Nazi Demonstrators Harass Community Theatre Production of "The Diary of Anne Frank"

by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

CW: The following article contains hate speech and anti semitic imagery.

There are reports coming out of Michigan where a group of demonstrators carrying Nazi flags appeared Saturday night outside a community theater performance of the "The Diary of Anne Frank".

The incident happened in Howell, MI at an American Legion Hall where the Fowlerville Community Theatre was performing the show. According to reports, about 10 people were part of the pro-Nazi group that showed up in the legion's parking lot at about 7:30 p.m. and eventually moved across the street.

Bobby Brite, past commander of the American Legion Devereaux Post 141, recorded video of the demonstrators.

(Photo: Bobby Brite)

At one point, they were chanting "Anne Frank was a whore.”

"The Diary of Anne Frank" is a poignant play that brings to life the real-life journal of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl hiding with her family in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam during World War II. The play explores themes of hope, fear, resilience, and the human spirit, even in the darkest of times.

Theatre officials released the following statement:

The incident came after the Anti-Defamation League reported a rise in antisemitic incidents in Michigan between 2022 and 2023. In 2023, there were 267 total incidents, including 230 instances of harassment, 35 of vandalism and two assaults, following 111 incidents a year earlier that included 93 instances of harassment, 17 of vandalism and one assault.

"We are disgusted by the far-right extremists who praised Hitler and waved Nazi flags outside of an American Legion hosting the play 'The Diary of Anne Frank,' and we stand with American Legion 141 and @HowellTownship who know that hate doesn't belong in their community," the ADL Michigan said in a statement on X.

Thankfully, the cast was able to perform the show that evening and performed it the next day as well.

Demonstrations like these are appalling and dishonor the memory of Anne Frank and millions of others who suffered under Nazi tyranny. Such protests are not only an affront to history but also to the values of compassion, diversity, and human dignity.

This play serves as a vital reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unspeakable cruelty.