Not Fucking Around Coalition Explained

Not Fucking Around Coalition
Leader:John Fitzgerald Johnson (Grand Master Jay)
Country:United States
Foundation:[1]
Motives:Established to protect, self-police, and educate Black communities on firearms and their constitutional rights Establishment of a separate Black nation[2] [3]
Area:Southern United States
Ideology:Black nationalism
Black separatism
Status:Active

The Not Fucking Around Coalition (NFAC) is a black nationalist militia, part of the militia movement in the United States. The group advocates for black liberation and separatism. It has been described by news outlets as a "Black militia".[4] [5] It denies any connection to the Black Panther Party or Black Lives Matter.[6]

Background and organization

John Fitzgerald Johnson, also known as Grand Master Jay and John Jay Fitzgerald Johnson, claims leadership of the group[7] and has stated that it is composed of "ex military shooters."[8] Johnson served in the Virginia National Guard and the Army from 1989 to 2006, leaving at the rank of private due to an other than honorable discharge. He was an independent candidate for U.S. president in 2016[7] and has stated: "We are a Black militia. We aren't protesters, we aren't demonstrators. We don't come to sing, we don't come to chant. That's not what we do."[9] Furthermore, in the same interview, Johnson expressed Black Nationalist views, putting forth the view that the United States should either hand the state of Texas over to African-Americans so that they may form an independent country, or allow African-Americans to depart the United States to another country that would provide land upon which to form an independent nation.[10] [11] In April 2021 Johnson expanded on this notion, telling The Atlantic that the intention of the NFAC was to establish the "United Black Kemetic Nation", a strictly black ethno-state.[12]

In 2019, Johnson told the Atlanta Black Star that the organization was formed to prevent another Greensboro Massacre.[13] [14]

Thomas Mockaitis, professor of history at DePaul University stated: "In one sense it (NFAC) echoes the Black Panthers but they are more heavily armed and more disciplined... So far, they've coordinated with police and avoided engaging with violence."[15]

NFAC mandates that members have a concealed-carry permit or the ability to obtain one.[12]

Activities

The first reported appearance of NFAC members was a May 12, 2020, protest near Brunswick, Georgia, over the February murder of Ahmaud Arbery,[8] though they were identified by local media as "Black Panthers".[16]

Johnson stated that NFAC provided armed security for the sister of Rayshard Brooks at her request. NFAC escorted her to a rally in downtown Atlanta in late June.[9]

On the Fourth of July, 2020, local media reported that about 100 to 200 mostly armed NFAC members marched through Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta, Georgia, calling for the removal of the Confederate monument. Reuters reported the number of participants as "scores."[17] The NFAC posted videos of the event and reported the number as 1,500.[18] The Stone Mountain Memorial Association, which operates the park, stated that the protesters were peaceful and orderly.[19] Johnson stated of the site, which is important to the Ku Klux Klan: "Our initial goal was to have a formation of our militia in Stone Mountain to send a message that as long as you're abolishing all these statues across the country, what about this one?"[9] He also stated that the formation was a response to a threat by the KKK to start shooting black people at 8 pm on the Fourth of July, 2020.[18] Johnson thus stated at the formation, "I want the heart of the Ku Klux Klan to hear me no matter where the fuck you are. I'm in your house. Where you at? You made a threat. We don't threaten."[20]

On July 25, a local news outlet stated that "more than 300" members were gathered in Louisville, Kentucky to protest the lack of action against the officers responsible for the March killing of Breonna Taylor.[21] [22] The NFAC posted a video of the event on its official YouTube page, reporting the number of militia members registered and present as 3,500.[23] On July 20, preceding the event, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Louisville Metro Council President David James had a phone conversation with Johnson, which the AG's office described as "productive".[24] In response to the announced NFAC presence, about 50 armed Three Percenters counter-protested.[21] Louisville police in riot gear helped to facilitate the maintenance of space between the groups.[21] Three NFAC members were wounded during a negligent weapon discharge.[25] The NFAC said that the discharge occurred when a person who was not yet admitted into the formation collapsed from heat exhaustion and fired her weapon into the ground. The weapon was an older shotgun that Johnson said would not have been approved for the formation. The shotgun projectiles hit the ground, then ricocheted and hit three people. Johnson reported that two of those hit were checked by medics and cleared to continue to participate in the formation.[26]

On October 3, over 400 members of the NFAC along with over 200 other armed protesters marched in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana. This demonstration was sparked after United States Representative Clay Higgins made threats against protesters who showed up armed regarding the shooting of Trayford Pellerin at the hands of police.[27] Johnson along with other speakers gave speeches at the Parc San Souci, urging members to continue protesting. A protest attendee, not associated with the NFAC, was arrested after accidentally discharging a handgun. No one was injured.[28] Afterwards, the group marched and left.[29]

On November 2, Kansas City-based activist Keiajah Brooks announced via Twitter that she was under protection from the NFAC after multiple alleged instances of harassment committed by officers from the Kansas City Police Department. A week prior, she went viral online shortly after a video was released of her criticizing the local city commissioners for "choosing profits over people" as well as her push for the Police Chief Rick Smith to resign.[30]

On December 3, Johnson was arrested by the FBI for allegedly aiming his rifle at police officers during protests about Breonna Taylor's killing.[31] [32] He was later federally indicted the following year on February 24, 2021, and has since been found guilty.[33] [34] In November 2022, he was sentenced to 7 years and 2 months in prison along with 3 years of supervision after completion of the term. He is currently incarcerated at Ashland FCI.[35]

On June 23, 2021, former NFAC member Othal "Ozone" Wallace shot and killed Daytona Beach Police Department Officer Jason Raynor whilst he was conducting a "proactive patrol". He then attempted to disable the bodycam worn by the officer.[36] [37] Three days later, Wallace was arrested after police found out he was hiding at an alleged NFAC-affiliated property in DeKalb County, Georgia. According to Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young, four other people were at the said property, along with multiple firearms, multiple flashbangs, body armor, and ammunition.[38] The NFAC stated Othal Wallace was terminated from the organization on January 21, 2021. They also said they were not affiliated with the property as reported, claiming that it was owned by another ex-NFAC member.[39]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: What Is the NFAC, and Who Is Grandmaster Jay? . . October 4, 2020.
  2. Web site: Neil . Shane Paul . What Is the NFAC, & Who Is Grandmaster Jay? . Complex . September 4, 2020 . November 24, 2020.
  3. News: Owen . Tess . 'If You Attack Us, We Will Kill You': The Not Fucking Around Coalition Wants to Protect Black Americans . . October 28, 2020 . December 5, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210107072616/https://www.vice.com/en/article/3anz38/the-not-fucking-around-coalition-wants-to-protect-black-americans . January 7, 2021 . live.
  4. News: Shugerman. Emily. James. Gerry Seavo. July 25, 2020. Three Injured as Rival Armed Militias Converge on Louisville. The Daily Beast. live. July 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415021843/https://www.thedailybeast.com/shots-fired-as-three-percenter-and-not-fucking-around-coalition-militias-face-off-in-louisville-kentucky. April 15, 2021.
  5. News: Blest. Paul. July 27, 2020. Protests Against Police Brutality and Trump's Secret Police Are Exploding Across the U.S.. Vice News. live. July 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210227173931/https://www.vice.com/en/article/935zwz/protests-against-police-brutality-and-trumps-goon-squads-are-exploding-across-the-us. February 27, 2021.
  6. Web site: Black militia called 'Not F-king Around Coalition' demonstrates; angered at 'Black Panther' comparison . Law Enforcement Today . July 6, 2020 . October 6, 2020.
  7. News: Ashley. Asia. July 6, 2020. Local militia challenges White supremacy during Fourth of July march. The Champion. live. July 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213056/http://thechampionnewspaper.com/news/local/local-militia-challenges-white-supremacy-during-fourth-of-july-march/. June 2, 2021.
  8. Web site: Davis. Zuri. May 29, 2020. Black Civilians Arm Themselves To Protest Racial Violence and Protect Black-Owned Businesses. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210429144039/https://reason.com/2020/05/29/black-civilians-arm-themselves-to-protest-racial-violence-and-protect-black-owned-businesses/. April 29, 2021. July 25, 2020. Reason.
  9. News: Fearnow . Benjamin . Armed Black Militia Challenges White Nationalists at Georgia's Stone Mountain Park . . July 25, 2020 . July 5, 2020.
  10. Web site: New Black Nationalist Statement Supporting the Not Fucking Around Coalition . New Black Nationalism . 2020-11-08.
  11. Web site: Not Fucking Around Coalition. October 9, 2020. Globalsecurity.org.
  12. News: Wood . Graeme . 2 April 2021 . A Black Army Rises to Fight the Racist Right . . 5 November 2021.
  13. News: Savage. Niara. July 13, 2020. 'Send a Message': Black Militia Leader Says Membership Skyrocketed After They Began Showing Up Where White Militias Protested with Little Challenge from Police. Atlanta Black Star. live. October 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210501192558/https://atlantablackstar.com/2020/07/13/send-a-message-black-militia-leader-says-membership-skyrocketed-after-they-began-showing-up-where-white-militias-protested-with-little-challenge-from-police/. May 1, 2021.
  14. Web site: What Is the NFAC, and Who Is Grandmaster Jay?. 2020-10-28. Complex.
  15. News: Chavez. Nicole. Young. Ryan. Barajas. Angela. October 25, 2020. An all-Black group is arming itself and demanding change. They are the NFAC. CNN. live. November 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210212155147/https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/25/us/nfac-black-armed-group/index.html. February 12, 2021.
  16. News: Gough . Lyndsey . Lyndsey Gough . May 9, 2020 . Hundreds gather to release balloons to honor Ahmaud Arbery's birthday . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210603055137/https://www.wtoc.com/2020/05/09/hundreds-gather-release-balloons-honor-ahmaud-arberys-birthday/ . June 3, 2021 . July 25, 2020 . WTOC-TV.
  17. News: Gorman. Steve. July 5, 2020. Predominantly Black armed protesters march through Confederate memorial park in Georgia. Reuters. live. July 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602231553/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-race-usa-stone-mountain-idUSKBN24605G. June 2, 2021.
  18. Martin S., Roland. "'Sending A Message' To White Supremacy: After Armed Black Militia Marched In GA, NFAC Founder Speaks." YouTube. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  19. Group of armed demonstrators enter Stone Mountain Park. July 4, 2020. video. WXIA-TV. August 29, 2020. YouTube.
  20. News: King . Michael . Buchanan . Christopher . 'I'm in your house': Armed group condemns systemic and overt racism, marches to Stone Mountain . . July 25, 2020 . July 4, 2020 . https://archive.today/20200705144244/https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/stone-mountain/group-of-demonstrators-enter-stone-mountain-park/85-2ea0c153-8a88-46bd-bca7-faf19ec2c8ba . July 5, 2020 . live.
  21. News: Kenning. Chris. Bailey. Phillip M.. Gardner. Hayes. Eadens. Savannah. Tobin. Ben. July 25, 2020. Opposing armed militias converge in Louisville, escalating tensions but avoiding violence. The Courier-Journal. live. limited. August 29, 2020. https://archive.today/20210611055437/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2020/07/25/louisville-protests-nfac-three-percenters-expected-demonstrate/3288198001/. June 11, 2021.
  22. News: July 24, 2020. NFAC militia leader says Saturday's planned march is about 'justice for Breonna Taylor'. WDRB. live. July 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210603091922/https://www.wdrb.com/news/nfac-militia-leader-says-saturdays-planned-march-is-about-justice-for-breonna-taylor/article_9bed73ca-cdce-11ea-b68e-1b826d26d9cc.html. June 3, 2021.
  23. The Official Grandmaster Jay. "The NFAC March on Louisville Ky". YouTube. Retrieved Aug 27, 2020.
  24. News: Tobin. Ben. July 21, 2020. Daniel Cameron holds meeting on Breonna Taylor with Black militia leader. The Courier-Journal. live. July 25, 2020. https://archive.today/20210611055808/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/07/21/kentucky-ag-daniel-cameron-holds-meeting-black-militia-leader/5481953002/. June 11, 2021.
  25. News: Woolston. Bryan. July 26, 2020. Black armed protesters march in Kentucky demanding justice for Breonna Taylor. Reuters. live. July 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210518112837/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-race-protests-louisville-idUSKCN24R025. May 18, 2021.
  26. The Official Grand Master Jay. "NFAC Destroys Lies And False Reporting Of Louisville Formation." YouTube. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  27. News: October 1, 2020. NFAC leader "disappointed" in Rep. Higgins after meeting canceled. KATC. live. October 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210424162156/https://www.katc.com/news/around-acadiana/higgins-says-he-did-not-apologize-to-nfac-leader-calls-off-meeting. April 24, 2021.
  28. News: 2020-10-03. Police: Accidental shots fired at downtown Lafayette protest. 2021-10-29. Klfy.com. en-US.
  29. News: Dodge. Victoria. Capps. Andrew. October 3, 2020. NFAC march: Protest in Lafayette ends as organizers proclaim 'another successful demonstration'. The Daily Advertiser. live. limited. October 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201124091602/https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/local/2020/10/03/update-not-f-ing-around-coalition-nfac-march-downtown-lafayette/5885382002/. November 24, 2020.
  30. Web site: Keiajah Brooks reveals she's now under NFAC protection. Revolt TV. November 29, 2020.
  31. News: Vera. Amir. Riess. Rebekah. December 4, 2020. Founder of all-Black armed activist group faces federal charge after FBI says he aimed a rifle at officers. CNN. live. December 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511064251/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/04/us/nfac-john-fitzgerald-johnson-grand-master-jay-arrest/index.html. May 11, 2021.
  32. News: Dowd. Trone. December 4, 2020. Leader of the Pro-Black 'NFAC' Militia Arrested and Charged by Feds. Vice News. live. December 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214041/https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7m7yd/leader-of-the-pro-black-nfac-militia-arrested-and-charged-by-feds. June 2, 2021.
  33. Web site: Grandmaster Jay found guilty of pointing AR-15 at officers during Louisville protests .
  34. News: Kobin. Billy. February 25, 2021. NFAC leader 'Grandmaster Jay' indicted on federal charges linked to Breonna Taylor protest. The Courier-Journal.
  35. Web site: Cincinnati Man Sentenced to 7 Years and 2 Months in Federal Prison for Assaulting and Brandishing a Firearm at Federal Task Force Officers . United States Department of Justice . 2022-11-09 . 2022-12-19.
  36. News: Mates . Thomas . WKMG-TV. What is the NFAC? A look at Black militia group police say is connected to suspected shooter of Daytona officer. June 26, 2021.
  37. News: Fernandez. Frank. . Daytona officer shooting suspect Othal Wallace captured: What we know. June 26, 2021.
  38. News: Riess . Rebekah. June 26, 2021. Man wanted for shooting Daytona Beach officer in the head captured near Atlanta. CNN.
  39. News: Dowd . Trone . Owen . Tess. Member of New Black Panther Splinter Group Suspected of Shooting Cop in Head. Vice News. June 27, 2021.

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