A controversial American whites-only community known as Return to the Land (RTTL) is reportedly considering expanding into Missouri, U.S. raising alarm among civil rights advocates and local officials.
The private membership group, which currently operates a community in Northeast Arkansas, promotes "traditional views and European ancestry," effectively excluding non-white individuals and specifically barring Jewish people from membership.
RTTL’s ideology echoes the exclusionary practices of historical groups like the Ku Klux Klan, with membership restricted to people of certain European descent. The Anti-Defamation League has strongly condemned RTTL, accusing it of attempting to revive "discredited and reprehensible forms of segregation" and urging the Arkansas government to take action against the group.
Eric Orwoll, cofounder of RTTL, claims the group has consulted attorneys who believe their community’s exclusionary policies are legally defensible. Orwoll indicated they are prepared to challenge any legal obstacles, potentially escalating the fight to the conservative U.S. Supreme Court.
The group released a recruitment video six months ago featuring scenes of men engaged in outdoor activities while promoting their divisive message. Despite the video’s limited reach, with just 17,000 views, RTTL maintains a community that includes women and children.
One woman in the group said she feels safe and appreciates that her children can play freely without fear, emphasizing the community’s focus on building relationships — as long as members share the same racial background.