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The American Nazi Party was founded in Arlington, Virginia by George Rockwell in 1958. The group was headquartered out of Arlington's Ballston neighborhood. The Arlington chapter had 50 to 60 members active in the late-1950s and early-1960s. From this headquarters the group organized protests, demonstrations, and political activities. In this photograph, Nazis sit on the front porch of their offices on Randolph Street, purchased for them by Floyd Fleming.

The American Nazi Party was founded in Arlington County by George Rockwell in 1958. The Arlington chapter of the American Nazi Party had 50 to 60 members active in the late-1950s and early-1960s. Most of these members lived together in a late-Victorian home they used as a barracks on Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon. Local sympathizers not directly affiliated with the group showed their support by bringing the men food to this home during the winter. While some residents complained of the “sieg heil” salutes given by their new neighbors in greeting, the Nazis did not actually break any community or county laws. Many came to call this property "Hatemonger Hill."

On June 23, 1960, after two weeks of coordinated sit-in efforts across the county, leaders from the Non-Violent Action Group (NAG) enjoy cups of coffee at the Drug Fair. The company announced the day before that it would integrate its lunch counters in the Washington area. Within weeks more restaurants and lunch counters in Arlington desegregated their services as a result of the sit-ins.

Those pictured include Dion Diamond (corner seat),Laurence Henry (far right), and Paul Dietrich (second from left).

Non-Violent Action Group (NAG) activists Dion T. Diamond (left) and Laurence Henry are arrested by Arlington Police Sergeant Roy G. Lockey (left) and Lt. Ernest A. Summers. The two were arrested while demonstrating at the Howard Johnson's restaurant in Arlington.

This scene was a part of a coordinated sit-in movement which occurred across several Arlington lunch counters in June of 1960 to protest segregated accommodations. These demonstrations ultimately led to the integration of restaurants in Arlington. But unfortunately this did not end racism. African American resident Princeton Simms recalled that despite integration proprietors would “pick up the plate and throw it in the trash” after they were used by black patrons. This kind of outward hostility meant many black customers continued to prefer to patronize black owned restaurants despite integration.

Gwendolyn Greene (later Britt) sits at the People's Drug Store Counter in Arlington Virginia. When she sat down to request service the workers left the store, only returning once management closed the counter.

This scene was a part of a coordinated sit-in movement which occurred across several Arlington lunch counters in June of 1960 to protest Arlington's segregated accommodations.

Non-Violent Action Group (NAG) activist Dion Diamond is harassed by young white men during a sit in at the Cherrydale Drug Fair in June of 1960.

This scene was a part of a coordinated sit-in movement which occurred across several Arlington lunch counters in June of 1960. to protest segregated accommodation.

Non-Violent Action Group (NAG) activist Dion Diamond sits calmly as American Nazi Party Chief George Lincoln Rockwell attacks him with racist remarks. A crowd of white men and boys surrounds the pair.

This scene was a part of a coordinated sit-in movement which occurred across several Arlington lunch counters in June of 1960. Here, Diamond is at the Cherrydale Drug Fair sit-in location.