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)