Forty years ago, Tom Martinez, who died this week, was arrested in his Kensington home and charged with abetting counterfeit money laundering for one of the most violent and sophisticated hate groups in its time. Not long afterwards, he showed up at my office, when I served as Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League, asking to speak with me.
His connection to the neo-Nazi white supremacist group, The Order, and his hulking and intimidating appearance caused me to freeze momentarily, not knowing what to expect.
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The Order, prominent in the 1980s, was a neo-Nazi group led by the charismatic Robert Matthews. Viewing Blacks as “mud people” and Jews as the seed of the devil, it planned to establish a haven for whites in the Northwest. As a means to that end, it ruthlessly engaged in bank and armored-truck robberies netting millions of dollars, counterfeiting and assassination.
Not knowing if Martinez was on a mission to do good or evil, I decided to meet with him. It turned out to be a very good decision. In the years following his visit to my office, Martinez led a truly inspiring life marked by courage, grit and selflessness.
As it turned out, this menacing-looking felon came to see me to ask for forgiveness and to seek to make amends for his transgressions. In hindsight, he admirably accomplished both and much more.
Martinez constantly lived with the threat of danger to himself and his family.
Faced with a death threat from young Black men in his violence-filled high school, scorned by his father, struggling to make ends meet to support his teenage wife and the couple’s daughter, Martinez gravitated to hate, first joining the Klu Klux Klan, and eventually, The Order. Martinez’s story is ably captured in Brotherhood of Murder which he co-authored with John Guinther, and a movie by the same title.
Eventually, Martinez began to rethink his ideas that fed on hatred and became disenchanted with The Order. He turned against his former comrades and cooperated with law enforcement. As a result, The Order was broken up, its members convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms, and Robert Matthews died in a dramatic battle with law enforcement.
The price for doing this was heavy. Before his death, Matthews called on his followers to assassinate Martinez; thinking this had been accomplished, an Order loyalist gave a $1,000 reward to an undercover FBI agent for a doctored photo of a decapitated Martinez. Martinez constantly lived with the threat of danger to himself and his family.
As it turned out, this menacing-looking felon came to see me to ask for forgiveness and to seek to make amends for his transgressions. In hindsight, he admirably accomplished both and much more.
Over many years, with guidance from, and in partnership with, the ADL, Martinez travelled the country. He briefed law enforcement agencies, addressed students and multiple audiences, conducted media interviews, lectured at seminars, met with academics and others studying and seeking to develop strategies and practices to counter hate. He also provided support to families struggling with a child drawn to hate and counseled others trying to put their association with a hate group behind them.
Martinez did all of this and more despite the specter of vengeance of racist extremists hanging over him. He did this tirelessly and with passion and dedication. Yes, he was driven to clear his name and soothe his conscience. But he also did it because it became his cause; his mission to sound an alarm and to educate about the damage of hate and its threat to individuals, families and society. He enlightened us and showed how young people can go astray, but also how those we write off can exhibit great qualities, live good lives and make important contributions.
He also became my friend. I have been enriched by knowing him and will treasure his memory.
Barry Morrison was regional director for the Anti-Defamation League for 20 years.
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