A white separatist group, Return to the Land (RTTL), is planning to establish a network of whites-only settlements in rural areas of America, including the Ozarks, Appalachia, and the South. The group aims to operate these communities as private clubs to avoid legal challenges, particularly regarding the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which prohibits discrimination in housing.
Since late 2023, RTTL has established a 160-acre community near Ravenden, Arkansas, and is working on additional sites. The group claims that its structure as a private membership association allows it to bypass housing discrimination laws. As of May 2026, RTTL had raised over $200,000 for its initiatives.
RTTL's founder, Eric Orwoll, has made controversial statements in media interviews, including references to Hitler and exclusionary practices. The group is currently facing a federal lawsuit from a woman of Russian-Jewish descent who was denied membership after revealing her heritage and family background. Legal experts suggest that RTTL's plans may face significant challenges under existing civil rights laws, particularly the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which prohibits racial discrimination without exemptions.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin's office is investigating RTTL following complaints, but no updates have been provided. The U.S. Department of Justice has not commented on the situation. If the federal lawsuit progresses, it may reveal more about RTTL's membership criteria and future plans for expansion.