American Front

American Front (AF) is an American white supremacist organization founded by Bob Heick in San Francisco in 1984. It initially developed as a loose, informal umbrella intended to connect American skinheads and other white nationalist activists. Its early activity included writing and distributing leaflets, principally presenting nationalist and anti-communist themes in opposition to what Heick viewed as left-wing influence in the local punk scene. The organization did not begin with a clearly defined membership system or formal institutional structure. During its early San Francisco period, American Front attracted police attention and public criticism because of reported vandalism, assaults, harassment of interracial couples, and confrontations connected with the local anti-racist and anarchist scenes. Heick's political outlook also moved from a general form of patriotism toward explicit Nazism, contributing to internal friction and alienating some of his initial supporters. After a period away from San Francisco, he returned in 1987 and found a younger generation of skinheads more receptive to the organization's politics. AF consequently broadened from a primarily skinhead-oriented grouping into a political organization whose supporters were not exclusively skinheads. The group gained national visibility in 1988. On May 1 of that year, it organized a White Workers Day march on Haight Street in San Francisco. The event drew approximately 65 participants and received publicity from Tom Metzger, leader of White Aryan Resistance (WAR). Metzger presented Heick in media appearances as a representative of white-power skinheads, and American Front subsequently received coverage in television and print outlets. The organization also published the Aryan Warrior tabloid and used a telephone hotline for political messaging and event announcements. By 1989, AF reportedly had units in 14 American states. Relations between Heick and Metzger deteriorated during preparations for a proposed white-power concert near Napa, California. The event, known as Aryan Woodstock, became associated with WAR rather than remaining an American Front project. Local authorities sought to prevent the gathering, and a court allowed it to proceed only without music. Roughly 300 people reached the property before authorities closed the entrance, while several hundred protesters gathered outside. The dispute deepened the separation between AF and WAR. In the 1990s, American Front concentrated on demonstrations, literature distribution, telephone activism, and opposition to hate-crime legislation. The organization held events in San Francisco and Portland and faced large counterprotests. Heick relocated to Portland, Oregon, where AF continued local activism and was associated with harassment of city commissioner Mike Lindberg. Sections in Washington and California published The Voice of Revolution, a magazine reported to have links with the English group Combat 18. Heick left the organization in 1995. A later incarnation under James Porrazzo moved to Harrison, Arkansas, and promoted Third Positionist ideas. American Front members also appeared at the 1992 Ruby Ridge standoff, where Heick and associates were among the first activists from outside the area to arrive. In the 2010s, the organization was connected to violent and paramilitary allegations. AF leader David Lynch was shot and killed at his Sacramento home in 2011, and his pregnant girlfriend was injured. In 2012, members of the Florida branch, including Marcus Faella, were arrested on charges involving paramilitary training, shooting into an occupied dwelling, and bias-related offenses. Faella was convicted in 2014 in a case described as involving an attempt to incite a race war and received a six-month jail sentence. The organization's present legal and operational status is unclear.

American Front was established by Bob Heick in San Francisco in 1984. Its first phase was informal: Heick produced and circulated political leaflets and attempted to create a broad network for American skinheads. The organization emerged amid conflict over the political direction of the local punk and skinhead subcultures. Although its early rhetoric emphasized nationalism and anti-communism, Heick later moved toward Nazism, producing opposition both from apolitical skinheads and from people who objected to his effort to dominate the local scene. The organization became more visible after Heick returned to San Francisco in 1987. AF adopted a more explicitly political identity, recruited beyond the skinhead subculture, and used a telephone hotline to distribute messages and announcements. Its May 1988 White Workers Day march on Haight Street marked a major public appearance. Tom Metzger of White Aryan Resistance promoted the event and helped bring Heick national media exposure. AF also issued the Aryan Warrior tabloid. By the following year, the group reportedly had sections in 14 states. A major organizational conflict developed around Aryan Woodstock, a proposed white-power concert on rural property near Napa. Heick had helped organize the event, but Metzger and WAR assumed a more prominent role. Napa County sought an injunction, and a judge permitted the gathering only on the condition that music not be performed. Approximately 300 people reached the site before authorities closed the entrance, while several hundred opponents demonstrated outside. The dispute widened the existing differences between Heick and Metzger. American Front continued its street activism into the 1990s. Heick announced a 1990 event in San Francisco's Union Square, where AF supporters encountered a much larger counterprotest and required police protection. After Heick moved to Portland in 1990, the organization held demonstrations there, including a 1991 May Day event. AF also became involved in the 1992 Ruby Ridge standoff, with Heick and associates traveling to the site. The Portland telephone hotline remained active until Heick departed in 1995. During this period, AF focused on distributing literature, organizing demonstrations, opposing hate-crime laws, and attacking local political opponents. Washington and California sections produced The Voice of Revolution, which was associated with Combat 18 in England. A later version led by James Porrazzo relocated to Harrison, Arkansas, and promoted Third Positionism. The extent to which this later organization represented a continuous national structure is unclear. The group reappeared in law-enforcement and news accounts in the 2010s. David Lynch, identified as an American Front leader, was killed in Sacramento in 2011. In 2012, members of the Florida branch were arrested in a case involving alleged paramilitary preparation and firearms-related conduct. Marcus Faella and other associates were prosecuted; Faella was convicted in 2014 and sentenced to six months in jail. Available reference material does not establish whether American Front remains active as a national organization.

• 2014

  Marcus Faella convicted

  [1]American Fronten.wikipedia.org

  Faella was convicted in connection with an alleged effort to incite a race war and sentenced to six months in jail.

• 2012

  Florida branch arrests

  [1]American Fronten.wikipedia.org

  Ten Florida branch members were arrested in a case involving paramilitary and firearms-related allegations.

• 2011

  Leader David Lynch killed

  [1]American Fronten.wikipedia.org

  David Lynch was shot and killed at his Sacramento home.

• 1995

  Bob Heick leaves the organization

  [1]American Fronten.wikipedia.org

  Heick departed American Front after its period of Portland-based activism.

• 1992

  Activists appear at Ruby Ridge

  [1]American Fronten.wikipedia.org

  Heick and AF associates traveled to the Ruby Ridge standoff and engaged in activity supporting the anti-government side.

• 1990

  San Francisco Union Square confrontation

  [1]American Fronten.wikipedia.org

  A planned AF appearance was met by a large counterprotest and substantial police intervention.

• 1989

  Units reported in 14 states

  [1]American Fronten.wikipedia.org

  Reference material reported that AF had developed units across 14 American states.

• 1988

  First White Workers Day march

  [1]American Fronten.wikipedia.org

  American Front held a public march on Haight Street in San Francisco with approximately 65 participants.

• 1985

  Leaflet and propaganda activity begins

  [1]American Fronten.wikipedia.org

  Heick began writing and distributing political leaflets, initially emphasizing nationalism and anti-communism.

• 1984

  American Front founded in San Francisco

  [1]American Fronten.wikipedia.org

  Bob Heick founded the organization as an informal network associated with American skinheads and white nationalist activism.

A white supremacist and white nationalist organization that historically positioned itself as an activist network for white-power supporters, combining propaganda, demonstrations, recruitment, and opposition to civil-rights and hate-crime measures.

• Political tabloid · 1988

  Aryan Warrior

  A publication associated with American Front that appeared after the organization's 1988 public expansion. It served as a vehicle for white-power political messaging and propaganda rather than a commercial consumer product.

• Political magazine

  The Voice of Revolution

  A magazine published by American Front sections in Washington and California during the 1990s. Reference material associates it with Combat 18 in England and places it within AF's broader literature-distribution activity.

• 2014

  Marcus Faella conviction

  Marcus Faella was convicted in connection with an alleged attempt to incite a race war and received a six-month jail sentence. The prosecution involved 13 American Front associates overall.

  Source

• 2012

  Florida branch paramilitary and firearms case

  Members of the Florida branch were arrested in a case involving allegations of paramilitary training, shooting into an occupied dwelling, and bias-related offenses.

  Source

• 2011

  Killing of leader David Lynch

  David Lynch, identified as an American Front leader, was shot and killed at his Sacramento home. His pregnant girlfriend was injured and survived.

  Source

Read more

• 1991Portland May Day demonstration

  Portland, Oregon, United States

  After Heick moved to Portland, AF held a May Day demonstration there while facing substantial opposition from counterprotesters.

  Outcome. The demonstration reportedly did not result in violence.

  Source
• 1990Union Square demonstration

  San Francisco, United States

  AF announced a May appearance in Union Square through its telephone hotline. Counterprotesters confronted the small group of AF supporters, and police formed a protective cordon.

  Outcome. The event was overshadowed by the much larger counterdemonstration and police response.

  Source
• 1988White Workers Day march

  San Francisco, United States

  American Front organized a May 1 march on Haight Street to promote its white nationalist politics. The event drew approximately 65 participants and generated national publicity through White Aryan Resistance and media coverage.

  Outcome. The march increased AF's visibility and helped it expand beyond San Francisco.

  Source
• 1988Aryan Woodstock

  Napa County, California, United States

  Heick worked on plans for a white-power concert on rural property near Napa. The project became associated with White Aryan Resistance after disagreements between Heick and Tom Metzger.

  Outcome. A court allowed the gathering only without music, and authorities later closed the entrance after attendees reached the property.

  Source

• 1995

  Leadership transition after Heick's departureStrategy

  Background

  Bob Heick left American Front after the Portland period.

  Action taken

  James Porrazzo later led a version of the organization and moved it to Harrison, Arkansas.

  Aftermath

  The later group promoted Third Positionism, but the continuity and national reach of the organization are unclear.

  Source

• 1988

  Alignment and subsequent conflict with White Aryan ResistanceStrategy

  Background

  Tom Metzger promoted Heick and American Front after the White Workers Day march.

  Action taken

  AF worked in proximity to WAR around publicity and the proposed Aryan Woodstock event.

  Aftermath

  Disagreements over the event and its promotion increased tensions and weakened the relationship between Heick and Metzger.

  Source

• 1987

  AF broadens from a skinhead network into a political organizationStrategy

  Background

  After returning to San Francisco, Bob Heick found younger local skinheads more receptive to Nazism than the earlier scene had been.

  Action taken

  American Front expanded its intended membership beyond skinheads and adopted a more explicitly political structure.

  Aftermath

  The change supported wider recruitment and contributed to the group's later interstate presence.

  Source

1. 1American Fronten.wikipedia.org