Politicians and locals in New York City have come together to protest a neo-nazi group’s rumored expansion into their neighborhood. Recently, posters from Greece-based Golden Dawn have popped up in Astoria, Queens.

SEE ALSO: Soledad O’ Brien Slams Rudy Giuliani

In response to the anti-immigrant and anti-Semitic group, the community formed a Stop Golden Dawn coalition earlier this month. Their first meeting attracted 250 people after Golden Dawn members were sighted at the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York In Astoria.

SEE ALSO: Who Was The First African-American?

“I’m angry that Golden Dawn thinks that Astoria is an appropriate community to disseminate their message of hate,” said local Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, according to the New York Daily News. “Golden Dawn does not represent the sentiments of the people of Astoria.”

Watch a news report about anti-Golden Dawn demonstrations in Greece:

The protestors have also attracted the Occupy Wall Street movement to their cause. Members met with Stop Golden Dawn and other liberal groups this past weekend to discuss ways of combating the group. “They have the same racial ideology as the Nazis,” said Nicholas Levis, a member of Occupy Astoria Long Island City. “We will continue to meet about it.”

Want to Keep Up With NewsOne.com? LIKE Us On Facebook!

Golden Dawn may be targeting Astoria for its large Greek population. Members also attended a meeting at Queens College for a Greek students’ group. Some have argued they’ve been able to advertise in Astoria because many aren’t aware of their true intentions. But the neighborhood’s members have quickly worked to change that, as seen in the anti-Golden Dawn posters appearing in the area (pictured above).

“Whatever support they might have had was with people who really didn’t know what Golden Dawn does,” said Bard College professor Neni Panourgia, who has written extensively about the group.

“Their chances of setting up in Astoria are shot.”

Also On NewsOne: