Several Northside Iowa City residents received an old copy of Little Village magazine this week, held together by a sticker from a national neo-Nazi group.
The magazines, adorned with a National Alliance decal, have been used on numerous occasions over the past six years to spread white supremacist messages.
The stickers billed itself as a "health warning" to "white women and girls," citing U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data about HIV rates in straight Black men from 2010.
The sticker incorrectly depicts the rate of HIV transmission in straight Black men compared to straight white men, saying that HIV rates are "more than 19 times higher."
The 14-year-old CDC data shows a far smaller gap.
The sticker also cited the U.S. Census Bureau's Quick Facts page, though it was unclear why. That page directs readers to 2020 census data or current general bureau estimates about race, ethnicity and employment.
The sticker also directs residents to the National Alliance website and provides its eastern Tennessee mailing address.
According to the National Alliance "About" page, the organization requires all prospective members to be white, disparages interracial relationships and multiculturalism and advocates for the "Building of a New White World."
Iowa City police confirmed through a spokesperson that they have received multiple calls this week from Northside residents about the stickers. Officers are investigating.
The First Amendment often protects the mass distribution of flyers and stickers, the spokesperson added.
The police department did not say whether the use of the Little Village magazine warrants legal action.
More:Kyle Ricke convicted of murder in 2023 death of Algona police Officer Kevin Cram
The magazines, adorned with a National Alliance decal, have been used on numerous occasions over the past six years to spread white supremacist messages.
The stickers billed itself as a "health warning" to "white women and girls," citing U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data about HIV rates in straight Black men from 2010.
The sticker incorrectly depicts the rate of HIV transmission in straight Black men compared to straight white men, saying that HIV rates are "more than 19 times higher."
The 14-year-old CDC data shows a far smaller gap.
The sticker also cited the U.S. Census Bureau's Quick Facts page, though it was unclear why. That page directs readers to 2020 census data or current general bureau estimates about race, ethnicity and employment.
The sticker also directs residents to the National Alliance website and provides its eastern Tennessee mailing address.
According to the National Alliance "About" page, the organization requires all prospective members to be white, disparages interracial relationships and multiculturalism and advocates for the "Building of a New White World."
Iowa City police confirmed through a spokesperson that they have received multiple calls this week from Northside residents about the stickers. Officers are investigating.
The First Amendment often protects the mass distribution of flyers and stickers, the spokesperson added.
The police department did not say whether the use of the Little Village magazine warrants legal action.
More:Kyle Ricke convicted of murder in 2023 death of Algona police Officer Kevin Cram
Little Village denies connection to National Alliance
Little Village quickly clarified that "it should go without saying" that the magazine has no affiliation with the group beyond relevant reporting. Little Village News Director Paul Brennan said in a column Wednesday, July 10 that the stickers are intended to "stoke fears of Black men" and bill it as a "health warning."
Neo-Nazi group uses copies of Little Village magazine to distribute sticker in Iowa City
Some Northside residents were greeted by an old copy of Little Village magazine this week, wrapped up by a neo-Nazi group sticker.
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