes''.</ref> and at least two of the Atomwaffen fucks arrested{{efn|Details listed below.}} have been associated with this group.<ref name="marine"/><ref name="O9Aarmytimes"/>

===Arrests and convictions===
In August 2019, an affiliate of AWD, Conor Climo, was plotting to firebomb one or more Jewish sites in the city, and other sites such as a gay bar and a homeless encampment.<ref>[https://www.propublica.org/article/las-vegas-man-conor-climo-was-said-to-be-affiliated-with-atomwaffen-division "Las Vegas Man Arrested in Plots Against Jews Was Said to Be Affiliated With Atomwaffen Division"] by Joe Sexton, Propublica, 2019 August 14</ref>

In 2020, five members were arrested and charged with making racist and antisemitic threats against journalists, and for conspiring to engage in [[swatting]]: John Cameron Denton (the leader of AWD who replaced Russell<ref name="wapops">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/02/06/maryland-power-grid-neonazi-brandon-russell/ "Neo-Nazi leader and girlfriend accused of targeting Md. power stations"] by Rachel Weiner and Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 2023 February 6</ref>), Taylor Ashley Parker-Dipeppe, Johnny Roman Garza, Kaleb Cole, and Cameron Brandon Shea.<ref name=cep/> All five were sentenced to prison time.<ref name=cep/> The arrests caused AWD to disband and regroup.<ref name=cep/>

Similar to other neo-Nazi extremists, leaders of Atomwaffen Division have encouraged chatting about plans to attack and destroy United States infrastructure, such as the electrical power grid and public water systems.<ref>[https://www.propublica.org/article/atomwaffen-division-inside-white-hate-group "Inside Atomwaffen As It Celebrates a Member for Allegedly Killing a Gay Jewish College Student"] by A.C. Thompson, ProPublica, Ali Winston, special to ProPublica, and Jake Hanrahan, special to ProPublica, 2018 February 23</ref> In August 2021, four men (including two Marines) who identified with AWD (at least symbolically) were charged with conspiracy to damage the property of an energy facility. Two of the men had initially met on the Iron March forum.<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/group-ties-racially-motivated-violent-extremists-including-two-former-marines-facing "Group With Ties to Racially Motivated Violent Extremists Including two Former Marines Facing Additional Charge of Targeting Energy Facilities"], press release, U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of North Carolina, 2021 August 20</ref><ref>[https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article247328274.html "Ex-Marines based in NC made Nazi training montage video in Idaho desert, feds say"] by Hayley Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2020 November 20</ref> On July 25 2024, three of those charged were sentenced — Paul James Kryscuk for 6 and 1/2 years, Liam Collins for 10 years, and Justin Wade Hermanson for 1 year and 9 months.<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/defendants-ties-white-supremacy-sentenced-connection-plot-destroy-energy-facilities "Defendants with Ties to White Supremacy Sentenced in Connection with Plot to Destroy Energy Facilities"], press release, Office of Public Affairs, 2024 July 25</ref>

Having learned nothing from his previous arrest, Russell was arrested again (along with Sarah Clendaniel, whom he met while incarcerated) in February 2023, this time (similar to the above) for allegedly conspiring to destroy an energy facility. According to prosecutors, the two planned an attack that sought to destroy five electrical substations within the {{wpl|Baltimore}} area.<ref name="wapops"/> Both Clendaniel and Russell have since been convicted.<ref>{{cite web | last=Skene | first=Lea | title=Woman sentenced to 18 years for plotting with neo-Nazi leader to attack Baltimore's power grid | website=The Independent | date=2024-09-25 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ap-brandon-russell-baltimore-maryland-atomwaffen-division-b2618974.html | access-date=2025-06-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Neo-Nazi group leader convicted of plotting Maryland power grid attack | website=CNN | date=2025-02-04 | url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/04/us/neo-nazi-maryland-grid-attack/index.html | access-date=2025-06-12}}</ref>

A splinter group of Atomwaffen Division was set up in Germany in 2018; this group was aligned with other neo-Nazi terror groups established in Germany, such as [[Combat 18]] and Knockout 51. A nationwide police operation in April 2022 focused on the three hate groups resulted in four arrests.<ref>[https://www.dw.com/en/germany-conducts-nationwide-raids-on-neo-nazi-groups/a-61374533 "Germany carries out nationwide raids on neo-Nazi groups"] by Alex Berry, DW, 2022 April 6</ref>

One Rapewaffen member, a [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. Marine]], was arrested for lying to a "federal firearms licensee" in order to make "straw purchases" of a pistol and [[assault rifle]]. The ex-Marine had plotted to commit mass rape, murder, and an attack on a synagogue.<ref name="marine"/>

A second Rapewaffen associate, a former member of the US military, was sentenced in March 2023 after plotting an ambush against his own unit.<ref name="O9Aarmytimes"/><ref>(March 3, 2023). [https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-us-army-soldier-sentenced-45-years-prison-attempting-murder-fellow-service-members "Former U.S. Army Soldier Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Attempting for Murder Fellow Service Members in Deadly Ambush"]. ''Office of Public Affairs''. US Department of Justice.</ref>

In November 2024, Samuel Woodward, the aforementioned murderer of Blaze Bernstein, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.<ref>{{cite web | last=Drenon | first=Brandon | title=Samuel Woodward sentenced to life for killing gay US student | website=BBC | date=2024-11-16 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0gypdrr75o | access-date=2025-06-12}}</ref>

In April 2025, the Canadian Patrick Macdonald, better known as the chief Atomwaffen propagandist "Dark Foreigner," was found guilty of charges of "participating in the activity of a terrorist group, facilitating terrorist activity, and the commission of offence for a terrorist group."<ref>{{cite web | title=Atomwaffen Division Propagandist Patrick Macdonald Found Guilty on All Charges | website=Canadian Anti-Hate Network | date=2018-08-01 | url=https://www.antihate.ca/atomwaffen_division_propagandist_patrick_macdonald_found_guilty_on_all_charges | ref={{sfnref|Canadian Anti-Hate Network|2018}} | access-date=2025-06-12}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[8chan#/baphomet/|8chan § /baphomet/]], another junction that appears to have been a neo-Nazi/nihilist/Satanist crossover episode
*[[Antipodean Resistance]], their buddies over in Australia
*{{wpl|National Action (UK)|National Action|,}} [[Sonnenkrieg Division]] and [[Combat 18]], their British versions

==External links==
*[https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/atomwaffen-division Atomwaffen Division] — [[Southern Poverty Law Center]]
*[https://www.bellingcat.com/resources/how-tos/2019/11/06/massive-white-supremacist-message-board-leak-how-to-access-and-interpret-the-data/ The entire SQL database of Atomwaffen at Iron March]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

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[[Category:Terrorist organisations]]
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[[Category:Great Replacement conspiracy theorists]]
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Categories: Alt-right, Anti-Christian bigotry, Anti-LGBT bigots, Antisemitism, Fascism, Hate groups, Homophobia, Internet kooks, Islamophobia, Militia movement, Neo-Nazism, Propaganda, Racism, Rape culture, Satanism, Transphobia, Terrorism, Terrorist organisations, White supremacy, Great Replacement conspiracy theorists, Right-wing activists