Key Points
- The Goyim Defense League is a loose network of individuals connected by their virulent antisemitism. The group includes five or six primary organizers/public figures, dozens of supporters and thousands of online followers.
- GDL operates GoyimTV, a video platform that streams antisemitic content.
- GDL espouses vitriolic antisemitism and white supremacist themes via the internet, through propaganda distributions and in street actions.
- GDL engages in antisemitic stunts and schemes to troll or otherwise harass Jews.
- GDL’s most zealous and visible actors are in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, New York, South Carolina and Texas.
Origins and Ideology
Goyim Defense League (GDL) is a small network of virulently antisemitic provocateurs led by Jon Minadeo II who moved from Petaluma, California to Florida in December 2022. GDL parodies the Anti-Defamation League’s name and logo by replacing “Anti-Defamation” with “Goyim Defense” -- “Goyim” being a disparaging Yiddish and Hebrew word for non-Jews.
GDL’s overarching goal is to expel Jews from America. To that end, their propaganda casts aspersions on Jews and spreads antisemitic myths and conspiracy theories in hopes of turning Americans against Jewish people. This includes frequent references to Jews having undue power through their “control” of major institutions such as media networks, the economy or the government, or disparaging Jews as degenerates who molest children and advocate for pornography, abortion and LGBTQ+ communities. GDL maintains that the Holocaust is a Jewish lie, and accounts of the Holocaust are merely propaganda or lies generated by Jews for their own benefit. Similarly, the GDL says that Jews were responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attack on New York and Israel intentionally targeted a U.S. warship during the height of the 1967 Six-Day War.
Minadeo, who has been active for several years, first posted his antisemitic stunts on platforms such as YouTube, DLive and BitChute. After being de-platformed in May 2020, he and Dominic Di Giorgio, also known as Ned Flanders, of Port St Lucie, Florida, launched GoyimTV, a video streaming platform focused mainly on antisemitic content. Minadeo regularly uses the platform to post his podcasts and videos of his antisemitic exploits and homophobic rants. Over the course of 2020 and 2021, other GDL devotees began to do the same.
Minadeo and Di Giorgio in Florida – Telegram May 2021
GDL attracts a range of antisemites and white supremacists who are motivated and united by their hatred of Jews. They work alone, in small local cliques and occasionally travel across the country to participate in extended antisemitic events they refer to as “Name the Nose” tours.
Minadeo and other GDL activists often play to their various audiences, shouting “white power” when among white supremacists, criticizing Israel when speaking to Muslims or attempting to ingratiate themselves with Black people by repeating the antisemitic canard that Jews were responsible for the transatlantic slave trade.
In that vein, in late 2022, GDL sought to capitalize on the attention Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) garnered from his antisemitic antics. In October, the GDL along with the White Lives Matter network and NatSoc Florida dropped antisemitic banners supporting West in California, New York and Florida. They also used a laser projector to cast antisemitic messages onto buildings at TIAA Bank Field at the end of the Georgia/Florida football game in Jacksonville, with one reading, “Kanye is right about the Jews.”
In October 2022, Minadeo live streamed an interview with Ayo Kimathi (aka Irritated Genie), an antisemitic black nationalist and anti-LGBTQ+ bigot who published Jews are the Problem, a book that covers a myriad of perceived societal problems that he blames on the Jewish community including Covid-19, media censorship, food shortages, abortion, race-mixing, globalism, inflation, gas prices, pornography, feminism, lesbianism and homosexuality. During the stream, the two discussed how Jews pose a problem for both whites and blacks and called for a “temporary racial unification to cleanse the earth [of Jews].”
White supremacy prevails
Despite allowing non-Jewish minorities to participate in their activities, white supremacist ideology is increasingly pervasive within GDL. In 2022, Minadeo crossed over into blatant white supremacism. During a July 2022 meet-up with the neo-Nazi Nationalist Social Club in New Hampshire, Minadeo acquired two neo-Nazi tattoos, including a Totenkopf on his arm and SS Boltson his torso courtesy of white supremacist tattoo artist Christopher A. Pohlhaus who relocated from Texas to Maine in 2022.
Minadeo poses with members and associates of the Nationalist Social Club – Telegram July 2022
White supremacists dominate GDL’s online chats, regularly appear on Minadeo’s podcasts and increasingly participate in GDL’s real-world street actions. As a result, GDL’s network of supporters has increased, and their collaborative tours have grown – increasing from four participants during the first GDL tour (California, September 2019) to approximately two dozen participants during their fifth tour (Texas, October 2021).
Beginning in late 2020, Minadeo expanded GDL’s network by hosting white supremacists on his podcasts, giving them a platform to share their views. Minadeo began working with Cape Canaveral, Florida-based neo-Nazi Jason J. Brown, who is also a member of the New Jersey European Heritage Association (NJEHA), a small white supremacist group.
In November 2020, Brown, Di Giorgio and several other Florida-based GDL and NJEHA associates hung a banner from a Florida overpass that read, “Holocaust denial illegal in 16+ countries WHY??? GoyimTV,” then met on a beach where they poured lighter fluid in the shape of a swastika and lit it on fire. They also burned an Israeli flag. When Minadeo played the footage during a subsequent podcast he laughed and shouted, “He did a swasi!!! Oh! Sick! Oh! Nice! Light that kike flag!” and “Beach Nazi! White Power!”
In early December 2020, Brown introduced Minadeo to Travis Golie, an Illinois-based white supremacist, and Minadeo posted a lengthy interview with Golie. During the interview, Golie discussed his hateful ideology at length and claimed responsibility for the November 2020 distribution of thousands white supremacist fliers across 70 miles in central and northern Illinois. Minadeo responded, “You did some good work brother…70 miles of waking up the sleepy whiteys.”
Later in December, Minadeo interviewed Paul Miller, a Florida-based neo-Nazi accelerationist who gained notoriety in extremist circles for his racist and misogynist abuse via online chat app Omegle. Before his arrest in March 2021, Miller, also known as Gypsy Crusader, used the app to harass women and minorities while dressed as supervillain comic book characters, then posted these interactions online to entertain his followers.
Minadeo discussed during subsequent podcasts how “insanely popular” the tactic of Omegle “redpilling” had become, and posited that GDL could use the practice to attract people to GoyimTV. By the end of January 2021, Minadeo and at least three other GDL provocateurs had joined the league of more than 30 extremists who engage in Omegle trolling, many of whom livestream the antics and upload highlights to Telegram, a social media platform known for its lack of moderation.
Throughout 2021 and 2022, Minadeo used Telegram to build and expand the GDL network by promoting and interviewing other antisemites and white supremacists. For example, in January 2021, Minadeo began promoting white supremacist Robert Wilson of Chula Vista, California, by reposting Telegram videos of Wilson’s online trolling efforts under the pseudonym “Aryan Bacon.” By May 2021, Wilson was part of the GDL network and traveled to Florida to participate in the GDL tour along with approximately 20 other white supremacists and antisemites from states such as Florida, California, New Jersey, Colorado and New York. Wilson also participated in GDL’s October 2021, tour in Texas. And, in late 2021, Wilson posted a series of antisemitic banner drops from overpasses in Irvine, California.
Jovanni Valle, another Telegram troll and associate of Jason Brown’s, traveled from New York to participate in the Florida tour. In late 2022, Valle protested several LGBTQ+ events alongside other New York-based GDL associates. Over the years, Valle, also known as Jovi Val, has attended white supremacist events such as the 2018 “Unite the Right 2” rally in Washington D.C. and “Fash Bash 2019,” a NJEHA event celebrating Hitler’s 130th Birthday.
In preparation for GDL’s October Texas tour, Minadeo interviewed several Texas-based white supremacists who are well-known in white supremacist Telegram circles, including neo-Nazi Christopher A. Pohlhaus, aka Hammer, who uses Telegram to promote his white supremacist followers, or “Blood Tribe,” and to sell white supremacist merchandise, and Sean Sweat, aka Texas Vet, who is part of the “While Lives Matter” movement in Texas. Both men participated in GDL’s Texas tour and are now part of Minadeo’s network of supporters.
Front: Minadeo, second row from left to right: Pohlhaus, Wilson, and Brown during GDL tour Texas – October 2021
Tactics and Activity
In addition to peddling antisemitic myths and conspiracy theories, the GDL engages in a range of antisemitic stunts to troll or otherwise harass Jews, and to draw attention to themselves. For example, in May 2021 Robert Wilson and Mineado drove through areas of Beverly Hills in a large moving truck covered in antisemitic and white supremacist banners.
GDL funds these activities through online solicitations and by selling merchandise in their online store. The site includes pro-GDL and GoyimTV hats and clothing, as well as t-shirts and stickers bearing antisemitic, anti-Israel, anti-left and homophobic messaging. In 2022, they added “swastika soap” and Hitler busts to their available merch.
Propaganda distributions:
The GDL's primary activity is the distribution of antisemitic propaganda including occasional banner drops typically from overpasses on major thoroughfares. In 2023, ADL Center on Extremism recorded over 500 GDL propaganda incidents in 39 different states with the majority of incidents (from most to least active) in California, Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, Maryland and Colorado.
Since at least September 2023, individuals associated with GDL have mailed antisemitic post cards and other propaganda to the homes and offices of public officials and Jewish leaders around the country. This method of propaganda distribution continues to gain traction in 2024.
Sampling of fliers distributed by GDL in 2022
City Council Death Squad (CCDS):
In 2023, individuals associated with the GDL began targeting public forums such as city councils, county boards and state house committee meetings with antisemitic speech and trolling efforts. Using the public comment portion of these forums, especially those with the option to call in virtually, they push antisemitic, white supremacist and anti-LGBTQ+ narratives. In September, these efforts became more organized, when Modesto, California-based GDL'er, Harley Petero, created a GDL sub-group called the City Council Death Squad (CCDS).
The scope and persistence of the CCDS harassment has prompted some city councils to discontinue remote or virtual public comments. In December 2023, Petero responded by creating a GiveSendGo fundraiser so that CCDS members can attend the 2024 meetings in person, claiming, "They can shut us down on zoom [sic], but they can't stop us in person."
As of May 2024, CCDS has made in-person appearances at public forums in California, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Nebraska and Nevada.
March of the Redshirts: Over the summer of 2023, GDL and the neo-Nazi Blood Tribe promoted and solicited donations for a “march of the redshirts” event in Florida. On September 2, approximately 50 individuals associated with the GDL, Blood Tribe, White Lives Matter, Dixieland Nationalists and Vinland Rebels marched around Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte, Florida before demonstrating on the Central Parkway I-4 overpass. The participants wore matching uniforms (red shirts, black masks and black pants), waved swastika flags, performed Hitler salutes and shouted, “white power” and “Jews will not replace us.” Known participants include individuals from California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Missouri and Texas. On September 5, the two groups began promoting their next collaboration, describing it as “last rally of 2023” and calling it the “Blood on the Snow” upper Midwest rally.
Name the Nose tours: On several occasions, GDL has led “Name the Nose” tours, which involve several days of antisemitic stunts. The most recent “tour,” was a June 2023 tour in Georgia that involved approximately 14 individuals including Minadeo. The group demonstrated outside Jewish institutions in Macon and Marietta, and distributed antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda in Warner Robins, Macon, Marietta and Sandy Springs. Previous tours include an October 2021 tour in Texas, a May 2021 tour in central and south Florida, an August 2020 tour in California, and a 2019 tour in Denver, Colorado.
Van used by GDL during the Florida “tour” – May 2021
Posing as Jews: GDL stunts often include wearing costumes or posing as Jews. This tactic dates back to 2019, when Minadeo first recorded himself driving around California in his car dressed mockingly as an Orthodox Jew. Referring to himself as “The Honest Rabbi,” Minadeo issued “confessions” and apologies on behalf of the Jewish people, claiming, for example, that he was “sorry” that Jews lied about the Holocaust and were responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Minadeo with other GDL participants who posed as Jews while distributing propaganda in Canyon, Texas in 2021.
Adoption of pseudo-legal “sovereign citizen” tactics: In 2023, several individuals associated with the GDL adopted pseudo-legal “sovereign citizen” tactics in a misguided attempt to escape legal troubles. The sovereign citizen movement is a far-right, anti-government extremist faction whose adherents claim that the government is illegitimate and has no jurisdiction or authority over them. Sovereigns claim that people can “divorce” themselves from this illegitimate government. The movement is known for its “paper terrorism” harassment and intimidation tactics, scams and frauds -- as well as acts of deadly violence.
Criminal Activity:
Macon, Georgia, June 2023: Jon Minadeo was arrested by Bibb County Sheriff’s deputies for disorderly conduct and a noise ordinance violation during an antisemitic demonstration outside Temple Beth Israel.
West Palm Beach, Florida, March 18, 2023: Jon Minadeo, Nicholas Bysheim, and David Kim were cited for littering after allegedly distributing antisemitic propaganda.
West Palm Beach, Florida, March 11, 2023: Jon Minadeo, Nicholas Bysheim, David Kim, Jeffrey Kidder and Brian Hulliger were cited for littering after allegedly distributing antisemitic propaganda.
Palm Beach County, Florida, January 28, 2023: Jon Minadeo, Nicholas Bysheim, David Kim and Jonathan Baldwin were cited for littering after allegedly distributing antisemitic propaganda.
Brownstone Township, Michigan, January 27, 2023: Gibralter resident Dylan Clinton, who was allegedly distributing GDL propaganda was arrested for carrying a military-style knife without a permit.
Atlantis, Florida, January 21: Nicholas Bysheim was arrested for obstructing an officer without violence for allegedly refusing to provide identification when police were trying to cite him for littering.
Cocoa, Florida, December 2022: Zachary John Parrott of Rockledge, Florida, was arrested for petit theft and carrying a concealed firearm after he and another man allegedly stole property from a construction company. After receiving a theft complaint, members of the Brevard County Sheriff’s office spotted the suspects’ vehicle and pulled them over. During the stop, a concealed handgun was reportedly found in Parrott’s pocket, and it was determined that he did not have a concealed weapons permit.
Newport, Rhode Island, October 2022: Nicholas Bysheim of Maryland and David Kim of Pennsylvania were cited for littering after officers caught them distributing antisemitic propaganda in Newport.\
Carrolton, Georgia, October 2022: Hillary and Philp Jacobs were cited for littering after allegedly distributing antisemitic propaganda.
Poland, September 2022: Polish authorities arrested Jon Minadeo II for violating the country’s hate speech laws after he and Robert Wilson demonstrated in front of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
Jonesboro, Arkansas, September 2022: In September 2022, a circuit court judge found probable cause to charge Dustin Levi Hart of Swifton with aggravated assault with a firearm for allegedly waving a handgun around during a traffic incident. In June 2022, Hart allegedly verbally attacked his neighbors with “unwarranted and offensive profanity” and was cited with one count of harassment. According to images shared by Region 8 Newsdesk, Hart painted white supremacist symbols, a swastika and othala rune, on a private fence along with other offensive language. Hart was also in the news back in May 2020 after he and an unidentified woman stuck swastikas to their face masks while shopping in Santee, California.
Kenosha, Wisconsin, August 2022: Kenosha Police issued 23 citations to Jeffrey Kidder for violating the city’s littering ordinance after allegedly distributing more than 500 GDL fliers throughout the community. Each citation reportedly carries a $187 fine.
Tillamook, Oregon, August and July 2022: Tillamook police arrested Matthew Dorminy, charging him with misdemeanor harassment, theft and criminal mischief following an incident in which he allegedly destroyed posters at a business and tried to replace them with GDL propaganda. He was also cited in July for affixing a flier to a vehicle or property without the owner’s permission.
Denton, Texas, March 2022: Anthony Joseph Hammer was arrested on federal charges of interstate communication of a threat following an FBI investigation focused on online threats made against the Anti-Defamation League in July 2021. During a March 2022 detention hearing, an agent with the FBI reportedly testified that Hammer also made death threats directed toward Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf in November 2020. Hammer has been active with a network of Texas-based white supremacists that hold small, localized demonstrations and distribute white supremacist and antisemitic propaganda including fliers from GDL.
Orlando, Florida, February 2022: The Orange County (Florida) Sheriff’s Department arrested and charged Jason J. Brown with grand theft in his alleged role in the January 29, 2022, hate crime assault of a Jewish man. Brown was participating in a roadside neo-Nazi demonstration with the National Socialist Movement when the alleged assault occurred. Brown is also facing unrelated felony domestic battery by strangulation charges in Brevard County.
Chula Vista, California, November 2021: On December 27, 2021, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced charges of one count of felony battery and associated anti-gay hate crime against GDL associate Robert Wilson. The charges stem from a November 10 incident in which Wilson allegedly blocked his neighbor’s driveway, yelled homophobic slurs at the victim and struck him in the face. In an unrelated incident, on December 18, Wilson allegedly violated San Diego City Municipal Code by hanging a large antisemitic banner from an Interstate 805 overpass. The banner claimed, “Jewish supremacy censors speech” and promoted the GDL’s website.
Kyle, Texas, October 2021: Police in Tyler, Texas, arrested Dominic Di Giorgio for possession of a license plate flipper. A license plate flipper allows a car’s owner to rotate or “flip” between two license plates. Di Giorgio drove his personal van from Florida to Texas to participate in GDL’s “Name the Nose” tour and was using the van to drive members of the group during their antisemitic activities in the state.
Dominic Di Giorgio – Hays County Jail booking photo
Arcata, California, March 2020: Investigators with the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office and Arcata Police Department’s Detective Unit arrested GDL activist Jesse Shenk after he allegedly solicited sex with a decoy 14-year-old.