Speakers Warn Of Nazi Rock Hate Groups Use Music, Internet To Influence European Teens

Nazis and other extreme-right groups are pushing a message of hate among Europe’s young through music, manipulative videos and even the Internet, speakers at an anti-racism seminar warned Friday.

Leading the assault are a collection of Swedish and American extremists hoping to influence teenagers, said participants of a meeting on the dangers of right-wing extremism in Europe.

The seminar, attended by representatives from five countries, was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Nov. 9, 1938, “Crystal Night” attack in which marauding Nazis fire-bombed and destroyed Jewish property in Germany.

Modern Nazis and extremists now employ more subtle means, such as concerts, magazines, the Internet and videos to try to get across their message of hate, seminar participants said.

“They are attempting to manipulate young people, and they have chosen music as their main tool,” said Steven Silver of the British anti-fascist magazine Searchlight. He said a recent album by the English band No Regrets contained such inflammatory lyrics as “Hang the reds, and we’ll gas the Jews.”

The Norwegian Anti-Racist Center organized the seminar to get an idea of what European extremist trends might threaten Norway.