Independent Lens Season 17 Episode 14 Welcome to Leith

In Independent Lens season 17 episode 14, titled "Welcome to Leith," viewers are taken on a chilling journey through a small North Dakota town called Leith. When a white supremacist moves to town with an agenda to take over the government and implement his beliefs, the residents of Leith are faced with a difficult choice: stay and fight or abandon their homes and community.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to Craig Cobb, a notorious white supremacist who has made headlines for his extremist views and actions. Cobb discovers the small town of Leith, which has a population of only 24 people, and begins purchasing as much land as he can afford. His end goal is to entice other white supremacists to move to Leith with him, and essentially take over the town by outnumbering the current residents.

As Cobb's presence becomes more well-known in Leith, tensions begin to rise. The current residents are torn between their desire to protect their community and their fear of the dangerous extremists that are moving in. The episode explores this conflict through interviews with various townspeople, including a father and son who are born and raised in Leith and run the only business in town.

The episode also delves into the history of white supremacy in America and how it has evolved over time. Viewers learn about the Aryan Nations, a white supremacist group that was active in the 1970s and 1980s and whose ideology still has a strong presence today. The episode also introduces viewers to other white supremacist groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, and explores their beliefs and tactics.

As tensions in Leith continue to escalate, the town becomes a battleground for opposing ideologies. The episode shows footage of protests and counter-protests, as both sides try to convince the other that their beliefs are right. Viewers see how the residents of Leith come together to protect their community, but also how their efforts are met with resistance and hate.

Throughout the episode, viewers are left to grapple with difficult questions about free speech and hate speech. While many of the people that Cobb invites to Leith are clearly dangerous extremists, others simply hold views that are considered controversial or offensive. The episode asks viewers to consider where the line should be drawn when it comes to protecting the freedom of speech versus protecting individuals and the larger community from harm.

Overall, "Welcome to Leith" is a thought-provoking and powerful episode that sheds light on a complex and troubling issue. By examining the conflict in Leith through the perspectives of its residents and by exploring the history of white supremacy in America, the episode offers a nuanced and compelling look at an issue that is still very much a part of our national conversation.