Reeti Malhotra, Contributing Photographer

A group of nine self-identified neo-Nazis gathered Saturday evening to demonstrate against Never Ending Books, a non-profit free bookstore and community space on State Street. 

New Haven police officers responded to a report of a breach at the bookstore’s address at 8:42 p.m. on Saturday, according to a written statement provided to the News by NHPD Officer Christian Bruckhart. They arrived to find nine men wearing black masks chanting and arguing with individuals associated with the bookstore from across the street.

“The group of males told officers they were protesting the bookstore because it is communist. They left once officers arrived. There [were] no threats or damage to any property, and no arrests were made,” Bruckhart wrote.

The demonstration took place during a scheduled performance by FIM collective, a local musical improvisation act. The Never Ending Books hosts community events featuring LGBTQ+ artists and artists of color weekly, among those “The Communist Conversation” every Wednesday. 

A written statement provided to the News by the Never Ending Books stated that demonstrators used “slurs” and “obscene gestures” against regular patrons and community volunteers. A video published by the New Haven Independent showcases the ordeal. 

“We heard that there [were] a bunch of fascists coming to New Haven. They first went to Trumbull Street and dropped a banner, and then we heard they were going to be at Wooster Square. Information was flying all over the place, but we got organized as fast as possible. Thirty community members came out to defend us,” Moss Avvenire, the secretary for the New Haven Branch for the Revolutionary Communists of America, said. The RCA frequently collaborates with the Never Ending Books, and members of the RCA were present during the incident.

Avvenire added that an unidentified trusted source had received notice of the demonstration and warned the Never Ending Books.

“It appears to have been a very targeted, hateful demonstration,” Mayor Justin Elicker​ told the New Haven Independent. “Such a hateful group targeting an establishment that welcomes so many people in our community is unacceptable.”

Though Avvenire stated that the RCA does not anticipate further action from the group of demonstrators — which remain unidentified — he expressed that the organization anticipates such ordeals to only grow from here.

“We will have to organize and defend ourselves,” Avvenire said.

Student reactions at Yale echoed similar sentiments.

“It’s shocking and shameful,” Zach Pan ’27, a Jewish student and board member of the Yale Democrats, told the News about the presence of neo-Nazis in New Haven. “But, I find it telling that [they] hid their identities behind masks. They know that their hate has no home in New Haven.” 

Jack Dozier ’27 witnessed the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in his hometown of Charlottesville, during which thousands of neo-Nazis convened. He wrote to the News that he was “quite disheartened” to hear of the gathering on Saturday, especially as New Haven has “historically been a beacon of acceptance.” 

Elijah Wiesel ’28 told the News that the presence of neo-Nazis in New Haven is  “shocking” but “not even remotely surprising,” given the “resurgence in antisemitism in the United States.” 

He added, however, that it’s important to “call out antisemitism in all forms” not only “when it’s convenient to your politics,” explaining that antisemitism exists both on the left and on the right.

Rhea McTiernen Huge ’27, who grew up in New Haven, emphasized the importance of the Never Ending Books’ position within the community.

“Spaces like these are crucial, particularly in moments of political and societal stress,” Huge said. “The support they’ve gotten is really indicative of New Haven’s overall stance against hate and I’m grateful to be part of a community that stands up like this in trying moments like these.”

Never Ending Books is located at 810 State St.