UNCLASSIFIED
Black Separatist Extremists
Background
• Black separatist extremists are individuals or groups that seek to establish
an independent nation for people of African descent through force or
violence and other criminal activity. They claim superiority over white
people, are typically anti-Semitic, and oppose integration and interracial
marriage.
• The intent and capability of black separatist groups vary by chapter and
region. At least two groups are active in New Jersey: the New Black
Panther Party (NBPP) and the Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ
(ICGJC). The NBPP portrays itself as a militant modern expression of
the original Black Panther Party; however, representatives of the original
group have denounced the “exploitation of the party’s name and history”
and have called the organization “a black racist hate group.” The ICGJC
justifies its rhetoric with religious ideology and believes its members are
the true Hebrew descendants. NBPP and ICGJC promote violent and hate-
based rhetoric against law enforcement, government officials, the Jewish
community, and white people.
New Black Panther Party logo
Additional Resources
2020 Terrorism Threat Assessment
Based in Hate: Rising Threats From Domestic Extremists
Information cutoff: February 25, 2020
Threat to New Jersey: Moderate US Nexus
Groups operating in New Jersey are unlikely to plot or conduct attacks • On December 28, 2019, Grafton Thomas entered a rabbi’s home in
despite espousing hate-based rhetoric due to disorganization and lack of Monsey, New York, and stabbed five people, critically injuring two.
consistent leadership, as they mainly continue to focus on activities related Thomas attempted to continue the attack at a synagogue next to the home,
to narcotics, illegal weapons, and financial crimes. Lone offenders, however, but parishioners inside locked the doors and prevented him from entering.
may draw inspiration from the black separatist ideology and can act without Thomas fled the scene, but authorities captured him hours later in New
warning. York City. The federal complaint charging Thomas with hate crimes noted
writings in his journal had anti-Semitic messages and possible references
• In January 2020, the leader of the ICGJC and a subordinate were to Black Hebrew Israelites; however, he has no other known link to the
sentenced in New Jersey to federal prison for their respective roles in a tax black separatist ideology.
fraud conspiracy that used church money to pay for the leader’s personal
expenses. The two used a variety of methods to cover up the scheme to • On October 14, 2019, Larry Greene (aka Elijah Israel), a self-identified
take advantage of millions of dollars in donations, including claiming the Black Hebrew Israelite, assaulted two people as they were leaving a
leader earned his wealth through a fraudulent entertainment company. prayer service at a local synagogue in Miami. Greene was charged with
They were charged with concealing their earnings from the IRS and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon as he approached
failing to pay at least $250,000 in personal income taxes. the victims, threatening to kill them with a knife while yelling anti-
Semitic remarks. Greene referred to the victims as “fake Jews” and
• On December 10, 2019, David Anderson and Francine Graham killed claimed that he was “the real son of God.”
three people and injured three when they targeted a kosher grocery store
in Jersey City (Hudson County) shortly after killing a police detective
at a nearby cemetery. The shooters espoused anti-Semitic and anti-law
enforcement views prior to the attack, according to authorities. A review
of Anderson’s social media activity highlighted direct threats toward
these groups and support for the Black Hebrew Israelite ideology. This
ideology asserts that black people are the true descendants of the Israelites
and that the white and Jewish communities are the enemy, as well as law
enforcement who protect them.
Grafton Thomas stabbed Larry Greene assaulted
• The New Jersey NBPP last organized a rally in 2011, when it protested a five people at a rabbi’s congregants leaving a
National Socialist Movement gathering outside the State House in Trenton home in Monsey, synagogue in Miami.
(Mercer County). New Jersey NBPP members are known to attach New York.
themselves to other chapters during highly publicized racially divisive
incidents, including protests in Ferguson, Missouri; Sanford, Florida;
and Baltimore. The ICGJC is not known for violence, but some members
participate in criminal activity, particularly financial crimes they believe
are ordained by God to help members survive in a world dominated by
white people.
David Anderson and Francine Graham attacked
a kosher grocery store in Jersey City.
UNCLASSIFIED