The Associated Press is reporting that University of Wisconsin student Daniel Dropik has dropped his effort to start a chapter of the pro-white American Freedom Party on campus. His efforts to start and recruit members for the group drew intense backlash from other students and university officials.
American Freedom Party National Chairman William Johnson confirmed Monday that Daniel Dropik is no longer forming a Madison chapter after an Associated Press reporter noticed the group’s website had been made private. The American Freedom Party has deep ties to white supremacism.
Johnson told the Associated Press that Dropik is also planning on taking a break from his studies through an arrangement with UW.
University spokesperson Meredith McGlone said Dropik never formally applied to form a student organization. She also said he remains enrolled in classes as of Monday, and would have to follow the same procedure as anyone else to withdraw.
Dropik has admitted to setting fire to two predominantly black churches in 2005, citing mental illness and claiming that five years in federal prison was “transformative” and helped him overcome some of his stereotypes about minorities.
UW Chancellor Rebecca Blank responded by suggesting that criminal background checks might become part of the admissions process for students, which drew a blistering response from student activists.
