According to a report in City Pages, a northeastern Minneapolis German restaurant called Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit has been hosting a World War II re-enactment party in which participants dress as Nazi SS officers. Participants of the party are members of the World War II Re-enactment society or similar groups. Participants claim that although the restaurant has only hosted the party for the last 6 years, the party has been held annually in December time for the last 16 years.

Jon Boorom, a member of WWII Historical Re-enactment Society and party participant, explained to City Pages that party is motivated by historical interest and is no way an endorsement of Nazis themseleves. “If you wear a German uniform or a Nazi uniform, it’s not like you’re saying, ‘I think Hitler was super cool’ or ‘I hate Jews’,” says Boorom. “You’re not there because you believe in what Hitler stood for — you’re there to educate people about history, and a lot of that is so people don’t forget. It’s the same as wanting to be the bad guy when you’re playing cowboys and Indians.”

According to an official statement by the WWII Historical Reenactment Society Inc, the organization itself is no way connected to the events or the restaurant which hosts them.

(Shaya Perns – YWN)