The Justice Report is a reader supported publication. Support our work by becoming a paid subscriber or making a one-time donation.
Hudson, Massachusetts – A local restaurant was forced to temporally close after they faced a harassment campaign online for serving a group that included two historical reenactors in German World War II era uniforms.
Despite issuing a public apology, the restaurant was forced to close for a day, citing “increased harassment and threats” following extensive coverage by mainstream media.
On October 12, a group of “living historians” purchased a meal from the local restaurant Kith and Kin after a WWII reenactment nearby.
Two of those reenactors are alleged to have been dressed as members of the German paramilitary organization, the Schutzstaffel (SS) with SS bolts on their collar patches.
The restaurant immediately faced backlash online for serving them and was forced to apologize.
“On a busy Saturday night,” Kith and Kin owners told WHDH, “the SS letters on a few of their collars were missed by our staff. We deeply apologize for not recognizing the exact nature of the uniforms upon their arrival, and in effect, making others uncomfortable.”
Kith and Kin would go further on Facebook saying “Even though we knew they were living historians at a time when acts of anti-Semitic violence continue to rise, we should have realized other diners might not be aware of the local WWII re-enactment.”
While vague, Kith and Kin’s claims about antisemitic violence appear to be referencing widespread international outcry over Israel’s year-long campaign in Gaza which has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, most woman and children.
Despite issuing a public apology, the restaurant experienced escalating harassment and threats after widespread news coverage, forcing them to close for the entire day on Tuesday due to safety concerns.
“After last night’s news airings,” Kith and Kin claimed, “our restaurant has been the target of increased harassment and threats. Therefore, for the safety of our staff, we will unfortunately be closed today, October 15.”
After closing down on October 15, Kith and Kin has now reopened.
Gary Lewi, an American Heritage Museum trustee told WHDH in Boston that wearing the historical uniforms in public is not allowed, and also apologized.
“When you take World War II German uniforms out of the context of where they’re supposed to be presented to help tell a story,” Lewi said to WHDH, “and you put them into a public environment like a restaurant, yeah, eyebrows will be raised and justifiably so.”
Through an investigation of Lewi’s social media, the Justice Report learned that Lewi is Jewish. A 2020 Facebook post by Lewi commemorated the 1943 Warsaw ghetto uprising as a religious family custom.
“I invoke this [the uprising] at every Seder just as my father did,” Lewi said.
Since at least 1987, Lewi has also acted as an occasional spokesperson for rabid Zionist billionaire Ron Lauder, the son of the famed Joseph and Estée Lauder.
Lauder, who has described himself as “the world’s most assimilated Jew,” was the former Ambassador to Austria under President Ronald Reagan and also worked in his Defense Department.
Although not directly quoted, WHDH reported that Lewi stated the museum’s policy prohibits costumes with swastikas or SS symbols on their property even though the use of ‘Nazi’ imagery in America is legally unrestricted in most jurisdictions, including Hudson, Massachusetts.
Going forward, the American Heritage Museum told WHDH they would make sure every historical reenactor was aware of the proper protocols surrounding their costumes.
While the media expressed outrage over the restaurant serving reenactors in SS uniforms, locals on Facebook had a different reaction with the majority not viewing the ‘offense’ as worthy of being addressed or picked up by the media.
“While they should [have] changed out of [their] uniforms/costumes before going out to dinner,” said Janeen Ramsdell to Kith and Kin, “the fact that 8 people were dressed in various different outfits from that era should [have] tipped people off that a reenactment or a film etc. was or had taken place. You having to apologize [for] what’s wrong with this country. You did nothing wrong.”
Another local appears to believe that efforts to erase history were in progress and that the symbols were benign.
“You can’t make history go away,” said Facebook user and local, Lorraine, “It takes a lot of courage to wear those costumes to reenact history. I wouldn’t have been scared to see people in costumes reenacting history. Someone actually hassled the waitstaff about other patrons? Please ask anyone who comes in wearing a Halloween costume on Oct 31st to change before they come in to patronize this business also [thanks in advance].”
The media often likes to sensationalize stories related to World War II or National Socialism to reinforce the mainstream anti-Nazi consensus.
Earlier this week international media gloated over the death of a German nationalist during a hike near Hitler’s renowned Eagle’s Nest retreat.
Have a story? Please forward any tips or leads to the editors at [email protected]
