MADISON, Wis. — A University of Wisconsin student trying to form a pro-White group has abandoned his efforts after intense backlash from other students and university officials.
American Freedom Party National Chairman William Johnson confirmed Monday that Daniel Dropik is no longer forming a Madison chapter after an Associated Press reporter noticed the group’s website had been made private. The American Freedom Party has deep ties to white supremacism, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups.
Johnson says Dropik, 33, also plans to take a break from his coursework under an arrangement he hopes to make with the university. UW spokeswoman Meredith McGlone said Dropik, a computer science student, is currently still enrolled.
Dropik did not respond to email and phone messages seeking comment. He previously said Johnson would speak on his behalf.
Dropik earlier told the AP he started the group after feeling the university had gone overboard in supporting nonwhite students and promoting cultural diversity.
Hundreds of students protested last week after it came out late last month that Dropik spent five years in federal prison for setting fire to two predominantly black churches in Wisconsin and Michigan a decade ago. After the news that Dropik was forming the group came out, Chancellor Rebecca Blank said that university officials were monitoring Dropik and were not aware of any safety threats, but student leaders said Blank’s response was the latest in a string of weak responses to racist incidents on campus.
Protest organizer Kat Kerwin said her group, the Student Coalition for Progress, is “cautiously optimistic” about Dropik’s decision to abandon his plans.
