Neighbor put up a “Deus Vult” flag. Feeling unsettled and unsure how to respond

[u/fzahraal]

Our next door neighbor just put up this flag facing our home It says “Deus Vult” with a red crusader-style cross.

For anyone unfamiliar, “Deus Vult” is a medieval crusader slogan that in modern times has been widely adopted by far-right and anti-Muslim groups. I’m Muslim, and seeing this displayed so prominently feels hostile and intimidating, especially given how this phrase is commonly used today.

I understand free speech laws, but I’m trying to figure out where the line is between protected expression and something that reasonably makes neighbors feel targeted or unsafe.

What makes this especially upsetting is that our household has never caused any issues. We’ve lived here for over a decade without a single complaint or disturbance. We’re a quiet, working household. Our household includes a final year medical student, and another member works in social services as well as a high school student. We contribute to the community, keep to ourselves, and have always been respectful neighbors.

[u/BZBitiko]

Leave him alone.

Don’t shovel his sidewalk, don’t chase his trash can on windy days. Just don’t acknowledge his existence.

Let’s hope it all catches up with him.

[u/antrodeperdicion → u/BZBitiko]

And install cameras in your property

[u/TheSwanPanky → u/antrodeperdicion]

Definitely this! Be inconspicuous and try to do it when you know the neighbor isn’t home.

[u/edtb → u/TheSwanPanky]

Wired cameras. No more wireless.

[u/Zymph616 → u/edtb]

OK, I'll bite. Why "No more wireless"?

[u/Orc360 → u/Zymph616]

I'm assuming they're referring to the fact that footage from pretty much all cloud-based home security systems ends up in the hands of private companies & government agencies (often working together). 

As a quick example, check out the "Privacy concerns and potential misuse" section on Flock Security's Wikipedia page.

[u/discographyA → u/Orc360]

No, it’s because they are easily jammed.

[u/MaterialDetective197 → u/discographyA]

Not everyone has watched that scene from Spaceballs.

[u/Academicaread → u/MaterialDetective197]

Raspberry or Grape?

[u/ThrasherDX → u/Academicaread]

Only one man would dare give me the Raspberry!

[u/edtb → u/Zymph616]

They're easily jammed. It's getting more common.

[u/Time-Strawberry-7692 → u/TheSwanPanky]

I’d be conspicuous. Give him one or two that are obvious and two or three that aren’t, with overlapping views.

[u/artificialidentity3 → u/TheSwanPanky]

I like your gist, but keep in mind, if your goal is to not be seen, be aware that they may already have cameras up and see what you are installing anyway…

[u/mkat23 → u/artificialidentity3]

Cause a power surge, then put up the cameras while his are down. Easy! /s

[u/Cold-Crab74 → u/antrodeperdicion]

With a view of his to catch whenever he does something because he will

[u/OkDecision1612 → u/antrodeperdicion]

Ring cameras are pretty simple and keep some footage

[u/YoloPudding → u/OkDecision1612]

Many other options available without a subscription like Ring.

[u/arbyyyyh → u/YoloPudding]

And also that don’t provide your footage to law enforcement without a warrant.

[u/AntiAuth9x7 → u/arbyyyyh]

100%

This weekend I uninstalled my Ring doorbell and floodlight cameras and replaced them with Eufy equivalents (better actually). Easy and clean. No more subscription, no more cloud garbage, no more Ring feeding my recordings to ICE.

Fuck the Nazis, fuck the companies that don’t resist fascism, fuck Ring.

[u/hxtk3 → u/AntiAuth9x7]

It's been ~4 years since the scandal but Eufy doesn't have the best track record for protecting user privacy either. I'd go Ubiquiti personally but I'm an IT professional and I'm a poor judge of whether it's easy enough for the average consumer to set up.

[u/oak_and_tonic → u/AntiAuth9x7]

Eufy FTW

[u/Penis_stigmatism → u/AntiAuth9x7]

Good job! We all need to fight against this massive government surveillance. I'm convinced it's virtually impossible to ever have a revolution in America now. Phones ama millions of cameras would kill it before more than a few people ever got organized.

[u/remarkablewhitebored → u/Penis_stigmatism]

That's what they hope you think. Authoritarianism is so fucking brittle.

[u/Tallproley → u/Penis_stigmatism]

My dude you sould be surprised what revolutionaries can do wheb the surveillance state is poorly managed and leadership is lacking.

[u/ktbug1987 → u/AntiAuth9x7]

I’m entering intensive chemotherapy / stem cell treatment and my spouse got me a eufy camera to watch / talk to the cats because she said a lot of other camera companies that market for pet footage would be extra creepy to have in our house. Since it’s inside I don’t worry about having the storage local. I don’t really need to keep it for long either just if I miss them and they haven’t entered the one room in a while.

[u/dontkillmyvibe77 → u/ktbug1987]

Wishing you a speedy recovery and best of luck.

[u/AntiAuth9x7 → u/ktbug1987]

She’s right and that is a clever setup! Nice work.

All the best with your treatment.

[u/dfsb2021 → u/YoloPudding]

I like Eufy. No subscription required and saved on a local storage unit.

[u/catdad → u/YoloPudding]

Do you have recommendations? We use Blink, and I hate it.

[u/YoloPudding → u/catdad]

Seems like Eufy is popular.

[u/Tarphiker → u/OkDecision1612]

Ring cameras have the ability to be accessed by law enforcement without your consent. Find a LAN system.

[u/fzahraal → u/BZBitiko]

I feel bad that I actually picked up his trash can from the road after heavy winds several times.

[u/MutantMartian → u/fzahraal]

Don’t feel bad. If you had never done it he wouldn’t be able to miss your good deeds.

[u/Alicenow52 → u/MutantMartian]

Good point

[u/Hesitation-Marx → u/fzahraal]

It’s really a pity that that house is full of racist ghosts.

Can’t see ‘em. Can’t hear ‘em. Can’t watch their trash cans roll away.

[u/pocketjacks → u/Hesitation-Marx]

They are the grey rock.

[u/flummoxed_penguin → u/fzahraal]

Don’t feel bad. You were being a decent human. But now that he’s shown his true colors, fuck him.

Btw I know it’s a sketchy subject with some people but being armed isn’t a bad idea now a days. Even just a Maverick 12g if shit goes south gave me some peace of mind.

[u/fzahraal → u/flummoxed_penguin]

Legally armed and ready to protect ourselves !

[u/GeneralJavaholic → u/fzahraal]

Don't let them know, though.

[u/Pretty-Balance-Sheet → u/fzahraal]

I live in a townhouse and my neighbor's door is about 5' from my front door. I hung up a pride flag on the other side of my house and she hung a trump train flag from her balcony not facing the street but facing my front door.

Her boyfriend started using my tiny driveway to parallel park his super duty truck in her driveway. I asked him to stop. He didn't. So I started parking my car in my driveway. He'd wait until I left then hurry and park his truck.

They leave a ton of dog shit in their tiny front yard. We live across the street from a dog park with a poop disposal visible from their front door.

They're living breathing stereotypes. 16 year old daughter dropped out of highschool and now does jack shit. Living in a house Grandma bought because no one wants to work.

I didn't confront the boyfriend again because I knew she changed boyfriends more often than she does laundry and sure enough a month later there no super duty truck in sight.

We used to call these people white trash. I propose we call them Trump Trash.

[u/allcretansareliars → u/Pretty-Balance-Sheet]

Upvote for "Trump Trash"

[u/fzahraal → u/Pretty-Balance-Sheet]

I am so sorry; it seems that these people are just miserable. Hang in there, and most importantly please be safe.

[u/Molto_Ritardando → u/Pretty-Balance-Sheet]

Dog shitting in your yard? When you cook bacon, use the leftover grease to sprinkle it on top of the dogshit. You won’t have to clean it up anymore and with any luck the dog will barf it all up when he gets home.

[u/royblair → u/Pretty-Balance-Sheet]

That’s a good name for them.

[u/NotSoFastLady → u/fzahraal]

Don't feel bad for being a good human being. Hateful people have no answers for kindness but negativity does reinforce their ignorance and hate. I watched a very powerful interview done in Business Insider's YouTube channel with a man who was a former skinhead. He's has since dedicated his life to fighting the very thing he helped foster. It was extremely powerful and moving.

I can't say I remember all of the takeaways from that interview. I do remember how he discussed that all of these "awful" people he hated, were always nice to him despite his hateful views towards them. It basically started to form cracks in his belief system which eventually led to him realizing he'd been living one big lie.

I don't understand what is driving anti-muslim sentiment these days. It seems like there is a much wider effort on the part of large and powerful entities to advance a narrative that just isn't true. Not really sure what the end goal is here but I don't have a darn clue what the hell is going on in the world today. I just know showing more compassion to others can't hurt.

A neighbor like this though. Who could blame you for shying away from them.

[u/NikkiMcGeeks → u/NotSoFastLady]

A nation divided cannot stand united. It’s all manufactured division orchestrated by media companies, which are owned by the people who really have all the power.

Watch the documentary ‘The Social Dilema’ and it will all make a bit more sense

[u/fzahraal → u/NikkiMcGeeks]

Unfortunately, what happened to indivisible, one nation, for liberty and justice for ALL. I blame social media and foreign bots trying to bring down this country through inciting hate and division.

[u/Nicks_Here_to_Talk → u/fzahraal]

Right Wing media has been at this for decades... basically ever since Reagan, but the Nixon administration was the catalyst. Then you had guys like Gingrich and Limbaugh aggressively fostering division all the way through the 80s and 90s, abetted by Fox News and then Sinclair.

This isn't a social media or foreign actor thing; social media just exacerbated the conditions that Conservatives have been cultivating for decades.

[u/Sylsfear → u/NikkiMcGeeks]

People need to stop with this crap statement. Racists are very real. They're not made up by the media. Many of them are in my own family....extended family.

And stop watching all this bs conspiracy theory garbage. That's why everything is so messed up to begin with.

[u/NikkiMcGeeks → u/Sylsfear]

I never said that racists were not real??? Both things can be true at the same time, ya know.

And the Social Dilema is not ‘conspiracy theory garbage’. It’s a documentary comprised of whistle blowers and others who have left social media companies (due to moral conflicts) because of the way these companies are weaponizing algorithms against society for profit. If you think that is ‘conspiracy theory garbage’ then you probably have never a) worked in corporate America or b) do not understand technology/machine learning

[u/Debalic → u/fzahraal]

That trash can wants to roam free, I say let it go.

[u/MontrealInTexas → u/Debalic]

The trash can yearns for a better life.

[u/Sea-Oven-7560 → u/fzahraal]

A few years back I was at a restaurant and I had a direct view to the outside and outside there was a car with their sunroof open. Well the sky opened up and started pouring, I did the right thing and borrowed some cardboard and a plastic bag and went out in the pouring rain and covered up the sunroof so the car wouldn't get flooded out. About an hour later some guy comes in and asks who saved his car and everyone points to me. So very loudly he goes, "can I buy you a drink....as long as you're not a liberal". Well fuck you and you know where you can stick your drink.

[u/Present_Sell_8605 → u/Sea-Oven-7560]

Damn. I would’ve said, “yes, I’m a liberal and there’s no need to buy me anything. Have a good day!” — make that bastard feel some guilt, if it’s possible.

[u/BayouGal → u/Sea-Oven-7560]

Conservatives are selfish people. They would not save a stranger’s car.

[u/fzahraal → u/Sea-Oven-7560]

So sad that this sports team ideology in politics divides us as one humanity smh

[u/Sea-Oven-7560 → u/fzahraal]

it's only one side.

[u/Lunch-Thin → u/fzahraal]

Don't feel bad. You were being a good person because you expected the same in return. Now you know not to expect decency from them so now you can forget that they exist.

[u/GeneralJavaholic → u/Lunch-Thin]

Or maybe they were behaving like a good person simply because they are a good person. We aren't all transactional.

[u/Feeling_Name_6903 → u/BZBitiko]

This is the answer he wants to provoke OP so he can have an excuse. Ignoring him completely takes his power away

[u/Ok-Addition1264 → u/Feeling_Name_6903]

This is also the answer for reddit trolls.. blocking makes ones life so much better and only takes 3-5 seconds.

[u/ComfortableSerious89 → u/Ok-Addition1264]

Absolutely! I didn't used to but I learned.

[u/HistoricalRoll9023 → u/Feeling_Name_6903]

Unfortunately, this is the soundest advice.

[u/Honest-Cover9513 → u/HistoricalRoll9023]

Agreed. Take care, mate, I'm so angry you have to deal with this shit.

[u/LandonDev → u/HistoricalRoll9023]

With that said, watch out for him escalating things gradually or all at once. As time progresses and he gets more ignored, he might start lashing out with extremely fast escalations. Something subtle might be blown weight out of proportions, and if that starts to happen I would honestly consider moving because it probably shows he's looking for a fight or looking for violence.

[u/SpicySweetHotPot → u/LandonDev]

Totally true, they WANT the confrontation and if you don’t give it to them they will try to trap you into something.

[u/Easy-Barnacle5734 → u/Feeling_Name_6903]

Nailed it. Folks like this are looking for a fight.

[u/Hesitation-Marx → u/BZBitiko]

Shunning!

[u/prof_the_doom → u/Hesitation-Marx]

It's a thing because it works.

Doesn't work as well in the age of social media echo chambers, but if enough of a town is willing to participate... especially if it gets to the point where they start getting refused service at stores and restaurants.

[u/Ok_Carpet_2013 → u/Hesitation-Marx]

The new rule is shun all MAGA and the like. As soon as you hear their views, get up and leave, without a word. Don't be friendly. Don't acknowledge them. Make them feel embarrassed to be perceived.

[u/johnniesSac → u/Hesitation-Marx]

Should throw the guy in a lake , see if he floats

[u/Notbob1234 → u/johnniesSac]

If he floats, he is made of wood and therefore a witch.

[u/Longjumping_Suit_256 → u/Notbob1234]

She turned me into a newt!

[u/j4_jjjj → u/Longjumping_Suit_256]

I got better!

[u/tondahuh → u/Longjumping_Suit_256]

Red no blue! Ahhhh!

[u/Deaf_Playa → u/Notbob1234]

But does he weigh the same as a duck?

[u/colemanjanuary → u/Notbob1234]

Who are you, that you are so wise in the ways of science?

[u/Asleep_Leek9361 → u/Notbob1234]

My people ☝️

[u/knighthawk0811 → u/BZBitiko]

and be slightly extra nice to your other neighbors who aren't dicks

[u/zengal108 → u/BZBitiko]

And get a couple cameras for your house just in case

[u/Mic98125 → u/zengal108]

2 obvious cameras and two hidden cameras

[u/VegetableAd3336 → u/BZBitiko]

THIS! Plus the cameras.

Please don’t pay attention to people like this, OP. People who do this are profoundly insecure and unhappy. They live in order to antagonize others and they have no true direction or purpose because they’re consumed with self loathing.

Ignore, ignore, ignore. Never acknowledge them, look at them or respond to any question. Try to wear headphones whenever you’re outside alone, even if they’re not on, so that you have good cover for ignoring it ALL.

Good luck, OP. Please be safe and live your best life every single day.

[u/bradatlarge → u/BZBitiko]

^^^ this guy neighbors

[u/Pandorakiin → u/BZBitiko]

Sometimes the only way to win the game is to refuse to play.

[u/Exotic_Macaron4288 → u/BZBitiko]

Ignore them, but if they attack, be ready to aggressively defend yourself. There is no trying to be nice to or appeasing these extremist terrorists. Their culture is fucked. Again don't be offensive but be ready to use any force necessary to defend yourself if they should give you the opportunity. 

[u/MotorLive → u/BZBitiko]

If unsure, always avoid to be safe.

Rule applies to both plants and animals (humans included).

[u/Cautious-Antelope743]

If you don't have them already, get security cameras to cover all angles of your home. Especially the side that faces them. I'd even make sure I have cameras pointing at them so you have full visibility of the property line.

If you have an HOA, read the rules and report it to them.

Cameras would be my very first move here

[u/Demonkey44 → u/Cautious-Antelope743]

If you get Eufy cameras, you are notified on your cellphone whenever someone is in view of the camera. It picks up people with AI.

You don’t need to monitor anything, it records until the person leaves. I have simple cameras that I leave inside my house (window) facing outside.

Also get an obvious doorbell cam so he knows he’s being watched. Also another inside camera facing outside wards, in case he tries to break your doorbell camera. Eufy has a cloud service, but also a “home base” that you can hide in your house.

I would also see an attorney to build a paper trail in case he escalates. I mean what kind of creep goes through the holidays with that filth on his door? What is he saying that it is to the neighbors? Some religious shit? I know nothing about white supremicists and thought it was a German WWI flag. It’s creepy! We don’t really have this here, we’re in Northern New Jersey, but I’m sure pockets of rural Sussex and Gloucester counties are also bad.

I would ignore him also, shun him, just refuse to speak to him. Also think about getting a couple baseball bats for around your house. Find out what self defense devices are legal in IL.

[u/Kakairo → u/Demonkey44]

The AI feature might not work in IL. We have the strictest biometric privacy laws in the nation, to the point that many camera features are simply turned off here. ADT runs ads touting their AI, with the disclaimer "not available in Illinois".

[u/Demonkey44 → u/Kakairo]

You can turn it off. Mine just recognizes that it’s a human and half the time gets that wrong too (cat washing its belly = person trying to break into home.)

[u/wasdninja → u/Kakairo]

Chances are it wasn't ever "AI" to begin with but simple image recognition. It can tell, by shape, that it's a human but not pinpoint it as a particular person.

[u/rlev97 → u/Kakairo]

Honestly not too mad about that

[u/guess_33 → u/Demonkey44]

My Eufy cameras all slowed down heavily after ~8 months. Idk if my hubs storage is too full or what, but now it takes noticeably longer to connect to live footage or stored videos. It’s practically impossible to talk live with people at my front door.

I actually really like eufy. I have their floor sweeper and indoor lights too. But there has been a drop off in speed/connection over time :(

[u/throwaway098764567 → u/Demonkey44]

white supremacists love them some german symbology. the crusades were about killing muslims to seize the holy land for the catholic church, i think you can probably figure out how they meant that flag to be received by their muslim neighbor.

[u/fzahraal → u/Cautious-Antelope743]

We have some up, I will be adding more to cover more, also adding some indoors in case of anything ! I appreciate your advice 🙏

[u/Fantastic_Jury5977 → u/Cautious-Antelope743]

Cameras are nice but the feds basically have access all the IOT A/V hardware you subscribe to... I'd spring for CC with local storage. I would always caution adding to the already massive internet surveillance infrastructure, but especially now that ICE/CPB are doing illegal shit.

[u/Warm-Discipline5136]

Illinois Nazis. I hate Illinois nazis.

[u/GhoulieGumDrops → u/Warm-Discipline5136]

Damn I didn't realize I was in the Illinois sub until I saw your comment. Now I'm even more upset! Fuck Illinois Nazis.

And OP, if you read this I'm really sorry you have to see that every day. It's not okay and you deserve to feel safe and not be discriminated against.

[u/fzahraal → u/GhoulieGumDrops]

Thank you, people like you give me hope kind stranger !

[u/-the7shooter → u/fzahraal]

T’s & P’s from Houston OP. ✊

ETA: fuck all the nazi’s from everywhere, especially Illinois!! Free Durk.

[u/Xullister → u/Warm-Discipline5136]

And on that note, it looks like there are a bunch of good Blues Brothers flags for sale online. That'd be my response.

[u/stratusmonkey → u/Warm-Discipline5136]

I was thinking: O.P. needs to get a screen printed novelty flag with a picture of Jake and Elwood, that says "I hate Illinois Nazis" at the bottom.

People in general could use a garden flag like that!

[u/ThrowAwayGarbage82 → u/stratusmonkey]

Screen printed flag with jake paul's absolutely wrecked face. Bonus if it's the updated pic with his jaw wired shut. The maganazis hate that he got destroyed by a guy who isn't white.

[u/Prestigious_Rain_842 → u/Warm-Discipline5136]

I've been saying this for 45 years, just as true today as it ever was.

[u/Pretend-Tumbleweed86 → u/Warm-Discipline5136]

Damn classic saying and true today

[u/elainegeorge]

Do you have an HOA? Does it have rules against flags? That’s one way of going about this.

If not, you leave that neighbor alone. Either ignore them completely or give a wave and keep to yourselves when it comes to them. Build allies with other neighbors.

Some people are ignorant villains who want to be jerks to others to cause them unease. Personally, I wouldn’t trust those neighbors ever. If they invite you to a barbecue, assume everything has pork in it.

[u/PavBoujee → u/elainegeorge]

"Build allies with other neighbors."

This is the way.

[u/burtritto → u/elainegeorge]

100% this neighbor is looking for a fight. Don’t give them one. The best way to fight them, is to not give them what they want.

[u/Illustrious-Okra-524 → u/elainegeorge]

This is the best advice OP

[u/alexnotalexa10 → u/[deleted]]

Sign him up for a Scientology mailing list

[u/CaptAros → u/alexnotalexa10]

Sending Scientology a donation with that address would be the ultimate play

[u/Immediate-Witness414 → u/CaptAros]

That and order a prepaid subscription to a mailed magazine like Out

[u/ThrowAwayGarbage82 → u/alexnotalexa10]

Junkmail revenge is hilarious. Sign him up to get a visit from the mormons. Those people are relentless. So are the jehovah witnesses. Then just find every annoying spam mail thing to sign him up for.

[u/Crepuscular_Tex → u/[deleted]]

Massage parlor on maps

[u/jamiegc1 → u/[deleted]]

I like how you think.

Get their number and sign them up on shady sites for insurance quotes.

[u/noreallyimgoodthanks]

Ignore him. Foster a community with your other neighbors. I guarantee most feel the same way you do.

[u/Key-Cancel-5000 → u/noreallyimgoodthanks]

You’d be surprised. I thought that would be the case in a subdivision we rented in… they all held the same sentiment. Some just louder than the others.

[u/KansanJohnBrown24]

You should feel threatened. This is pure racism, and I wouldn’t take it any other way than a threat

[u/fzahraal → u/KansanJohnBrown24]

What feels helpless is knowing that, short of something overt happening, there’s very little recourse. We’re told to document, to wait…and history shows that often nothing is taken seriously until someone is harmed. That’s the part that’s exhausting and frightening.

We’re not accusing, we’re not escalating, we’re just trying to understand how people are supposed to feel safe when hostility is allowed to sit openly on your front lawn and you’re expected to just live with it. This is sad and frightening and unjust.

[u/Anemic_Zombie → u/fzahraal]

Do you have cameras on your property? If not, I'd get some.

Edit: also, most cameras send straight to the police, regardless of your agency. I use eufy cameras, as that only goes to me.

[u/Misersoneof → u/Anemic_Zombie]

This. If they’re gonna do something, it’ll be petty and stupid. Best get it on camera to use in court later

[u/New-Cardiologist-158 → u/Anemic_Zombie]

I second that. Even just as a deterrent, but in the event that something does happen, you want it on camera.

[u/thesanguineocelot → u/fzahraal]

The point of them flying it is that you're not supposed to feel safe. The point is to scare you. The point is to show off their bigotry, and their pride in being a bigot. They get to fly their hate flag and you have no recourse because they haven't done anything overtly violent.

What you do is, unfortunately, get cameras. The laws cannot and will not protect you from things happening. That's not how they're designed. They're designed to punish the culprits after the fact - but if it's a wight dude, as this one certainly is, you NEED solid proof or else they'll let him off the hook.

I wish we lived in a world in which these fucking racists were afraid to show their racism - or better yet, just weren't racist in the first place - but we're not there yet.

[u/KAVyit → u/thesanguineocelot]

Before 2016 they hid under rocks.  

[u/Emergency-State → u/fzahraal]

Whatever your neighbor is mad about, I doubt you or your family are the cause. I saw your pic and felt terrified. I can't imagine having to live next to that. I'm so sorry

[u/StellarSteck → u/fzahraal]

I’m so sorry. This is so sick thing I can’t imagine how unsafe you must feel. If I was your neighbor I’d host a party and invite everyone but that person to ensure that person knows you are supported.

[u/_okbrb → u/fzahraal]

It’s cope. They’re flying a flag because they’re impotent cowards and it’s the only thing they can do. They don’t have the guts to do a real hate crime, so they’re opting for attempted intimidation.

FWIW, hate speech is not protected speech. When you talk to the police about it, ask them if a Nazi flag or a burning cross would be allowed.

[u/Another_Opinion_1 → u/_okbrb]

That last part is false. There is no hate speech exception to the First Amendment. Hate speech is protected as free speech.

Both cross burning and the display of Nazi flags have been addressed by the courts. Nazi flags are constitutional (see the Skokie case cited below). Cross burning depends on the context - see the St. Paul case cited below. You don't have a right to unlawfully someone else's property and burn a cross on their lawn but a hate group like the KKK can burn crosses on private property as part of their own political demonstration.

See National Socialist Party v. Skokie (1977), R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul (1992), Snyder v. Phelps (2011) and Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) for starters.

[u/TooManyToast → u/fzahraal]

Unfortunately with the legal system as ineffectual at its most basic level. And with so much rampant unaccountability and the outward hate and vitriol from the maga community and Nazi community now they feel emboldened to spew the mindless dribble there isn't much to do besides figure out a way for something to happen that your not connected to. Hopefully someone more unhinged and without fucks to give decides they are going to do something. Or be willing to catch a charge . Debate and I intellectual discussion does not work when they disregard basic fact.

[u/TooManyToast → u/[deleted]]

Salami plays hell with paint, sugar will ruin gas .

[u/DustyRailz → u/TooManyToast]

Especially when said salami is soaked in high grain alcohol

[u/SoyYo5599]

I'm really sorry you have to live next door to that. As a minority in this country, I get how disheartening this can be. Remember always that you have people on your side.

[u/Embarrassed-Bowl-373 → u/[deleted]]

Why talk to him ever? What good could come from that?

[u/CHROME-COLOSSUS]

When someone tells you who they are — believe them.

[u/Karmeencere]

Don’t respond, don’t do anything. Your neighbor is looking for reaction those kind of people feed from how people respond. Your neighbor is not worth your time and energy!

[u/sohcgt96 → u/Karmeencere]

Yep. The neighbor probably hopes for a reaction so he has an excuse to escalate and feel like a badass. Don't give him anything to work with.

[u/Zlifbar]

Build a moat, set up trebuchets, lay in supplies for a seige.

[u/ChicagoBoiSWSide → u/Zlifbar]

He could petition to the King of Bohemia for reinforcements too while he’s at it😭

[u/newAccount2022_2014]

Would you be comfortable saying what town/city this is?

[u/fzahraal → u/newAccount2022_2014]

Will county Illinois, Joliet.

[u/newAccount2022_2014 → u/fzahraal]

Talk to your other neighbors. Make sure they know what they're allowing in your neighbors. Likely they don't recognize the symbol or understand the severity of the situation. You should not be the person in this situation who feels unwelcome or unsafe in their own home. This was likely targeted at you unfortunately and they might be expecting you to react. If John Smith who's lived down the street for 20 years and goes to church most Sundays asks them what the hell they think they're doing, that may shame them. 

[u/corndogtrampstamp → u/newAccount2022_2014]

I really wish this was higher up. Talk to your neighbors, especially ones you have maybe already talked to or gotten to know. And it doesn’t have to be intense, just ask if they’ve seen it. If they know what it stands for - you can even play confused and pull out the phone to look it up while you’re talking and “learn” together. So many people don’t know, and there is always strength in numbers. One bad neighbor (nazi) can’t take down a whole neighborhood when they work together and look out for each other. Even your mail carrier, if they are someone you have had for a long time, can be an ally that looks out for you.

We keep us safe, y’all.

[u/NoExplanation2796 → u/fzahraal]

I see your neighbor is not familiar with the Blues Brothers. Maybe offer him a copy.

[u/Maximum_Slip_9373 → u/fzahraal]

Bro they got this shit going on in Joliet? Nah man that shit ain't right, I'm sorry you have to deal with fuckbags like that on your street.

That's the house I'd watch and report every tiny infraction to your HOA for if you and they have one. These fuckers are lucky people haven't slashed their tires already for that one.

I'd keep an eye out and try to talk with your other neighbors, get some safety in numbers. I don't think they'll listen to you, but they'll sure as shit listen if half the neighborhood is complaining about it.

Bet you thirty dollars if you put up a flag from any country in the middle/near east up on your lawn they'd have already called the cops. Absolute bullshit and I'm so sorry you have to deal with that

[u/Hesitation-Marx → u/fzahraal]

Oh HELL no.

[u/DubnoBass34 → u/fzahraal]

Ugh not surprised, gross

[u/bipolarearthovershot → u/fzahraal]

It would be the joilet sorry friend 

[u/skiing_nerd → u/fzahraal]

I'll second the recommendation to talk to your neighbors, and add on to specifically talk to Will County Progressives or any local Indivisible chapter, ALCU chapter, or immigrant's rights groups you can find. Like, yeah, have your friends and normal neighbors aware of this hateful bigot, but also clue in the people who have experience organizing against the far right in your community.

Also, talk to your local city councilperson or state representative's constituent services. Flying designated hate symbols may or may not be illegal, but they should be able to help you figure out your options. And if things do escalate to needing to get the police involved, you don't want to have to approach a random officer with unknown allegiances, you want an advocate with more power on your side.

[u/newAccount2022_2014 → u/fzahraal]

Damn, I don't know anyone local to you

[u/Justanotherthrway776 → u/newAccount2022_2014]

I live near Joliet. This shit shouldn't be happening so blatantly, and at all for that matter

[u/Educational-Ad-1548 → u/Justanotherthrway776]

Same here. Not cool seeing it so close to home.

[u/livestrong2109 → u/fzahraal]

Seriously we all hate illinois nazis. 🌊 🚓

[u/OppressedCow6148]

I’m so sorry this has happened to you. Im not sure of the makeup of your family, but I’m speaking as a young woman. Perhaps you could reframe this as a “necessity for community and connection”. Use this unfortunate and disgusting event as an opportunity to join your local indivisible group. Start building community and network with like minded people.

I know this sounds like a throw away answer. But I actual had something traumatic happen to me when the ICE raids started. I was driving home after dropping my fiancé off at work for first shift. I stopped at the stop sign by my apartment and two men came out of nowhere in black clothes and were trying to get into my car. It was horrifying. But after that I joined the League of Women Voters and another local progressive group.

I feel much better equipped to handle the filth that has crawled out of the woodwork. Please be safe. You are not alone. And I hope you and your family have a happy holidays. Hugs. 🫂

[u/ProjectNo4090]

Your neighbor is a Knights Templar?

[u/kandspr]

"We’re a quiet, working household. Our household includes a final year medical student, and another member works in social services as well as a high school student. We contribute to the community, keep to ourselves, and have always been respectful neighbors." The fact that immigrant families even need to "prove" themselves in this way is fucking garbage. I dislike this so much. I am sorry this is what it is.

[u/Academic_Dig_1567]

Neighbor is living the illusion of a grand race war. Like the South he’s on the losing side.

[u/earthman34]

Put up a pride flag.

[u/bewak86 → u/earthman34]

Or... hear me out... The assassin brotherhood flag from Assassin Creed series?

[u/AJ787-9 → u/bewak86]

Extra points if it's the Assassins/Betsy Ross flag from Assassin's Creed 3.

[u/blahblah19999]

Please understand that many of us hate what this country has become.

[u/fzahraal → u/blahblah19999]

I hope that it can become what it used to be and better. I have hope that things will improve someday…

[u/Wandering_Oblivious → u/blahblah19999]

Funny enough, that's probably exactly what the people who hung the flag up would say too.

[u/Ok_Record_9908]

1000% racism! He's basically saying to you he's a Nazi.

[u/vertical-challenge]

An inglorious basterds flag/poster or GI robot.🤣

[u/DoomedKiblets]

I wish I could be your neighbor :( you sound like great neighbors, and don’t deserve this hateful crap

[u/fzahraal → u/DoomedKiblets]

all of our neighbors are wonderful, except for this hateful human next door. Thank you kind stranger ♥️

[u/explodedbagel]

Not surprised at the number of 2/4/6 month old accounts pretending you are the problem or that there isn’t some creepy / xenophobic angle to displaying that historical symbol in 2025.

Not sure what the solution is, but that’s gross and I hope something works out to shame them into stopping.

[u/FIRExNECK]

What would Joliet Jake and Elwood do?

[u/Malakai0013]

Get a plain red flag, and have something funny written in Arabic. Ive gone with "a loser translated this" or "you're a bitch."

[u/nika_0515]

I’ve had people with the confederate flag on my street. These people are usually self-limiting. I hope that’s the case for you. I’m sorry. I can only imagine the feeling you get having to see this everyday. I almost feel the same when I see the American flag anymore as I feel like many people have co-opted it after their shame of the Trump flags.

[u/atreeismissing]

We contribute to the community, keep to ourselves, and have always been respectful neighbors.

Keeping doing that except the keep to yourselves part, be more visible and helpful/friendly to the rest of your neighborhood so establish your reputation and help if you need it, among your neighbors.

I would also suggest you get a couple Ring or similar cameras that cover your property (you can get indoor ones and point them outside though they tend to not work well at night, outside ones have better nigh vision).

Personally I find the flag an intimidation tactic so you need to be prepared should anything happen, purposefully or even accidentally due to miscommunications. But having a record of what's going on and establishing yourself with your other neighbors is important.

[u/DeadRabbit8813]

Whenever I see a flag my thoughts aren’t “that guy is a warrior of God” or something like that, it’s “I bet that man doesn’t wash his ass because he thinks it’s gay.”

[u/smashlikeifyouenjoy]

Next time you see him, say that's a really cool flag he put up and ask if it's his favourite band or something and have him explain it to your face.

[u/RailwayMenace]

My neighbor put a Gadsden flag up, so I put up a GIGANTIC Wu-Tang flag in the front of my house.

[u/nick9000]

For anyone unfamiliar, “Deus Vult” is a medieval crusader slogan

Remember that the crusaders lost, Muslims won. You're living next to the losing team.

[u/-ManyFacedGod-]

White fragility pride flag

[u/IrishPorpoise]

Call him a cracker ass loser

[u/4r4r4real → u/IrishPorpoise]

Yeah I think trying to instigate the weird racist threatening your family is definitely the move, great call!

[u/dirtyjavv]

The guy is most likely a white collar soft boy that doesn't get many thrills in life and having an edgy opinion about something is what he thinks is "cool". Harmless. I have a neighbor that flies an all black American flag (take no prisoners flag, I think). The dude is super lame.

[u/streachh]

I would reach out to your community and ask them to possibly organize a neighborhood watch fr

[u/RagingKumquat]

I'm from Joliet as well. I'm sorry this is happening to you, but it doesn't surprise me. People are getting quite bold with their prejudices. If they are not doing anything other than putting this on their door, I wouldn't escalate things. Not giving bullies attention is what they hate most. I would take extra security measures though. Maybe invest in some cameras or get hooked up with a security company. Not much can be done unless you live in a neighborhood with an HOA. I hope nothing comes of this. Be safe!

[u/JasonEll]

I believe that the traditional response is a barrage from catapults and archers, followed up by a shocking cavalry charge.

Failing the availability of a proper force, shunning as described elsewhere would be the ideal response.

[u/OkDecision1612]

Could you approach a local Christian church and ask them to go knock on that neighbor’s door to talk to them on your behalf? I’m not at all saying these people are Christian, but that maybe that could be a resource besides the police to talk sense into them since that’s a crusades flag?

[u/fzahraal → u/OkDecision1612]

I volunteer at a pantry ran by a local Church, i have no doubt that they would do that for me, but this guy is hateful, would hate for him to make them feel bad in any way.

[u/OkDecision1612 → u/fzahraal]

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends”

Please tell them, they would probably be happy to help you. I certainly would if I were your neighbor. The greatest privilege a Christian has is to be hated for their faith. To go into dark places and battle evil, and what that flag directed at you represents is evil.

[u/Western-Boot-4576]

Something extremely petty.

Have them come home looking at a giant picture of Trump with Epstein.

[u/Key-Distribution-635]

At least we know who the christofacists are in the neighborhood. I‘m a pagan. This is so offensive.

[u/GrowFreeFood]

They're fantasizing like a serial killer.

[u/Fun-Army-6387]

report it as a hate crime to both police and ADL chapter in your area. ILStopHate.org or 877-458-HATE. 

[u/theschadowknows → u/Fun-Army-6387]

Displaying a flag on your own property, even one with extremely poor taste and cultural insensitivity, isn’t a hate crime. No one is going to do anything about it.

[u/Tornado_XIII → u/theschadowknows]

AFAIK this is likely the case. He has the 1st amendment freedom of speech to be an asshole on his own property.

[u/Mist_Rising → u/theschadowknows]

You'd be correct, hate crime is an punishment extender not a crime unto itself and the requirements for speech to be a crime are high; The supreme court ruled in Skokie that you need immediate threats to lose your first amendment right. Short of that, and you can actually march past synagogues chanting death to Jews. Which is pretty much what the neo Nazis wanted to do at Skokie.

A flag with Latin saying God wills it..probably won't pass muster on immediate threat.

[u/jesuschristdickstar → u/Fun-Army-6387]

Uhhhh….while unsettling, this is awful but lawful

[u/Another_Opinion_1 → u/Fun-Army-6387]

It's not a hate crime. It's legally protected free speech. There is plenty of case law on this. There is no "hate speech" exception to the First Amendment that comes under criminal consequence.

See National Socialist Party v. Skokie (1977), R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul (1992), Snyder v. Phelps (2011) and Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) for starters.