The 1979 Philadelphia "Nazi Rally" Incident

Investigative journalism from the era, including reports on Levy's JDL role, supports elements of the story, though ADL histories omit it, while alternative outlets like Bitchute frame it as proof of fabricated threats for financial gain.

1990s TV news clip describing a 1979 Philadelphia incident where Mordechai Levy, a Jewish Defense League activist with reported ADL ties, allegedly used the alias "James Gutman" to obtain a permit for a staged Nazi march aimed at amplifying antisemitism fears to boost fundraising.

Posted November 28, 2025, the clip has sparked 86 replies echoing themes of "controlled opposition," with users drawing parallels to modern activism and institutional funding tactics, amassing 67,000 views in two days.

Overview of the 1979 Philadelphia "Nazi Rally" Incident

 The incident in question refers to a short-lived controversy in February 1979 surrounding a proposed "white power rally" by a supposed Nazi group at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. What began as a seemingly legitimate permit application for a neo-Nazi demonstration quickly unraveled as a potential hoax, with suspicions pointing to Mordechai Levy (also known as Mark Levy), a Jewish militant activist affiliated with the Jewish Defense League (JDL) and alleged ties to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The event was framed by critics as a staged provocation to heighten fears of antisemitism, potentially to bolster fundraising and support for Jewish advocacy groups. Mainstream media at the time reported it as a suspicious fabrication, while later alternative narratives portray it as deliberate entrapment by the ADL. No rally occurred, and the permit was revoked before the planned date. Key Players Mordechai Levy (aka Mark Levy or James Gutman): A New York-based activist and JDL member in 1979, Levy was known for his militant tactics against perceived antisemites. He later founded the Jewish Defense Organization (JDO) in the early 1980s after a violent split with JDL leader Irv Rubin. Levy had a history of using aliases and was involved in other high-profile clashes, including providing information on the 1979 Greensboro massacre (where neo-Nazis and Klansmen killed five anti-Klan protesters). 

 In this incident, he allegedly posed as "James Gutman" to secure the permit.

Michael Guttman: A real New York student whose stolen identification (passport and student ID) was reportedly used by Levy. Guttman confirmed to police that his documents had been lost two years prior. 

Frank Collin: Leader of the Chicago-based National Socialist Party of America (NSPA), a real neo-Nazi group that gained notoriety for attempting a 1978 march in Skokie, Illinois. The permit application named Collin as the rally organizer, but he later denied any involvement or knowledge of "James Gutman" or a Philadelphia Nazi chapter. 

Anti-Defamation League (ADL): Accused in alternative sources (e.g., LaRouche publications and online videos) of employing Levy as a paid informant in its Fact-Finding Division under Irwin Suall to stage such events for fundraising. The ADL's official histories do not mention this incident, and mainstream reports do not confirm direct involvement. 

Jewish Defense League (JDL): Levy's primary affiliation at the time; the group was known for aggressive anti-Nazi actions, including fire bombings and assaults in the 1970s. 

Timeline of Events Date

February 16, 1979

An individual identifying as "James Gutman," representing the "National Socialist Party of America" (NSPA), submits a permit application to the National Park Service for a rally at Independence Hall. The application describes a "white power rally" for "100" participants, with inflammatory language: "to show white masses unity of the white race, and to show the world niggers and Jews are cowards." The applicant lists a P.O. Box as the address and provides stolen ID belonging to Michael Guttman. 

February 20–22, 1979

The permit is initially granted, sparking outrage. The City of Philadelphia, Association for Jewish New Americans (a Holocaust survivors' group), and Birthright Israel file for a federal restraining order. Jewish War Veterans and the Philadelphia Jewish Community Relations Council plan counter-demonstrations. Frank Collin denies involvement, stating he has "never heard of Guttman" and that no NSPA chapter exists in Philadelphia. 

February 23, 1979

Philadelphia Police Sgt. Francis Corbett travels to New York, interviews Michael Guttman, and learns his ID was stolen. Records link the ID's details (phone number and address) to a prior arrest of Mordechai Levy in New York. Court testimony suggests the permit was obtained fraudulently. 

February 24, 1979

U.S. District Judge Clifford Green revokes the permit during a hearing, citing the hoax suspicions. No rally proceeds on the planned date of February 25. 

Investigation and Revelations Immediate Probe: Police quickly connected "James Gutman" to Levy via the stolen ID. Levy, a known JDL activist, had used similar tactics in other infiltrations. New York State Police confirmed Levy's prior use of Guttman's contact info during an arrest. 

 No actual Nazi participants materialized, confirming the fabrication.

Levy's Denials and Broader Context: Levy was not formally charged in this specific case, but the incident fit his pattern of aggressive activism. In 1979, he also provided an affidavit in the Greensboro massacre trials, alleging FBI foreknowledge of neo-Nazi plans—ironically positioning him as an anti-extremist informant. 

 Later claims (e.g., in 1990s news clips and LaRouche reports) assert Levy was an ADL operative staging rallies to "incite Nazi activity" for publicity and funds. 

 These remain unverified by mainstream sources and are dismissed by the ADL as conspiracy theories.

No Rally, Minimal Aftermath: The revocation ended the immediate threat, but it fueled local tensions. No injuries or arrests occurred from the planned event itself. Levy continued his activism, leading to later convictions (e.g., 1989 shooting at Irv Rubin, for which he served 18 months). 

Controversies and Interpretations Hoax for Fundraising?: Alternative media (e.g., Bitchute videos recirculating 1990s clips) claim the ADL used Levy to fabricate threats, exploiting post-Holocaust fears to justify its budget. The permit's racist rhetoric was seen as a ploy to provoke outrage and donations. 

 LaRouche publications explicitly call it "ADL provocateurs at work." 

Mainstream View: Outlets like The New York Times and Jewish Telegraphic Agency treated it as a bizarre fraud, possibly by an individual agitator, without endorsing ADL involvement. 

 The ADL, which monitors extremism, has labeled Levy's JDO a "hate group" in later years, distancing itself. 

Modern Echoes: The story resurfaced in 2025 X posts (e.g., linking it to ADL credibility amid unrelated controversies), with users calling it "controlled opposition" to discredit Jewish advocacy. 

 It parallels broader debates on "false flag" operations in extremism monitoring.

This incident highlights the volatile activism of 1970s Jewish militant groups amid rising neo-Nazi visibility (e.g., Skokie). While substantiated as a hoax, claims of institutional orchestration remain speculative and partisan.

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@1TheBrutalTruth1 Nov. 2025 Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976: Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research.