Dillon Irizarry
Dillon Hopper | |
|---|---|
| Born | Dillon Irizarry 1988 (age 36–37) |
| Occupation | activist |
| Years active | 2016-present |
| Known for | Leader of Vanguard America Coordinator of the Unite the Right rally |
Dillon Irizarry (also known as Dillon Hopper) is an
Biography
Early life
Irizarry was born in 1988 in New Mexico.[1] He graduated from high-school in Roswell, New Mexico in 2005 and then immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.[2] He joined the marines at the insistence of a Big Brothers Big Sisters of America mentor.[3]
Irizarry served in the
In 2006 he legally changed his name to Dillon Hopper, however, he still uses Irizarry when speaking on behalf of Vanguard America.[2]
Irizarry claims to have been a
Vanguard America leadership
At the Kentucky speech he announced that he was the leader of a yet unheard of group, Vanguard America, which consisted of 200 members across 20 states.[4] Irizarry would later state that Vanguard America was founded in 2015 in California.[5] Irizarry also claimed that he was not the founder of Vanguard America, and that he took over leadership.[2] Irizarry structured Vanguard America as a hierarchical organization based on Führerprinzip, referring to himself as 'commander.'[2]
In June of 2017 Irizarry started to feud with Thomas Rousseau, the leader of the "Southern Front" of Vanguard America, following the "Texas is Ours" rally in Austin where Rousseau gave a length speech and sidelined Irizarry.[5] Irizarry claimed that Rousseau was attempting to portray himself as the leader of Vanguard America.[5]
Unite the Right
Despite not participating in the
The rally would be a disaster for the far-right, and Vanguard America specifically, due to
Breakup of Vanguard America
As Irizarry dealt with the aftermath of the rally, Rousseau, the Southern Front and most of the more moderate neo-Fascists split to form Patriot Front, seizing Vanguard America's website and discord servers.[5] Despite this, Irizarry and Vanguard America continued to limp along, until 2018 when the more radical neo-Nazis split to form the National Socialist Legion, after which Vanguard America has shown "very few signs of life" with Irizarry largely disappearing from public view.[5]
Personal life
Irizarry has a brother who lives in Roswell.[3] Following his return to civilian life Irizarry has frequently moved around the country, living in California and Ohio and by the time of Unite the Right had his official residence listed as in Indiana.[2][3]
Views
Irizarry has explicitly stated that he and Vanguard America are not white supremacists or neo-Nazis but that he cares for "my ethnicity above any others" and has labeled himself as a Fascist.[8] Despite this, Irizarry also said he is opposed to multiculturalism, and claims the United States is a country for white people.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Linehan, Adam. "Leader Of Charlottesville White Nationalist Group Was A Marine Corps Recruiter". Task & Purpose. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Swaine, Jon; Beckett, Lois. "Leader of neo-Nazi group linked to Charlottesville attack was a US marine". The Guardian. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ a b c Oxford, Andrew. "Photo from Virginia rally turns focus toward New Mexico native". Taos News. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "From Alt Right to Alt Lite: Naming the Hate". Anti-Defamation League. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Vanguard America". Anti-Defamation League. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- ^ Washington Post. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- Washington Post. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ Murphy, Paul P. "American Nazis post bigoted flyers on SMU campus". CNN. Retrieved January 27, 2025.