early and vitally important Internet presence, at http://www.natall.com,
http://www.natvan.com, and http://www.resistance.com. While Pierce
himself never became Internet savvy (eye problems severely hampered his
use of computer screens), or knew much about youth-market White Power
music, he ably delegated these tasks to staff members and off-site
Alliance members to keep the Alliance up to date technologically.
Pierce also during this time solidified ties with other large pro-White
groups in Europe, most notably the British National Party and the NPD in
Germany.
Pierce's strong leadership style and strict enforcement of rules helped
the Alliance grow without the internal strife that eventually tears
apart almost every other pro-White organization. His leadership
abilities, communication abilities, vision, unending personal commitment
and intelligence were the primary source of the group's ability,
strength and influence.
Pierce had always attracted national media attention and did interviews
with media outlets in America and around the world. One year ago a very
even-handed book about Pierce was written by Professor Robert S. Griffin
called The Fame of a Dead Man's Deeds: An Up-Close Portrait of White
Nationalist William Pierce. The book is currently available at
Amazon.com among other places and is the most informative and exhaustive
book or article ever written about Pierce.
In the few months before his diagnosis Pierce and others noticed he was
somewhat thinner and more drawn than usual. Pierce had also mentioned
feeling far more tired than he had in the past. But his mind was as
sharp as ever and with the Alliance busier than ever Pierce continued
with his usual workload -- 12-14 hours a day, 7 days a week -- at his
office in the Alliance headquarters complex.
Pierce never had much faith or trust in medical doctors and until the
cancer diagnosis had almost always been in excellent health. Pierce's
mother had lived into her eighties and most of those who knew Pierce
expected him to be leading the Alliance for at least that long. His
death therefore came as a shock to all concerned.
National Office staffers and a few key Alliance members such as
Resistance Records CEO Erik Gliebe are already at the National Office to
begin the hard task of running the Alliance without its founder and only
leader.
The Alliance will continue, but the next few months may be the most
difficult and crucial in its history. If it is able to survive Pierce's
death it can survive any other future problems. At this point it is a
question of whether the membership and other concerned Whites will
continue to support a National Alliance without William Pierce.
VICTOR GERHARD
