San Francisco’s Frederick Roeber flies Nazi flag to ‘make a social comment’ Trump, offends neighbors
A California man flew a Nazi flag at his home as a political statement “against” Donald Trump, causing outrage and making headlines. Frederick Roeber of San Francisco’s Dolores Heights claimed the move was to “make a social comment” on President-elect Donald Trump.
Roeber, 48, may have realized his move was misguided as neighbors spotted the swastika and immediately confronted him in the street outside the house. The video confrontation made the news, locally and nationally as rumored “hate crimes” and “protests” surged in the wake of Trump’s win.
The man tried to explain to his neighbor, Francine Miller, that the Nazi flag “was a comment on our new President-elect,” comparing Trump to Il Duce (Benito Mussolini), the fascist leader of Italy during World War II — but that “Italians did not have a good flag” to represent the country.
Miller, who said her grandparents survived the Holocaust, lives across the street from Roeber.
“I could see where you are coming from, but that is the wrong impression because it makes it seem like you’re supportive of Nazis,” Miller fired back. “I don’t think it’s funny.”
Roeber told the San Francisco Chronicle that he disagreed with Trump’s comments about Mexicans and Muslims.
“I’m hoping people get that this is a political statement, and that I’m not a Nazi supporter,” he said. “I’m a little afraid that neighbors will get the wrong idea.”