Arkansas Group Builds Whites-Only Enclave Amid Legal, Political Outcry

A whites-only community called 'Return to the Land' is being built near Ravenden, Arkansas, sparking nationwide outrage and calls for investigation. The group, led by right-wing YouTuber Eric Orwoll, claims the 160-acre development is legal as a private, members-only club that excludes people of color, Muslims, Jews, LGBTQ individuals, and militant atheists. Critics, including housing rights experts and Arkansas Democratic leaders, condemn the community as discriminatory and argue it violates civil rights laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has stated that racial discrimination has no place in the state and is reviewing the situation, though preliminary findings have not confirmed legal violations. Opponents warn the community represents a dangerous resurgence of segregationist practices and undermines civil rights progress, while the group asserts its right to self-determination and traditional values. The controversy highlights tensions over race, housing discrimination, and government enforcement amid President Donald Trump's administration, which some experts believe is unlikely to intervene decisively.