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Not Fucking Around Coalition

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"NFAC" redirects here. For the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex, see Ames Research Center.

Not Fucking Around Coalition
LeaderJohn Fitzgerald Johnson (Grand Master Jay)
Foundation2017; 7 years ago (2017)[1]
CountryUnited States
MotivesEstablished to protect, self-police, and educate Black communities on firearms and their constitutional rights[2] Establishment of a separate Black nation[3][4]
Active regionsSouthern United States
IdeologyBlack nationalism
Black separatism
StatusActive

The Not Fucking Around Coalition (NFAC) is a black nationalist paramilitary organization in the United States. The group advocates for black liberation and separatism. It has been described by news outlets as a “Black militia”.[5][6] It denies any connection to the Black Panther Party or Black Lives Matter.[7]

Background and organization

See also: Secession in the United States § 1980s–present efforts
See also: Liberia

John Fitzgerald Johnson, also known as Grand Master Jay and John Jay Fitzgerald Johnson, claims leadership of the group[2][8] and has stated that it is composed of "ex military shooters."[9] Johnson served in the Virginia National Guard and the Army from 1989 to 2006, leaving at the rank of private.[2] He was an independent candidate for U.S. president in 2016,[8] and has stated "We are a Black militia. We aren't protesters, we aren't demonstrators. We don't come to sing, we don't come to chant. That's not what we do."[10] Furthermore, in the same interview, Johnson expressed Black Nationalist views, putting forth the view that the United States should either hand the state of Texas over to African-Americans so that they may form an independent country, or allow African-Americans to depart the United States to another country that would provide land upon which to form an independent nation.[11][12] In 2019 Grand Master Jay told the Atlanta Black Star that the organization was formed to prevent another Greensboro Massacre.[13][14]

Thomas Mockaitis, professor of history at DePaul University noted that "In one sense it (NFAC) echoes the Black Panthers but they are more heavily armed and more disciplined... So far, they've coordinated with police and avoided engaging with violence."[2]

Activities

The first reported appearance of NFAC members was a May 12, 2020, protest near Brunswick, Georgia, over the February killing of Ahmaud Arbery,[9] though they were identified by local media as "Black Panthers".[15]

Johnson stated that NFAC provided armed security for the sister of Rayshard Brooks at her request. NFAC escorted her to a rally in downtown Atlanta in late June.[10]

On the Fourth of July, 2020, local media reported that about 100 to 200 mostly armed NFAC members marched through Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta, Georgia, calling for the removal of the Confederate monument.[16] Reuters reported the number of participants as "scores."[17] The NFAC posted videos of the event and reported the number as 1,500.[18] The Stone Mountain Memorial Association, which operates the park, stated that the protesters were peaceful and orderly.[19] Johnson stated of the site, which is important to the Ku Klux Klan: "Our initial goal was to have a formation of our militia in Stone Mountain to send a message that as long as you're abolishing all these statues across the country, what about this one?"[10] He also stated that the formation was a response to a threat by the KKK to start shooting black people at 8 pm on the Fourth of July, 2020.[18] Johnson thus stated at the formation, "I want the heart of the Ku Klux Klan to hear me no matter where the fuck you are. I'm in your house. Where you at? You made a threat. We don't threaten."[20]

On July 25, a local news outlet stated that "more than 300" members were gathered in Louisville, Kentucky to protest the lack of action against the officers responsible for the March shooting of Breonna Taylor.[21][22][23] The NFAC posted a video of the event on its official YouTube page, reporting the number of militia members registered and present as 3,500.[24] On July 20, preceding the event, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Louisville Metro Council President David James had a phone conversation with Johnson, which the AG's office described as "productive".[25] In response to the announced NFAC presence, about 50 armed Three Percenters counter-protested.[23] Louisville police in riot gear helped to facilitate the maintenance of space between the groups.[23] Three NFAC members were wounded during a negligent weapon discharge.[26] The NFAC said that the discharge occurred when a person who was not yet admitted into the formation collapsed from heat exhaustion and fired her weapon into the ground. The weapon was an older shotgun that Johnson said would not have been approved for the formation. The shotgun projectiles hit the ground, then ricocheted and hit three people. Johnson reported that two of those hit were checked by medics and cleared to continue to participate in the formation.[27]

On October 3, over 400 members of the NFAC along with over 200 other armed protesters marched in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana. This demonstration was sparked after United States Representative Clay Higgins made threats against protesters who showed up armed regarding the shooting of Trayford Pellerin at the hands of police.[28] NFAC leader John Fitzgerald Johnson along with other speakers gave speeches at the Parc San Souci, urging members to continue protesting. Afterwards, the group marched and left.[29]

On November 2, Kansas City-based activist Keiajah Brooks announced via Twitter that she was under protection from the NFAC after multiple alleged instances of harassment committed by officers from the Kansas City Police Department. A week prior, she went viral online shortly after a video was released of her criticizing the local city commissioners for “choosing profits over people” as well as her push for the Police Chief Rick Smith to resign.[30]

On December 3, Johnson was arrested for allegedly aiming his rifle at police officers during protests about the Breonna Taylor killing.[31][32]

See also

References

  1. ^ "What Is the NFAC, and Who Is Grandmaster Jay?". Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Chavez, Nicole; Young, Ryan; Barajas, Angela (October 25, 2020). "An all-Black group is arming itself and demanding change. They are the NFAC". CNN. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  3. ^ Neil, Shane Paul (September 4, 2020). "What Is the NFAC, & Who Is Grandmaster Jay?". Complex. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  4. ^ Owen, Tess (October 28, 2020). "'If You Attack Us, We Will Kill You': The Not Fucking Around Coalition Wants to Protect Black Americans". VICE. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  5. ^ James, Gerry Seavo; Shugerman, Emily (July 25, 2020). "Three Injured as Rival Armed Militias Converge on Louisville". The Daily Beast. Retrieved July 27, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Blest, Paul. "Protests Against Police Brutality and Trump's Secret Police Are Exploding Across the U.S." www.vice.com. Retrieved July 27, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "Black militia called 'Not F-king Around Coalition' demonstrates; angered at 'Black Panther' comparison". Law Enforcement Today. July 6, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Ashley, Asia (July 6, 2020). "Local militia challenges White supremacy during Fourth of July march". The DeKalb Champion. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Davis, Zuri (May 29, 2020). "Black Civilians Arm Themselves To Protest Racial Violence and Protect Black-Owned Businesses". Reason.com. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c Fearnow, Benjamin (July 5, 2020). "Armed Black Militia Challenges White Nationalists at Georgia's Stone Mountain Park". Newsweek. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  11. ^ "New Black Nationalist Statement Supporting the Not Fucking Around Coalition". New Black Nationalism. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "Not Fucking Around Coalition". Globalsecurity.org. October 9, 2020.
  13. ^ "'Send a Message': Black Militia Leader Says Membership Skyrocketed After They Began Showing Up Where White Militias Protested with Little Challenge from Police". Atlanta Black Star. July 13, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  14. ^ "What Is the NFAC, and Who Is Grandmaster Jay?". Complex. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  15. ^ Gough, Lyndsey (May 9, 2020). "Hundreds gather to release balloons to honor Ahmaud Arbery's birthday". WTOC 11. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  16. ^ "'I'm in your house' - Armed group condemns systemic and overt racism, marches to Stone Mountain". 11Alive.com. July 4, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  17. ^ Gorman, Steve (July 5, 2020). "Predominantly Black armed protesters march through Confederate memorial park in Georgia". Reuters. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  18. ^ a b Martin S., Roland. "'Sending A Message' To White Supremacy: After Armed Black Militia Marched In GA, NFAC Founder Speaks." YouTube. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  19. ^ 11 Alive. "Group of armed demonstrators enter Stone Mountain Park." YouTube. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  20. ^ King, Michael; Buchanan, Christopher (July 4, 2020). "'I'm in your house' | Armed group condemns systemic and overt racism, marches to Stone Mountain". 11 Alive. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  21. ^ Kenning, Chris, et. al. "Opposing armed militias converge in Louisville, escalating tensions but avoiding violence." Courier Journal. July 25, 2020. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  22. ^ "NFAC militia leader says Saturday's planned march is about 'justice for Breonna Taylor'". WDRB. July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  23. ^ a b c Kenning, Chris; Bailey, Phillip M.; Gardner, Hayes; Eadens, Savannah; Tobin, Ben (July 25, 2020). "Opposing armed militias converge in Louisville, escalating tensions but avoiding violence". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  24. ^ The Official Grandmaster Jay. "The NFAC March on Louisville Ky". Youtube. Retrieved Aug 27, 2020.
  25. ^ Tobin, Ben (July 21, 2020). "Daniel Cameron holds meeting on Breonna Taylor with Black militia leader". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  26. ^ Woolston, Bryan (July 26, 2020). "Black armed protesters march in Kentucky demanding justice for Breonna Taylor". Reuters. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  27. ^ The Official Grand Master Jay. "NFAC Destroys Lies And False Reporting Of Louisville Formation." Youtube. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  28. ^ "NFAC leader "disappointed" in Rep. Higgins after meeting canceled". KATC (TV). October 1, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  29. ^ "NFAC march: Protest in Lafayette ends as organizers proclaim 'another successful demonstration'". The Daily Advertiser (Lafayette, Louisiana). Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  30. ^ "Keiajah Brooks reveals she's now under NFAC protection". Revolt TV. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  31. ^ Vera, Amir; Riess, Rebekah (December 4, 2020). "Founder of all-Black armed activist group faces federal charge after FBI says he aimed a rifle at officers". CNN. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  32. ^ Dowd, Trone (December 4, 2020). "Leader of the Pro-Black 'NFAC' Militia Arrested and Charged by Feds". VICE. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
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