The group of white supremacists who threatened a New Hampshire state representative last week has been building their base of support for more than a year, and there has been evidence of the work of members on the Seacoast.

The group is known as Nationalist Social Club, and also goes by NSC 131.

It is virulently anti-Semitic and racist, with members calling for violence against Jews and minorities.

The group was founded in eastern Massachusetts and its members are allegedly tied to violent Neo-Nazi groups such as The Base, Aryan Strike and Patriot Front. It has off-shoot charts in Europe and some southern states.

The 131 in the group’s name is an alphanumeric code for “anti-communist action,” according to the Anti-Defamation League.

Journalist William Tucker tracked the group's online activity last year, noting the group was leaving graffiti, propaganda, and making appearances throughout southern New Hampshire, including Hampton Beach.

Photo by William Tucker
Photo by William Tucker
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On June 18, 2020, Tucker posted to Twitter the photo above and wrote, "NSC-131's most recent outing was this week at Hampton Beach."

The work of group members has also been spotted by Tucker in Kittery and York in Maine.

NSC 131 targeted a Nashua state representative last week for complaining about their graffiti 

Nashua’s Manny Espitia, a state representative and current president of the New Hampshire Young Democrats, has been personally targeted by the white supremacists.

Espitia had posted photos of NSC 131 graffiti he found in his Nashua neighborhood on social media and was threatened.

“No person should ever be threatened because of race, ethnicity, nationality, or their identity,” Espitia wrote on Twitter on May 21.

“I will continue to fight against racism in our world. I won't stop because of Neo-Nazis,” Espitia continued.

Facebook photo
Facebook photo
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Members of NSC 131 responded to Espitia’s post on their Telegram channel that Espitia’s time is close to an end.

“Anyone w/ a name like 'Manny Espitia', State Rep or not, has no moral right to throw shade at any true (White) Nationalist New Hampshirite. You have no right to be here, you’re an occupier here & the days of these types trampling on New England are coming to an end,” an anonymous NSC 131 poster wrote.

House Democratic Leader Rep. Renny Cushing, D-Hampton, sent a letter Friday to newly installed Attorney General John Formella and Acting United States Attorney John Farley to open an investigation into the hate group.

"The Telegram post by NSC-131 shares a screenshot of a post from Rep. Espitia's personal Twitter account, which includes a photograph of a Nashua city street spray-painted with white nationalist statements," Cushing wrote.

Cushing included the language which was used by the anonymous NSC 131 member about days "coming to an end."

“I interpret this statement as a direct threat by a white nationalist against an elected official who is a person of color. I ask that your office swiftly investigate and alert local authorities of this group’s presence in our communities,” Cushing wrote.

Cushing is not alone in standing behind Espitia.

House Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, condemned the group's actions in a statement released Friday.

“I am extremely disturbed by the abhorrent treatment of Representative Manny Espitia (D-Nashua) by NSC-131,” Packard said. “There is no place for hatred in New Hampshire and groups like these do not represent the fabric of our communities. New Hampshire is one of the best places to live, and we will continue working together to ensure that it stays that way. In this state, we believe that everyone belongs here.”

A member of NSC 131 doubled down Friday evening on their Telegram page.

“Manny Espitia — for the duration of your stay here you’ll come to find the Granite State is EXTREMELY racist,” read a post in a reply on the social media page.

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