Hitler’s Birthday Party in La Habra Is Off, Group Says

An Aryan Nations group that booked a La Habra Moose Lodge for a party today says publicity has forced it to move the event.

A man who answered the phone at the number listed on the white-supremacist group’s Web site said Friday the event was canceled after the location was revealed. He said a new location was being sought. He would not give his name or other details.

The Loyal Order of the Moose expressed shock on learning this week that the Brandenburg Division, a chapter of the Aryan Nations based in Long Beach, had booked the hall for a party celebrating Adolf Hitler’s birthday and had been promoting the event on the Internet.

The event’s location was given only as Orange County, and the group’s Web site said directions were on the tickets, which cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Promotions for the party said it would feature the rock band Youngland, which sings white-supremacist lyrics.

Those attending were asked to “dress appropriately” and were reminded that “all National Socialist customs and traditions will be observed.”

The Moose Lodge learned Thursday that its hall was identified by the OC Weekly newspaper as the party’s location.

T.J. Stiller, an incoming Moose officer, said lodge records showed that a fund-raiser had been scheduled for tonight, but the renting party was not identified.

A Hitler celebration would not have been allowed, Moose officials said.

“They misrepresented themselves,” lodge officer Michael Mackey said.

On Friday, the Moose lodge, through the La Habra Police Department, announced the hall would be closed today.

“We haven’t been able to reach anybody to say that this event was going to 100% happen there,” said Cindy Knapp, a police spokeswoman.

But Moose officials didn’t want to take any chances, she said.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.