Local YMCA Dusts Off Marxist Symbol Made Famous During George Floyd Riots

A YMCA facility in Nashville, Tennessee displayed a Black History Month banner prominently featuring a symbol historically associated with Marxism, The Tennessee Star reported Monday.

The Star obtained an image of a raised, clench fist symbol reportedly displayed on a banner in the “Family Fitness Room” at the Margaret Maddox YMCA in Nashville. Although now largely associated with the Black Lives Matter movement and ubiquitous during the summer 2020 riots following the death of George Floyd, the symbol was also historically used by Marxist and black nationalist groups.

In addition to the fist symbol, the banner also featured an image of the African continent and the words “Black History Month,” both in red, yellow and green — a color scheme associated with pan-Africanism. February has been observed annually as Black History Month in the U.S., dating back to the 1970s.

The “raised fist” symbol was “connected to communism,” first used by communists during the Spanish civil war, socialist historian Sheila Rowbatham told The Guardian in 2006.

YMCA describes itself as a Christian youth organization, and its website states that the organization’s mission is “A worldwide charitable fellowship united by a common loyalty to Jesus Christ for the purpose of helping people grow in spirit, mind and body.”