Holocaust Denier Goes Underground to Ridgeland Hotel

Courtesy David Irving

Holocaust denier David Irving decided to forego a visit to Jackson Wednesday after all—and appeared in Ridgeland instead.

by Adam Lynch
October 22, 2009
UPDATED October 22, 2009

Holocaust Denier David Irving informed the Jackson Free Press that his public engagement, originally planned for City Hall at 6 p.m. Wednesday, was going underground at an undisclosed location, so to speak. “I’ve spoken with my partner, and we’ve decided that it would be best not to allow journalists,” Irving said, remarking on the continued publicity surrounding his appearance. The Jackson Free Press broke the story Monday, Oct. 12, that white supremacist Richard Barrett was bringing Irving to speak in the Jackson City Hall. The publicity caused a national Jewish organization to ask Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. to deny the visit, and Irving to disavow association with Barrett.

This morning, he would only tell the Jackson Free Press that he had appeared in Ridgeland instead:

"We had a number of people from Mississippi and (others) drive down from Tennessee to attend. We sat around plotting as neo-Nazis do, and finding synagogues we can set on fire and tombstones that we can throw around. All we can say is it was a hotel in Ridgeland. We try to keep our locations secret because if we don’t, then the usual people put pressure on the hotel chain. It’s the first time I’ve spoken in Jackson, and I will come back. I shall return, to quote MacArthur," he said when reached by phone today.


Irving’s writings downplay the Nazi involvement in the slaughter of millions of Jews during—and in the years leading up to—World War II. Irving has earned the criticism of many historians as well as the enmity of Jewish advocates. The American Gathering of Holocaust Survivors and Their Descendants sent an e-mail to Johnson last week requesting the mayor bar Irving’s presentation from City Hall. Johnson later replied that Irving had a constitutional right to speak his mind, but added that the city does not officially endorse the presentation and that Johnson will not be available.

Irving nevertheless moved his City Hall presentation to an undisclosed location in an effort to avoid media attention. He will also partially screen participants for media ties, he says. His Web site said he was charging $15 for entry into the talk.

Also yesterday, American Express dropped Irving as a merchant, so that he can no longer use the credit card for purchase of his controversial books that deny clear historic evidence about the realities of the Holocaust. "It's effective immediately, as of yesterday," AmEx spokeswoman Christine Elliott told WalletPop.com. "The materials that he sells on his Web site are not consistent with the brand policies that we have in our merchant agreement so we made the decision to terminate his ability to accept the American Express card."

Irving is scheduled to appear in Montgomery, Ala., today and Atlanta Friday. He then appears in several Florida cities next week before winding his way back up the eastern seaboard.

Edit: This story has been updated to correct a quote.

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