Patriots’ Day: Unmasking the Exploitation of History and Symbols by Far-Right Extremists

On August 8, 2020, anti-government demonstrators in Columbus, Ohio, leveraged the American flag during their protests to amplify their message. This showcases how symbols can be distorted. Historically commemorated as Patriots’ Day, this holiday highlights America's revolutionary spirit, now exploited by extremist factions to perpetuate far-right ideologies. States like Massachusetts and Maine officially observe this day, while numerous organizations leverage patriotic symbols to articulate radical agendas. This appropriation risks reshaping national identity, intertwining historical narratives with extremist mobilization for contemporary causes.