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James Costello #racist #fundie #wingnut #psycho liverpoolecho.co.uk

A delivery driver lived a double life as the worldwide leader of a racist church which called for a "holy race war"

James Costello was identified as the self-styled "high priest" of the Creativity Movement, which "unashamedly promoted white supremacy and neo-Nazi ideology" and boasted an army of "fanatics capable of very serious and deadly violence". The city's top judge today described him as an "enthusiastic evangelist" for the group's propaganda, which he distributed online and was "dripping with hate"

A trial at Liverpool Crown Court heard that the 38-year-old, of Old Rough Lane in Kirkby, posted written materials and audiobooks, which he personally narrated, for download on creativitymovement.net - a website which he "controlled and managed"[…]
The e-books and audio files sought a "racial holy war". One - entitled RAHOWA, an abbreviation of "racial holy war" - stated that "RAHOWA is inevitable" and "the ultimate and only solution"

Police raided Costello's home in August 2021 after receiving numerous complaints when stickers "promoting" the group's activities were left in public places around Merseyside over the previous months. They seized flags and banners bearing its messages from his house after linking him to the website's IP address

Officers also found a roll of stickers matching those posted on lampposts in the area bearing the domain, which has since been taken down, as well as others containing an email address connected to the defendant. Their search uncovered Creativity Movement "postcards" and leaflets with titles such as "Mobilize Nature's Finest" and "Become a White Racial Loyalist"[…]
He was referred to as both "Reverend Costello" and "Pontifex Maximus", or high priest, of the organisation[…]
Costello was found guilty of 19 counts of stirring up racial hatred by publishing materials. He was jailed for five years

Right wing protestors #conspiracy #wingnut liverpoolecho.co.uk

Even those of us who are paid to write about politics, a city council committee meeting is not always the most exciting affair.

But that was not the case on Wednesday evening, when an innocuous-looking agenda at Liverpool Council's Neighbourhoods Committee was made considerably spicier by a group who turned up to protest about all manner of things.

Scenes outside the town hall suggested the group's focus was a little confused. One man held a placard proclaiming that 'globalists fund climate scientists for climate hoax or they get defunded' while another chap was intent on 'restoring common law' - whatever that means.

While there was a smorgasbord of the more classic conspiracy theories being touted outside the town hall, it eventually became clear that there was one key concern being raised by those gathering in Castle Street - although they were also pretty confused about this element as well.

The demonstrators were keen to voice (with increasing volume) their concerns about a concept called 15-minute cities - an issue that has become more and more pressing for those living on the more conspiratorial side of life in recent times.

Put simply, the 15-minute city is an urban planning idea in which the majority of a person's daily necessities and services - including work, leisure, retail, health and education - can be comfortably reached via a 15-minute walk or bike ride. The idea has its roots in history but has gained prominence in recent years as one method to combat issues around climate change and air quality as it could get more people out of their cars.

Leaflets handed out by the protesters at the town hall on Wednesday warned: "Do you drive to work, school or college? Choose to educate your children in a different area to where you live?" It continued: "Maybe you enjoy days out? Road trips or adventures to new places?" before suggesting that all these normal activities could be put at risk by a 15-minute city.

Anonymous Abuser #fundie liverpoolecho.co.uk

Liverpool’s Labour MP for Wavertree Luciana Berger has called in police after receiving sickening antisemitic death threats including one allegedly stating: “You are going to get it like Jo Cox did.”

The vile threats - which were sent online along with a photograph of a large kitchen knife - are also said to have made reference to her religious faith with one message warning her: “You better watch your back Jewish scum.”

Police have arrested a man who allegedly sent the email threats on Monday.