In Nashville, Tennessee, a suspect with alleged ties to white supremacist groups has been apprehended concerning a destructive fire from March 2019. The fire obliterated an office at the historic Highlander Research and Education Center, a prominent social justice hub. The suspect, Regan Prater, faces charges of arson after being arrested last Thursday.
Court documents filed in East Tennessee reveal that Prater’s involvement with the fire was uncovered through his engagement in various group chats linked to white supremacist circles. Within these exchanges, Prater, allegedly using the alias “Rooster,” provided a detailed description of setting the fire using a “sparkler bomb and some Napalm.” A witness shared screenshots of conversations with the FBI linking Prater to the incident. Close to the fire’s location, a white-power symbol known as a “triple cross” was discovered spray-painted, a symbol also associated with the Christchurch, New Zealand shooter responsible for the massacre of 51 people at mosques on March 15, 2019, just two weeks prior to the fire at Highlander.
Prater has a history of criminal activity, having been previously sentenced to a five-year federal prison term for a separate arson incident in June 2019 at an adult video store in East Tennessee. Prater, who pleaded guilty, was mandated to pay $106,000 in restitution for that crime. Investigators tied him to the crime scene by locating his cellphone, which contained a video of the store’s arson. Despite attempts to reach out, Prater’s federal public defender has not issued any comment.
The fire at Highlander occurred in the early hours of March 29, 2019, and while there were no injuries, significant loss was incurred as the building housed invaluable documents and relics from the Civil Rights era. Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson, a former co-executive director of Highlander, recounted the devastation and lingering trauma due to the sluggish pace of the investigation, despite hints indicating the fire was a hate crime. Concerns were raised about authorities’ transparency regarding the probe and doubts about the investigations progressing under the Trump administration’s first term.
In the aftermath, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen called for a federal investigation and advocated for increased government funding to address the surge in hate crimes across the nation. By 2022, authorities confirmed to the Highlander’s leaders the attack was hate-motivated.
Highlander has a storied past, having played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement, with prominent figures such as Rosa Parks and John Lewis taking part in training there. Established in 1932, its co-founder Myles Horton created a unique space in the segregated South for interracial unity. The center became a beacon for activists during the Black Freedom Struggle, as John Lewis is noted to have been profoundly impacted by experiences at Highlander as described in his memoir.
Approaching its 93rd year, Highlander resumes its mission, undeterred by the arson incident. Plans to complete rebuilding the destroyed administrative office are underway, and Allyn Steele, a co-executive director, emphasized the center’s dedication to its cause. Woodard Henderson reflected on the attack, suggesting rather than dampening spirits, it underscored the community’s strength and shared responsibility in advancing justice and maintaining safety.