Rival Skinhead Clans Declare Truce

Hammerskin Nation and the Vinlander Social Club — America's two largest coalitions of racist skinhead gangs — have negotiated a truce ending a three-year feud, according to a remarkable declaration published in September by Vinlanders co-founder and Hoosier State Skinheads leader Brien James.

"I salute the people on both sides who had the courage to initiate this peace, and the people who had the maturity to look past our egos and our grudges," James stated on the Vinlanders' website. "We will die fighting together for self-determination and self-respect in a world that has turned its back on natural law and common sense."

James and Eric "The Butcher" Fairburn formed the Vinlander Social Club in 2004 as a direct challenge to the authority of Hammerskin Nation (HSN), a nationwide racist skinhead syndicate that has asserted dominion over racist U.S. skins since 1988. HSN's power has waned in recent years as growing numbers of local skinhead "crews" have declared allegiance to the Vinlanders.

James offered no detailed explanation for the abruptly announced ceasefire. "Vinlanders and the Hammerskin Nation have been conducting meetings and parties on both sides have decided to declare peace," he wrote. "Nothing official has been written up and signed, and we all understand that there may be individuals that will feel they still have grievances they can't let go. These people may choose to handle these problems as individuals, but as far as the 'crew war' or 'gang war' that has brought our enemies so much pleasure all these years, it is over."