Organizational History 

Keystone United is dedicated to uniting all racially aware skinheads in the state of Pennsylvania and establishing Pennsylvania as one of the most racially active states in America.They plan to clean up white America so that the country will be more like “many other once great European nations."[1] 

Racist skinheads are a white supremacist component of the skinhead subculture, most of whose adherents are not racist.Quite active in the 1980s, racist skinheads spent most of the 1990s in decline. In the 21st century, however, racist skinheads have had resurgence, growing in numbers and organization, especially on the West and East Coasts, with a secondary resurgence in the Midwest.Although most racist skinheads remain unaffiliated, a number of new racist skinhead groups have emerged in the past few years, including Keystone State Skinheads.[2] The group formed near Harrisburg, PA in 2001.Recruitment swept across the state, with members even popping up in nearby New Jersey and Maryland.Even though they promote a family-friendly atmosphere with group camping and hiking activities, group members have occasionally engaged in violent incidents targeting minorities and Jews.

Estimates of Keystone United membership have reached levels around 200 to 300 people, although the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) put that level around 70 members.[3]  In more recent years, group members have sponsored hate concerts with other white supremacist groups, including Hammerskin Nation. By 2004, the ADL claimed that Keystone United was the largest white supremacist group in the northeastern U.S.[3]  While most of the group’s activities revolve around protests, rallies, and social activities, members have engaged in numerous violent crimes targeting minorities in the past.

Structure

Keystone United has a hierarchical structure in which group activity is coordinated through regional commands. Each regional command is in charge of chapters for a particular part of the region.

Recruitment

Skinhead groups such as Keystone United usually conduct targeted recruitment campaigns in which only specific groups are considered. Target groups include disaffected juveniles and members of heavy metal/white power music groups. Although recently, in 2008, the organization decided to change its name to Keystone United in order to attract more members who may be hesitant to join a group with the word “skinhead” in the title.In addition, they adopted black fatigues and other less attention-grabbing attire than their traditional brown Nazi uniform with a swastika armband.In their efforts to become more mainstream, Keystone United hoped to attract a broader audience with more middle class individuals.[4]

Tactics 

Keystone United is heavily involved in organizational activities designed to promote unity and collaboration among the various groups under the white supremacist banner. For this reason, the group is particularly active with white power music and the promotion of concerts throughout the state of Pennsylvania.Over the past decade, members have been involved in stabbings, beatings, and general harassment of black people, homeless people, and anti-racist skinheads. 

Areas of Operation

• Altoona
• Bethlehem/Easton
• Chester County
• Greensburg
• Harrisburg
• Philadelphia
• Pittsburg
• Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
• State College

White Power Bands

• Final War
• Those Opposed
• Drew from Blue Eyed Devils

Website

• http://www.keystoneunited.com/

Gallery

References

1. Southern Poverty Law Center. (n.d.). Keystone State Skinheads. Retrieved from [1]- informed/intelligence-files/groups/keystone-state-skinheads
2. Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund. (2004). Cause for concern: Hate crimes in America. Retrieved from [2] cause_for_concern.pdf
3. Anti-Defamation League. (2009). Racist Skinhead Project: Pennsylvania. Retrieved from [3]
4. Bello, M. (2008, October 21). White supremacists target middle America.. USA Today. Retrieved from [4]
5. [5]