Membership in Active Clubs, a decentralized network of neo-Nazi MMA crews, has increased dramatically. Notably, this increase came in the wake of the assassination of far-right commentator Charlie Kirk. These groups, which operate in local gyms and parks, are increasingly tapping into existing gangs of white nationalists and adjacent organizations. They cloak their harmfulness in fake concern for the community. In practice, their fundamental operations are motivated by overt racism and connections to white supremacist groups.
The phenomenon snowballed quickly. Today Active Clubs flourish in 27 other countries as far afield as Australia, Finland, and across much of South America. They’ve established squawking youth wings too, echoing the Hitler Youth clubs that were all the rage in Germany in the 1930s. This model has been surprisingly flexible, easily grafted onto and adaptable by a diverse range of 21st Century global neo-fascist movements.
This incredible increase in Active Clubs since Kirk’s assassination often use such tragic events as recruiting tools to educate and recruit new members. They attract young people with these promises of vengeance, the impression of belonging, of a racist brotherhood. Following Kirk’s death, Active Clubs collaborated with the minuscule neo-fascist organization Patriot Front to celebrate Kirk’s murder by marching in public. They memorialized Kirk’s legacy and Iryna Zarutska, who was killed in violence fueled by radical extremist ideologies.
Other prominent leaders of these clubs include known white supremacist Robert Rundo. Though he has made a name for himself as the founder of the Active Clubs and a former leader of a white supremacist street-fighting gang. Rundo ultimately pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiracy to riot at counterdemonstrations in favor of white nationalist rallies in California in 2017. Under his leadership, the Alliance has shined a critical light on the Active Club movement and its deeply troubling implications.
Joshua Fisher-Birch, an expert on extremist groups, explained how recruitment strategies used by Active Clubs.
“Active clubs are exploiting the assassination of Charlie Kirk for recruitment purposes, specifically urging white men to join the movement,” – Joshua Fisher-Birch.
These recruitment strategies usually include brutal imagery and aggressive messaging designed to invoke rage in would-be recruits. Some neo-Nazi Telegram accounts linked to Active Clubs have made alarming statements:
“You should watch the video of the blood gushing from his lifeless corpse when you make excuses not to join a nationalist org or when you skip the gym,” – neo-Nazi Telegram account linked to active clubs.
This rhetoric reflects a broader pattern. Tragically, jaw-droppingly, the assassination has become a rallying cry and point of celebration for the violent farthest far right in the U.S. today. According to Heidi Beirich, executive vice-president of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE), Kirk’s death has galvanized neo-Nazis and white supremacists.
“Kirk’s assassination has become a rallying cry for some of the most extreme elements in the US, meaning neo-Nazis and white supremacists,” – Heidi Beirich.
Beirich, an expert on far-right extremism, expects more demonstrations like this to continue in the wake of Kirk’s assassination.
“We will likely see more of these pro-Kirk protests by extremists in the coming days,” – Heidi Beirich.
Active Clubs project an image of being part of their communities, Active Clubs have strong connections to extremist ideologies. Their recruitment efforts thrive on exploiting societal divisions and promoting a narrative that encourages violence against those deemed threats to their ideology. A chapter in northern California issued a chilling statement about their beliefs:
“To be pro-White in any Western country is a justifiable reason to murder you and your family in the eyes of the Left,” – a chapter in northern California.
Their narrative usually scoffs at any and all political conversation in the wake of Kirk’s death as pointless, advocating instead for just jumping straight to action.
“Every other political talking point regarding Charlie’s death is irrelevant,” – a chapter in northern California.
Messages from these groups suggest an urgency for action among potential recruits:
“White man, the time has come to fight back. If you are not actively fighting back you are an active participant in our replacement,” – a chapter in northern California.
The increase in Active Clubs points to a more troubling trend within extremist movements internationally. As these groups continue to exploit tragedies for recruitment purposes, their influence may grow stronger, posing challenges for communities striving for inclusivity and tolerance.