CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The community of Chillicothe is no stranger to hate groups. The Guardian’s investigative efforts have exposed leading figures within the alt-right and white supremacist movement. Recent incidents highlight the urgent need to address these extremist ideologies.
Aryan Freedom Network Protest at Pride Celebration
In August, members of the Aryan Freedom Network staged a protest during a Pride celebration held in Yoctangee Park. They distributed propaganda literature and used the park as a backdrop for hate videos. This clash between inclusivity and bigotry unfolded in plain view, leaving residents shocked and concerned.
Trinity White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
Recently, residents have also reported receiving flyers from a group identifying itself as the Trinity White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (TWK). According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), TWK is a small, Kentucky-based Klan faction founded by William Marcus Bader in 2012. After years of relative inactivity, TWK reemerged in 2023, gaining media attention for distributing propaganda in both Kentucky and Indiana. Notably, TWK was previously active during 2014 and 2015, participating in protests and demonstrations.
Ross County’s Troubling History
Ross County, Ohio, has become a hotbed for white supremacy groups. Among the notable figures is Paul Mullet, a resident of Bainbridge. Mullet’s controversial background has drawn scrutiny from both the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
Paul Mullet: Neo-Nazi and Christian Identity Adherent
Born in 1973 in Chillicothe, Mullet has been entrenched in the far-right white supremacy movement since the early 1990s. Initially associated with Thom Robb’s Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Mullet later became involved with the Aryan Nations, a dangerous Christian Identity group with neo-Nazi leanings. Mullet’s splinter groups, all with ties to Ross County and Southern Ohio, have perpetuated extremist ideologies. He has authored several books, available on platforms like eBay and Amazon, that propagate antisemitism and hate. Despite his affiliations, Mullet continues to operate within the white supremacist landscape.
James Mason: A Chillicothe Native with Ties to Terror
James Mason, born in Chillicothe in 1973, has been involved in the far-right white supremacy movement since the late 1960s. As a young teenager, Mason joined George Lincoln Rockwell’s American Nazi Party. He was later mentored by Dr. William Pierce, the infamous author of the “Turner Diaries.” Mason’s affiliations include the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and the Aryan Nations. In the 1980s, he formed the organization called the Universal Order in Chillicothe, maintaining direct contact with convicted cult leader Charles Manson. Raids on Mason’s residence in 1988 and 1991 revealed pornographic photos of a 15-year-old girl. Mason authored the publication “Siege,” which became a cult favorite for white supremacists across America. The book was reportedly used by Oklahoma City Bomber Timothy McVeigh while planning the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Mason continues to teach violence and extremist ideologies from Denver, Colorado.
Chillicothe’s Battle Against Extremism
As the community grapples with the resurgence of hate groups, advocates emphasize the need for love and inclusion. One local faith leader released a statement saying, “This hateful rhetoric stands in stark contrast to the foundations of love and togetherness upon which Chillicothe stands. The actions of a few cannot and will not define us.” Rev. Moses D. Edwards, Jr., pastor of the First Baptist Church of Chillicothe, calls on the community to “remain a beacon where love and unity triumph over hate and division.”