Ryan Scott McCann, a 29-year-old Canadian national and member of the neo-Nazi group Goyim Defense League (GDL), has been indicted on charges of civil rights intimidation and assault following an incident in Nashville, Tennessee.
The altercation occurred on July 13, 2024, when McCann, who was in Nashville for a GDL gathering, approached a 20-year-old Jewish man in a parking lot on 10th Avenue South. After taunting the individual, McCann attempted a “spinning elbow strike” aimed at the victim’s head and neck. When the victim attempted to flee, McCann kicked him multiple times.
This incident follows a previous arrest in July 2024, where McCann was charged with felony aggravated assault for using a flagpole to strike a bartender during a confrontation in downtown Nashville. At the time of the latest incident, McCann was under conditions that included wearing an ankle monitor and being prohibited from leaving Davidson County.
The Goyim Defense League, known for its antisemitic rhetoric and conspiracy theories, has been active in Nashville, organizing protests and distributing hate materials. In July 2024, GDL members gathered in downtown Nashville to protest “white replacement,” wearing “Pro-white” t-shirts, carrying flags with swastika emblems, and chanting antisemitic slogans.
McCann remains in custody, with an additional $50,000 bond set on the new indictment. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the presence and activities of hate groups in various communities.