The Virginia State Senate overwhelmingly approved this weekend a bill to revoke the State Charter of George Rockwell’s American Nazi Party. The measure went through the upper chamber with no debate. The bill was identical with the one passed last week by the House of Delegates which bars the use of the words “Nazi” or “National Socialist” in the charter name of any group.
Its effect would not necessarily put an end to Rockwell’s activities, however, since it leaves open the possibility that Rockwell can apply for a new charter under a different name.
The measure now goes back to the House of Delegates for engrossing prior to being passed on to Gov. Albertis Harrison for signature. Once in effect, the measure would empower state authorities to take legal steps leading for formal revocation of the present charter. A House-passed resolution condemning the Rockwell group as “an enemy of the people of Virginia and the United States” has not yet been acted upon by the Senate.
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