Identity Evropa was established in March 2016, and although its leadership has shifted several times, it has members all over the country and has been relatively successful in recruiting white, non-Semitic college students. Identity Evropa Press Secretary Jesse Myers told the Mountaineer he believes there is likely at least one member of the organization at every public university in the country.

“Most of our members are college students,” he said.

Myers, who confirmed that Identity Evropa members posted the flyers, said the goal of the posters was to “reinforce European values for Christmas.”

“Identity Evropa is for people of European heritage,” he added, also saying that the group feels strongest about issues such as immigration and globalism.

Although Myers didn’t know for sure, he did say he thought the appearance of the posters during the Christmas parade could have had something to do with a recently proposed town ordinance which looks to ban the Confederate flag from town functions, including parades.

“I’m sure the activists are aware of the Confederate flag issue … but ultimately this was local activists trying to get more involved,” he said.

Canton Police Chief Bryan Whitner said the placement of the posters is illegal.

“There is a state law that you can’t attach any type of poster on a telephone pole,” he said. “There’s a town ordinance like that, too.”

Although Whitner said his department usually opts to issue warnings for those who hang up flyers for yard sales, events, and etc., if they could prove beyond a reasonable doubt which individual or individuals placed them, there would be charges. But that might be easier said than done.

“I don’t think there are any cameras downtown that would have caught that,” he said.

Myers wouldn’t say who put up the posters or where they were based out of, saying he thought activists could be at risk of harassment from members of the far-left group ANTIFA, on college campuses.

Thursday’s display in Canton isn’t the first time Identity Evropa has made its presence known in the region. On Aug. 21 of this year, a banner reading “A new dawn is breaking, rise and get active, Identity Evropa” was hung from a pedestrian walkway at Appalachian State University in Boone, and as recently as Dec. 5, the group has been active from California to Georgia.

Smathers took a hard line against Identity Evropa, saying they will not be successful in Papertown.

“I’m not going to let the actions of a hate group deter us from our positive agenda,” he said. “The decency of Canton’s people, churches, and businesses are greater than this group’s attempt to divide us.”