Tony Zirkle, a Republican candidate for Indiana’s 2nd congressional District, spoke before a large picture of Adolf Hitler Sunday, at a gathering hosted by the American National Socialist Workers Party.
Flanked by individuals wearing Nazi swastika armbands, and standing next to a swastika flag, Zirkle was pictured on the group’s Web site holding aloft a Seventh Day Adventist book.
The gathering, according to the ANSWP Web site, was held to celebrate the 119th anniversary of Hitler’s birth. Zirkle is pictured under a headline which reads “56 White Activists celebrate the birth of Adolf Hitler in Chicago.”
“I’ll speak before any group that invites me,” Zirkle said Monday. “I’ve spoken on an African-American radio station in Atlanta.”
Zirkle said the neo-Nazi group’s invitation “gave me an opportunity to witness to them,” and said he handed out numerous copies of a 19th-century book of Adventist prophecy called “Desire of the Ages.”
“I don’t really know much about them,” Zirkle said of the swastika-clad ANSWP members. “When the press attacked me on the segregation issue, they invited me to speak.”
Speaking along with Zirkle at the rally were a former German SS officer, a former congressional candidate from Illinois, and Bill White, the commander of the organization, according to the ANSWP Web site.
Goshen businessman Luke Puckett, who is also seeking the Republican nomination in the 2nd District race, circulated the Web link and copies of the pictures to the media Monday.
Puckett attached a quote to those e-mails, and his press secretary, Kyle Bailey, said the campaign would not comment further.
“I cannot believe that in 2008, anyone could think so backward,” Puckett wrote.
Zirkle’s appearance at a neo-Nazi function follows a string of controversial statements by the Crown Point attorney, including the suggestion that racial segregation could serve a useful purpose, and that convicted child sex offenders should be executed by the guillotine.
Zirkle has also attempted to draw media coverage to his campaign by changing his middle name to a cypher and publicly tearing up copies of adult magazines.
The ANSWP Web site said Zirkle spoke at the Chicago event on his past experiences “prosecuting Jewish and Zionist criminal gangs involved in trafficking prostitutes and pornography.”
“They were concerned with respect to prostitution and the targeting of young, white women,” Zirkle said of the Nazi group.
Zirkle went on to say that “Jews were basically prominent in getting the pornography industry started in the United States.”
Asked if he was worried that some might be offended by his appearance at a neo-Nazi event, Zirkle compared his appearance to former President Jimmy Carter going to speak to the Palestinian group Hamas.
“I understand that’s the risk people who want to be statesmen have to take,” Zirkle said.
Asked for his personal opinion on Hitler, Zirkle paused for a moment.
“Obviously, I never knew him,” Zirkle said. “I think he was a mass murderer, and from what I’ve heard in the media, I also understand that in his own mind, he was standing up against the injustices practiced against his country.”
Zirkle said Hitler was initially successful at reducing crime, “and the economy certainly improved,” but ultimately served to warn others that absolute power corrupts.
Local News
Candidate speaks at Nazi rally
Tony Zirkle at Hitler’s birthday celebration.
- Local News
-
-
Entire U.S. 31 corridor now under contract
Every segment of the 13.1-mile, U.S. 31 Kokomo Corridor is now officially under construction.
-
Northwestern to graduate 130 seniors
Peyton Hite ended her last day in high school by going home and washing sheep.
“It’s part of living on a farm,” she said, with a laugh.
-
Drugs, cash seized, four arrested
Police from four agencies seized heroin, pills, syringes and cash, and arrested four people this week after a raid on a house on East Street, according to police reports.
-
Lafayette job fair expects Kokomo hopefuls
Organizers of a Lafayette job fair next week are reaching out to Kokomo residents looking for work.
-
Deputy prosecutor facing two charges
A Howard County deputy prosecutor will face two drunken-driving charges in connection with a traffic stop in Cicero.
-
Governor honors student
A Northwestern High School senior achieved a milestone Thursday when he became the first Indiana student ever to win both of the state’s top science awards.
-
Taylor considering staff reductions
A decline in enrollment has forced Taylor School Corp. to consider staff reductions, but the board won’t vote on the issue until next week, officials said Thursday.
-
Schools among top 20 in Indiana
Three area schools were ranked among the top 20 in Indiana this year by U.S. News and World Report.
Tri-Central Middle/High School, Eastern Junior-Senior High School and Tipton High School all made the list, which was an evaluation of 379 high schools across the state.
-
Library starts iPad rental program
Apple can’t make enough iPads to satisfy demand, but the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library now owns 15 iPad2 units.
Thursday, social media-conscious library patrons scrambled to borrow the tablet computers, on the first official day of the library’s iPad lending program.
-
Gov. names NW student 'Mr. Science' for 2012
Tyler Barnes becomes first Indiana student to be named Indiana's Top Young Scientist and Mr. Science.
- More Local News Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
