Two teens were filming a dance for a clip at the annual Fishkill Block Party in Dutchess County, New York, when a man walked behind them and performed a gesture associated with Nazi Germany and white supremacy.
He then asked one of the teens, a 16-year-old girl, “Do you know what this means?” and instructed her to post the video on social media before walking away, according to the girl’s mother, Oris Jenkins, as reported by News 12.
Jenkins told the news outlet that her daughter had a hard time at school and even got questions from her principal about what had happened at the party.
“What inside of him would possess him to do that to two young girls?” Jenkins told News 12. “I’m sure he wouldn’t have done that to an adult. He wouldn’t have done that to someone like me.”
Community leaders moved quickly to disavow themselves of the perpetrator’s actions. As reported by Atlanta Black Star, Fishkill Mayor Kathy Martin addressed the incident at a June 1 board meeting: “I want to state very clearly that the Village of Fishkill, and I as mayor, do not condone acts of hate, prejudice, anti-semitism, or racism. I apologize to all of the people who were upset by this, but please know that we are upset as well.”
Internet Reacts To New York Nazi Salute Video at Fishkill Block Party
The New York Nazi salute video sparked debate online, with most commenters expressing disgust.
Several went straight for the character assessment. “Grown man harassing innocent girls just having fun,” one person wrote. Another pointed to the contradiction in people who deny the Nazi label while performing its gestures: “‘Why does everyone call us Nazis?? We’re not Nazis guys you’re going to water down the word’s meaning!!’ Meanwhile, those same weirdos are pulling this *expletive*,” a user commented.
The execution itself drew mockery. “He proves his supreme intelligence by saluting with the wrong hand,” one comment read. One made a pointed reference to recent political controversy: “I heard that he’s just sending his love out or saying hello, ask Elon Musk,” a user wrote.
Another kept it fundamental: “What I don’t understand is why these people feel the need to drop whatever they’re doing to go *expletive* with people that are just living their life?” one comment read.
The New York Nazi salute clip is gaining attention because it plainly documented something we don’t often see on film: intentional, malicious harassment in a public space at a family event aimed at two teenagers, and the harasser themselves instructs it to be posted on social media.
The fact that he told the teen to post it shows this was not a spur-of-the-moment stunt. He meant to make an appearance for an audience. But he got an audience he didn’t bargain for.
