OG Analytical, a cannabis testing laboratory in Eugene, Oregon has seen a “100 percent decline” in business according to its lab director, who called the brand “dead” after Eugene Antifa offered evidence that the owner participated in neo-Nazi activities, according to a report from The Oregonian/Oregon Live. Bethany Sherman, CEO of OG, indicated she plans to sell the company following the report.
The activists discovered that Sherman operated a Twitter handle, @14th_Word, which, according to the Anti-Defamation League, refers to the fourteen-word statement: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” It is alleged she also supplied food to neo-Nazi meetings and gatherings. The co-owner of the lab, Matthew Combs, was also accused by the activists of organizing events for the American Patriots Brigade, which serves as a support group for American Front, a white nationalist group.
Lab Director Rodger Voelker called the situation and the allegations “horrific” and “disgusting,” adding that Sherman accused her employees of “not supporting her” when the allegations came to light.
“It blindsided all of us,” he said in the report. “It’s unbelievable that you can work with people – our relationship is purely professional. We don’t share personal beliefs, religious, political or anything else. This is just unbelievable.”
Sherman wrote to the Oregonian/Oregon Live refuting the claims, arguing that her “only crime is a thought crime.”
“I believe that the world is tapestry of beautiful colors, each one full of a wealth of cultural heritage, and that each culture has a right to be proud of their heritage, and an obligation to protect and preserve that culture. I believe that this tapestry is not exclusive of European Americans, and I find it extremely disconcerting that it is admired and revered to have ‘Gay Pride,’ ‘Black Pride,’ ‘Asian Pride,’ or pride in any other cultural heritage, but if you have ‘White Pride,’ it automatically makes you a Nazi, and you are ostracized, attacked, and lynched by your community. I admit, I am proud that I am white, and I’m not ashamed of my heritage. And I admit that I have been so conditioned to feel shame about this pride that I discreetly sought community where I could. Knowing the potential ramifications of my actions, I did my best to keep them incredibly discreet. … I am the victim of a hate crime, perpetrated by an anonymous organization whose primary aim is to ruin other peoples’ lives. I have never made any such attempts at hurting any other human being, in any way (including via defamatory articles or social media posts) for any reason, nor have I EVER made any discriminatory overtures. Let’s be clear about this: Neither myself, nor my company, have ever, EVER practiced, preached, or recruited anyone to practice or preach hate or hateful rhetoric in ANY way.”
Voelker said he plans on finishing the samples the company agreed to test and is meeting with attorneys to discuss options.