The Year in Hate

& Extremism 2021

About the Southern Poverty Law Center
The SPLC is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in
partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen
intersectional movements and advance the human rights of all people.
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ILLUSTRATION BY JOAN WONG

© 2022 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

Contents
THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 2021 2
THE EXTREME RIGHT’S PIVOT TO (LIVE)VIDEO 18
NICK FUENTES DEPLATFORMED: A WHITE NATIONALIST’S
JOURNEY THROUGH ALT-TECH 24
THE YEAR IN UNITY AND RESILIENCE 26
“LEMONS TO LEMONADE” WITH THE BTV CLEAN UP CREW 28
“ VOICES OF LOVE AND UNITY” FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES 29
SEEDING FREEDOM IN THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA 31
“ WE HAVE TO MOBILIZE TOGETHER .” 33
WHAT WE DO NOW: P OLICY RECOMMENDATIONS 36
HATE GROUP MAP AND LISTS 42
ANTIGOVERNMENT GROUP LISTS 57
ENDNOTES 63
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 65
The Year in
Hate and
Extremism
2021
By Cassie Miller and
Rachel Carroll Rivas

the storming of the U.S.

Capitol on Jan. 6 exposed an
alarming reality: that extrem-
ist leaders can mobilize large
groups of Americans to use force
and intimidation to impose their
political will. The reactionary
and racist beliefs that propelled
a mob into the Capitol that day
have not dissipated. Instead,
they’ve coalesced into a politi-
cal movement that is now one of
the most powerful forces shap-
ing politics in the United States.
In the year since the insurrec-
tion, this hard-right movement
– made up of hate and extrem-
ist groups, Trump loyalists,
right-wing think tanks, media
organizations and commit-
ted activists with institutional
power – has worked feverishly
to undermine democracy, with
real-world consequences for
the people and groups they tar-
get. Within the GOP, a radical
faction is attempting to rout the
few remaining moderates unless
there is a robust counter-effort
from democracy supporters.

Illustration by JoanPOVERTY
2 SOUTHERN Wong LAW CENTER
THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 3
 Many Republicans and a monied network of ally often conspiratorial, racist and nationalistic. Not all
groups have exploited the “Big Lie” of a stolen elec- the groups and individuals that make up the hard
tion in 2020 to enact a historic number of voter-sup- right hold the same beliefs or embrace the same
pression bills that disproportionately disenfranchise political strategies. But all espouse a view of soci-
voters of color and people in poverty.1 2 They have ety that is exclusionary, and generally target people
rallied their base against inclusive and anti-racist of color, women, LGBTQ people, religious minori-
education and introduced a slew of bills that would ties, immigrants and non-Christians.
allow discrimination against transgender people and The SPLC tracks both hate groups and anti-
gut the teaching of Black history.3 Attempts to ban government extremist groups – which, combined,
books are on the rise, targeting materials that dis- make up some of the most extreme elements of the
cuss race, sexuality and gender.4 Some Republican hard right. Hate groups vilify others based on such
members of Congress have worked together with immutable characteristics as race, religion and gen-
open white nationalists and promoted the racist der identity, while groups in the antigovernment
“great replacement” conspiracy theory that has movement believe that the federal government is
inspired numerous deadly terror attacks.5 They tyrannical, and traffic in conspiracy theories that
have scapegoated the Asian American community often malign the same marginalized communities
for COVID-19, harassed public health officials and that hate groups target. These groups often over-
election administrators, celebrated a vigilante who lap and work alongside one another. Over the past
killed two protesters at a Black Lives Matter dem- year, they have converged around a willingness to
onstration, and defended insurrectionists. engage in political violence, either inflict or accept
These actions discourage and even prevent peo- harm, and deny legally established rights to histor-
ple from marginalized groups from fully participat- ically oppressed groups of people.
ing in the political sphere and normalize the use of In 2021, the SPLC documented 1,221 active
intimidation, force and violence against people the hate and antigovernment extremist groups across
right deems threatening to their agenda. In many the United States. After reaching a historic high of
instances – especially the assault on education – 1,021 in 2018, hate group numbers have fallen for
they are designed to chill any discussion of racism the third year in a row, to 733 in 2021. The number
and other forms of discrimination. of antigovernment groups, too, has fallen from 566
Extremist groups have also found ways to insert in 2020 to 488 in 2021. Rather than demonstrating
themselves into mainstream politics. In the after- a decline in the power of the far right, the drop-
math of Jan. 6, they shifted their efforts to local ping numbers of organized hate and antigovern-
politics, focusing especially on COVID safety pro- ment groups suggest that the extremist ideas that
tocols and school curricula. Hard-right organi- mobilize them now operate more openly in the
zations disrupted school board and city council political mainstream. Roughly half of likely voters,
meetings around the country and, in the process, for instance, believe that the Jan. 6 insurrectionists
created space for more extreme and bigoted voices. who were arrested and jailed are “political prison-
As a result, public servants have experienced a wave ers”6 – an idea that was promoted by such groups
of threats that will likely continue as the country as the Proud Boys in the months following the siege
heads toward the 2022 midterms. and was then advanced by some Republican elected
officials and conservative media pundits. Extremist
Meeting the challenge of the hard right organizing doesn’t need to take place in fringe hate
The antidemocratic hard right described in this groups when right-wing extremist narratives circu-
report is a social and political movement that rejects late widely, and their proponents hold real institu-
equality and pluralism, and through its actions tional and social power.
seeks to build a hierarchically ordered society in This does not mean the continued ascent of the
which certain groups of people hold more politi- hard right is inevitable. In 2020, the country gath-
cal, social and economic power than others. The ered to protest in the name of racial justice in what,
hard right is authoritarian and reactionary, and very in terms of participants, was possibly the largest

4 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

political mobilization the country has ever seen.7 Where extreme meets mainstream
The pandemic has wreaked havoc on communi- The growth of a mainstream reactionary right-
ties vulnerable to health and economic instability, wing movement in 2021 is inextricably linked to
but people have also used the crisis as an opportu- the powerful racial justice movement that mobi-
nity to organize and build solidarity. Workers across lized Americans in 2020. The movement for Black
the country and a variety of employment sectors lives forced the country to reckon with the realities
are unionizing to improve pay and working condi- of systemic anti-Black racism and police violence.
tions, and communities have organized to provide Its widespread resonance also ignited fear in the
mutual aid.8 9 People, especially in the Deep South, hard right, which mounted counter-efforts to main-
are working to expand and protect voting rights, tain and strengthen white supremacy. Trump and
despite an onslaught of voter-suppression laws. other reactionaries demonized the movement, and
Pushing back against rising authoritarianism painted Black Lives Matter activists, Democrats and
will require a holistic approach. To stop a move- the left broadly as an existential threat to the coun-
ment that openly decries democracy, lawmakers try. “The left-wing cultural revolution,” Trump said
need to reinforce democratic institutions – most in a September 2020 speech,10 “is designed to over-
immediately by protecting voting rights. The hard throw the American Revolution.”
right is now a mainstream political movement, and This backlash has historical precedent. During
traditional counterterror tools – including increas- Reconstruction, whites who wanted to maintain
ing law enforcement agencies’ surveillance and their supremacy founded the Klan to intimidate
intelligence gathering capabilities – are not suited newly emancipated Black people and violently
for blunting the movement’s growth. In addition, perpetuate a system of racial subjugation rooted
history shows they would likely lead to violations in slavery. In the civil rights era, white citizens,
of Americans’ civil liberties. The country needs to politicians and law enforcement worked together
address the threat of extremism as a social problem, to fight the freedom movement with violence and
which requires investment in social programs and an organized campaign of “massive resistance”
public health-inspired prevention measures. With to school desegregation.11 Repressive right-wing
good public policy, significant investment from gov- movements like this emerge during moments of
ernment and business, and on-the-ground commu- social change and are, according to Chip Berlet
nity organizing, the tide can be turned. and Matthew Lyons, two prominent scholars of

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 5

 Fox News host Tucker Carlson is among the most
prominent members of the right to promote the
racist “great replacement” conspiracy.

Jewish people and others. The myth is central to

the white nationalist movement, which in 2021
included 98 hate groups. Since 2018, extremists
inspired by the great replacement theory have com-
mitted terror attacks in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
Christchurch, New Zealand; Poway, California; and
El Paso, Texas. But as hard-right actors weaponize
America’s demographic changes to instill fear and
resentment, the myth has spread beyond terrorist
manifestos and into American living rooms.
In 2021, Tucker Carlson, whose Fox News show
is the most-viewed cable news program in the coun-
try, openly promoted the great replacement con-
the far right, “motivated or defined centrally by spiracy. “In political terms, this policy is called
backlash against liberation movements, social the great replacement, the replacement of legacy
reform, or revolution.”12 Or, as the historian Carol Americans with more obedient people from far-
Anderson put it, “The trigger for white rage, inev- away countries,” he said on air in September.16 His
itably, is Black advancement.”13 words opened space for others, including elected
The overwhelming majority of people arrested officials such as Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, who
for their role in the insurrection had no formal tweeted that Carlson was “CORRECT about
ties to right-wing groups. They came from all over Replacement Theory as he explains what is hap-
the country. The majority were employed. Most pening to America.” Officials in border states, where
were in their 40s and 50s, and they mostly get their white nationalist and antigovernment groups have
news from mainstream media.14 Among middle- “intercepted” and interrogated migrants,17 have espe-
aged, middle- and upper-class people, this illib- cially tried to ramp up fear of white replacement
eral political movement has found its footing and to undercut their political opposition. Democrats,
become thoroughly mainstream. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said on Fox News, are
Another factor tied together the people who took using immigration to “take over our country with-
part in the Capitol siege: “Counties with the most out firing a shot.”18
significant declines in the non-Hispanic White In response to the elected officials and other
population,” a University of Chicago study found, public figures citing the great replacement theory,
were “the most likely to produce insurrectionists.”15 Vincent James Foxx, a white nationalist who helped
Later polling conducted by the same University of organize the “Stop the Steal” movement, wrote on
Chicago researchers found that, among Americans Telegram: “We are the mainstream now. Our mes-
who believe the use of violence is justified to restore sage and worldview are inevitably the conclusions
Trump to the presidency, almost two-thirds also every conservative in the country will come to.”
believed that Black and Hispanic people in the
United States “will eventually have more rights than The right’s embrace of violence
whites.” Put another way, the hard-right movement In February, the Arizona congressman Rep. Paul
that supports the insurrection is motivated in large Gosar addressed a crowd at the America First
part by a desire to maintain white political hegemony. Political Action Conference (AFPAC).19 The event,
Fear of changes to the social status quo, in which held annually, is hosted by white nationalist
white people hold a privileged place, has helped fuel streamer Nick Fuentes, who stationed himself out-
the mainstreaming of the “great replacement” myth side the Capitol on Jan. 6 and told his followers to
ZUMA PRESS/ALAMY

– a conspiracy in which white people are being sys- “break down the barriers and disregard the police.”
tematically replaced by non-white immigrants at “White people founded this country. This coun-
the hands of leftists, Democrats, “multiculturalists,” try wouldn’t exist without white people. And white

6 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 people are done being bullied,” Fuentes told AFPAC
attendees in his speech, immediately after the sit-
ting Republican congressman spoke.
Gosar made news again later in the year when
he posted a video to Twitter of an anime version of
himself killing Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-
Cortez and attacking President Joe Biden. While
Gosar was eventually censured by the House of
Representatives for the tweet, his Republican col-
leagues shied away from condemning his actions.
Only two voted in favor of the censure.
Gosar’s tweet and the Republican failure to
respond are but one illustration of how much vio-
lent rhetoric and threats have been normalized on
the right. Political scientists and historians have
noted that, although political violence is certainly
not absent in America’s history, this moment is
unique because of the legitimacy that elected offi-
ZUMA PRESS/ALAMY; OCTAVIO JONES/ALAMY

cials, as well as the former president, have lent to

using violence as a political tool. “The elite endorse-
ment of political violence from factions of the
Republican Party is distinct for me from what we
saw in the 1960s,” Pomona College political scientist Reps. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL) have been leading
Omar Wasow told The New York Times.20 “Then, you voices in the Republican party promoting hard-right talking points.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 7

didn’t have – from a president on down – politicians ties at the time, but whom far-right extremists like
calling citizens to engage in violent resistance.” the Proud Boys have since exalted as a “hero” and
At his speech on Jan. 6, 2021, then-President “saint,” killed two protesters and maimed a third at
Trump told his followers and the members of a 2020 racial justice protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
his party, “Our country has been under siege for Rittenhouse was acquitted after testifying that he
a long time.” He said, “If you don’t fight like hell, fired in self-defense. “There is hope for this coun-
we’re not going to have a country anymore.” Other try,” Rep. Thomas Massie tweeted after learning the
Republicans have followed suit, suggesting only verdict.22 Others have made a show of vying to hire
extraordinary solutions, outside the normal polit- Rittenhouse as their intern, while the right-wing
ical process, are fit to meet the threat. Officials, campus organization Turning Point USA treated
including Rep. Madison Cawthorn, have cited the him like a celebrity at their America Fest 2021 event.
election fraud myth as evidence that violence could In a bizarre carnival-like atmosphere, Rittenhouse
become inevitable: “You know, if our election sys- received a standing ovation as he strolled onstage
tems continue to be rigged, and continue to be sto- for a panel discussion accompanied by pyrotech-
len, then it’s going to lead to one place, and it’s nics and his own theme song.
bloodshed,” he said at a North Carolina GOP event
in August. Proud Boys membership spikes
Republican voters, too, are shifting toward a While the overall number of hate groups declined
greater acceptance of political violence. According in 2021, some groups experienced rapid growth,
to research conducted by the Public Religion as well as increased influence and access to the
Research Institute, 30% of Republicans, and 39% political mainstream. The most dramatic rise hap-
of those who believe the 2020 election was stolen pened within the Proud Boys, a “Western chau-
from Trump, agree that “true American patriots vinist” men’s organization with a long history of
might have to resort to violence in order to save violence. In 2021, the SPLC documented 72 active
our country.”21 Proud Boys chapters across the country, up from
Perhaps no moment better illustrated the 43 the year before. The rise in Proud Boys chap-
extent to which some Republicans tolerate and ters is especially remarkable considering that at
even encourage violence than the way the party least 40 members of the group have been charged
celebrated the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse. The in relation to their role in the Jan. 6 insurrection.
teenager, who was not known to have extremist Their growth suggests the country has become

Hate Groups
1999 – 2021 1002
1018 1007 1020
932 939 954 940
926 917
888 892
844 838
803 784
751 762 733
708
676
602

457

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

8 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 Individuals dressed in the colors and paraphernalia of the
“Western chauvinist” Proud Boys joined protesters against
mandates related to COVID-19 on the National Mall in
Washington, D.C., in January 2022.

alarmingly fertile ground for their brand of as Trump’s foot soldiers, roughly 100 Proud Boys
LEAH MILLIS/REUTERS

authoritarian politics. descended on the Capitol on Jan. 6, and members

The Proud Boys spent the Trump years hosting of the group were among the first to enter the build-
rallies around the country that often descended into ing during the siege.
violent riots. With a handful of exceptions, they Like other far-right extremists, the Proud Boys
faced little interference from law enforcement, giv- have shied away from large-scale protests in the
ing the impression that they had the tacit approval aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection, especially those
of police. They built a vast organizational network held in Washington, D.C., out of fear of attracting
and, when Trump told the group to “stand back law enforcement attention. The group has contin-
and stand by” during the first presidential debate ued to organize, however. According to research
in 2020, they became a household name. Acting from VICE reporter Tess Owens, the Proud Boys

Antigovernment Groups
1999 – 2021 1274 1360
1096
998

874
824

689
623
612
576 566
512
488

217
194 158 171
143 152 147 149
132 131
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 9

 Members of the white nationalist Patriot Front preparing to
march with anti-abortion activists during the 49th annual
March for Life in Washington, D.C., in January 2022.

attended at least 114 public events in 2021, largely conducting business and they just change the
targeting local governments and community insti- mask mandate so we go away, that’s a win.” 24
tutions such as public schools.23 Students are also targets of right-wing mobi-
As the larger political right riled up their base lization. In a suburb of Chicago, Proud Boys
over issues including masking, vaccines and inclu- attended a November school board meeting to
sive curriculums in schools, groups like the Proud express their opposition to the school library’s
Boys have latched on, winning supporters, build- inclusion of Gender Queer, a memoir written by a
ing alliances across different interest groups and non-binary author. Members of the group taunted
normalizing their place within mainstream right- students who defended the book and accused one
wing spaces by entwining themselves in local polit- of being a pedophile. Students told a reporter
ical battles. They have attended and hosted rallies, at the Chicago Sun-Times that the Proud Boys’
menaced people at school board meetings and pro- actions were “unnerving” and “intimidating.”25
vided security at right-wing events. “Oh my good- In Nashua, New Hampshire, the school board
ness, thank God for the Proud Boys,” said a pastor began stationing police at its meetings after
whose anti-abortion event in Salem, Oregon, was Proud Boys and members of the neo-Nazi group
guarded by members of the group. NSC-131 began to attend. “This is my fourth year
This kind of local-level organizing has real on the board,” one member said, “and this is the
impacts on communities and local officials, first time we’ve needed to do this. It’s not good
who are subjected to threats and harassment. for our community.”26
KENT NISHIMURA /LOS ANGELES TIMES VIA GETTY IMAGES

While the Proud Boys have run a handful of can-

didates for local elected office, they primarily White Nationalist and Neo-Nazi groups
want to use their presence as a tool of intimi- continue to adapt
dation. Explaining why the Cape Fear Proud Even as the ideas that propel the white power
Boys were attending a school board meeting in movement gain more purchase among an increas-
North Carolina, a member told a reporter, “If ingly authoritarian Republican Party, its constituent
our presence escalates that pressure and makes groups have faced organizational challenges, due
it to the point where we become a distraction to in part to law enforcement pressure and civil suits.

10 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 After a series of deadly far-right attacks during the movement remains concentrated on influencing
the Trump presidency, the Department of Homeland mainstream politics, and nearly every indicator sug-
Security recognized in a 2020 threat assessment gests the political ground is fertile to their appeals
that white supremacist extremists are, and will unless diverse communities working together
remain, “the most persistent and lethal threat to the build resiliency through prevention, organizing
Homeland.” The report, along with later statements and education.
by the Biden administration, marked a larger shift Some white nationalist organizations, such as
within law enforcement and intelligence agencies Nick Fuentes’ America First Foundation, want to
away from foreign terrorist groups, which became exert power over the GOP and convince its mem-
the single-minded focus of federal counter-extrem- bers to openly embrace white nationalism. Others
ism efforts following the 9/11 attacks.27 are attempting to build infrastructure to challenge
As a result of the renewed focus on domestic mainstream institutions, including the National
extremism – which accelerated after the insurrec- Justice Party (NJP). Founded in 2020 by several
tion – the white power movement experienced a longtime activists in the white power movement,
slew of arrests in the last two years. In fall 2021, two NJP has become a hub for the movement. The group
members of the white nationalist group The Base hosts meetings throughout the year where represen-
were sentenced to nine years in prison after they tatives from a number of white nationalist groups
received a terrorism enhancement to gun charges can come together and collectively organize. An
stemming from 2020.28 Another was sentenced to October 2021 meeting gathered about 150 attendees.
20 years for his role in a conspiracy to murder a One of those groups is Patriot Front, which has
couple involved in antifascist activism.29 42 chapters nationwide.31 In 2021, Patriot Front
Partially as an attempt to evade authorities and held multiple “flash” demonstrations around the
antifascist infiltrators, neo-Nazi groups, whose country and, according to leaked internal commu-
numbers dipped from 63 groups in 2020 to 54 in nications, defaced George Floyd and Black Lives
2021, organized in more decentralized fashion. Matter murals.32 Patriot Front, like many extrem-
Prominent voices in the movement now encour- ist groups, at times uses mainstream social media
age members of neo-Nazi online communities to spread their propaganda. During a December
to maintain anonymity and congregate in diffuse demonstration in Washington, D.C., that included
online communities rather than join public-facing
groups with names and membership vetting pro-
cedures. Extremists not associated with a defined
group have still been arrested, showing the strategy
has returned mixed results.30
In addition to attracting attention from law
enforcement, the energy of the white power move-
ment was dampened by the outcome of the Sines v.
Kessler trial, a civil suit brought by Integrity First In the wake of
for America against the organizers of the 2017 Unite
the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. On Nov. Jan. 6, the
23, 2021, jurors found all the defendants liable on
a number of charges, including civil conspiracy, hard right is
under Virginia state law. Combined, they face $25
million in damages.
reorganizing,
Though the increased attention of civil author-
ities has created major challenges to the white
re-strategizing
power movement, it’s clear that the criminal legal and planning to
system, on its own, cannot adequately address the
problem of far-right extremism. A large subset of emerge stronger.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 11

about 100 members marching through the National Big Tech censorship and the anti-White, anti-
Mall, a Patriot Front member created a fake Twitter Christian, and anti-American woke economy, we
account to bring their action to mainstream atten- don’t just sit around and complain about it like our
tion: “HAPPENING NOW: About 500 men with useless politicians do,” Torba posted to Gab’s web-
riot shields are marching in #WashingtonDC,” the site in June. “We take action and start building.”35
account tweeted, gaining more than 1,000 retweets. The company recently launched an ad platform
Extremists easily get around bans on social and says it will soon offer a payment processor.
media platforms, often simply creating new user- The services Gab, Chthonic and others offer sug-
names and continuing to post. They also find ways gest that the white power movement is building
to make algorithms work to amplify their content, increasingly resilient online services, which can
including using specific words or hashtags repeat- allow extremists to spread and monetize their con-
edly to make them appear under the “Trending tent while remaining impervious to public pres-
on Twitter” section. During the Jan. 6 insurrec- sure or government regulation.
tion, for instance, members of the far right used
Twitter to spread the lie that antifa attacked the The Antigovernment Movement takes a hit,
Capitol – a conspiracy later repeated on the House but gets back up bruised and battered
floor.33 More broadly, platforms such as Twitter The number of antigovernment groups decreased
and Facebook have failed for years to adequately in 2021, down by 79 from 2020 for a total of 488
enforce their own terms of service. Both compa- in 2021. This trend has held fast since antigovern-
nies operate under a libertarian ethos, allowing ment group numbers peaked in the 2010s with the
white supremacist and other hateful and danger- rise of the tea party movement. Like hate groups,
ous content on their platforms. They have invested the current decrease in organizational numbers
inadequate resources into meaningful content mod- does not reflect a lack of popularity of antigov-
eration despite repeated promises to do so, and they ernment ideology, nor a significant decrease in the
tend to remove extremist content or individuals level of supporters and participation in movement
only after heavy public pressure. activities. The primary grievances that underpin
Hate groups and other extremists do not solely the movement – in particular, distrust of the fed-
rely on mainstream social media platforms to eral government and an absolutist take on gun
spread their message – they are increasingly using rights – are widespread within the United States.
“alt-tech” platforms that are often advertised as Trust in the federal government has been declin-
“free speech” alternatives to places like Twitter and ing over the last two decades and, in 2021, only
Facebook. On these platforms, users don’t have to 39% of Americans said they trusted the federal
worry about content moderation. These include government to handle domestic issues.36 While
video platforms like Bitchute and Odysee and social Americans support passing stricter gun laws,37 a
media sites like Gab. The startup Chthonic Software powerful minority has pushed states to continue
helped create a monetized streaming site for Nick easing restrictions on firearms and sowed the
Fuentes and other extremist livestreamers after conspiratorial belief that the government could
many were banned from other sites in the after- someday confiscate Americans’ guns.38 Gun sales
math of Jan. 6.34 in 2020 and 2021 reached historic levels, further
Gab has for years been a haven for racist and setting the stage for political violence.39
antisemites. The man who is charged with kill- While the antigovernment movement has
ing 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue in always maintained some national communica-
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2018 was a user and tions infrastructure, including online forums,
posted on the site immediately before the attack. social media helped build national organizations
In the past year, Gab CEO Andrew Torba has like the Oath Keepers and helped to popularize
expanded the services offered on the platform to antigovernment imagery like the Gadsden Flag.
create what he calls a “parallel society.” “At Gab During his presidency, Trump further legitimized
when we recognize a problem in the world, like the movements, particularly as states around the

12 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 Leader of the antigovernment extremist organization
People’s Rights Ammon Bundy speaks to the public in
January 2022 in Shelley, Idaho.

country implemented public health measures in with the deplatforming on Facebook of some 2,000
the first months of the pandemic. “LIBERATE antigovernment associated pages in fall 2020, has
MINNESOTA!,” “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” and forced groups in the movement to reorganize. As
“LIBERATE VIRGINIA,” he tweeted in 2020, a result, their activity has become more dispersed
adding to the last tweet: “And save your great 2nd and focused on localized activities. After the insur-
Amendment. It is under siege!”40 This kind of rhet- rection, Oath Keeper chapter head Doug Smith said,
oric bolstered the power of the movement and read “As far as Jan. 6, I will never attach my name or the
like a call to arms for extremists. men in this state to Oath Keepers again.” The North
The Jan. 6 attack was the most public moment Carolina chapter voted to unaffiliate and break with
for the antigovernment movement since the the national organization.
Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. Like Oklahoma Since the insurrection, factions of the far right
City, the violence of Jan. 6 has brought new pres- have coalesced around several hot-button issues with
sure on the movement, but that pressure has not widespread right-wing support, including refusing
necessarily reduced its influence. Over 700 indi- to acknowledge Biden’s win. Issues fueling antigov-
viduals have been charged with a variety of crimes ernment extremists include organizing against what
for their participation in the insurrection, includ- they perceive to be adoption of critical race theory
ing 22 members of the Oath Keepers and at least (CRT) in public schools, against vaccine and mask
four members of the Three Percenters. Eleven Oath mandates, and in opposition to immigration.
Keepers and the group’s founder, Stewart Rhodes, The antigovernment movement couches its
have been charged with seditious conspiracy for extremist ideas under the language of patriotism.
NATALIE BEHRING/GETTY IMAGES

their role, a rare and notably serious charge. Ammon Bundy’s People’s Rights, in particular, has
Following Jan. 6, the antigovernment movement made use of this rhetoric. Bundy is well known for
has faced greater scrutiny by the public, media, law engineering armed standoffs in 2016 at the Malheur
enforcement, policy makers, tech and social media Refuge in Oregon and, in 2014, on federally leased
companies, and lawmakers. That scrutiny, along lands in Nevada. In 2021, People’s Rights activists

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 13

Oath Keepers militia founder Stewart Rhodes holds a radio as
he departs with volunteers from a rally held by U.S. President
Donald Trump in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Oct. 10, 2019.

held a variety of small-scale demonstrations for against the U.S. Federal Government and tribal gov-
individual grievances over taxes, property rights ernments at the local level. The focus has heavily
and natural resource availability. Throughout 2020 targeted local public health boards, school boards
and 2021, Bundy organized a series of stunts and and elections administration officials.
acts of political intimidation while purposefully The John Birch Society and QAnon enthusi-
disobeying COVID-19 public health measures that asts have also peddled anti-vaccine misinforma-
resulted in his arrest. Bundy, like several antigov- tion and anti-mask propaganda, formed protests
ernment activists in the second half of 2021, also and rallies, and caused disturbances in front of
began a campaign for political office in Idaho for hospitals and public officials’ homes. Conspiracy
the 2022 midterm elections. propagandists have found a niche audience with
In the Southwest, militias and other extremists COVID-19 vaccine skeptics, using existing anti-
have collaborated to set up camps in the desert tar- government mistrust, corporate skepticism and a
geting migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. long historical relationship with a growing natu-
During 2021, hard-right extremists continued to ral-health sector to push the false ideas of vaccine
harass humanitarian aid groups, some using their danger. Other COVID-19 conspiracy theories are
relationships with border patrol agents to circum- extensions of previous iterations of falsities about
vent and legitimize their vigilante activities. The government population control, often rooted in
activities of militia groups have gone unchecked, fears of demographic shifts, and coded antisemitic
and groups continue to illegally detain migrants. conspiracies about a vaccine push by a cabal of
After four years of national alignment with the nefarious actors.
JIM URQUHART/REUTERS

Trump administration, antigovernment extremists Organized by the Constitutional Sheriffs and

have returned to their bread-and-butter focus on Peace Officers Association (CSPOA) and Protect
attacking local democratic institutions and rallying America Now (PAN), many constitutional sheriffs

14 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 have promoted COVID-19 conspiracy theories and
refused to enforce health guidelines enacted by their
lawmakers. More than 40 sheriffs attended a CSPOA
event in Texas in February, and three county com-
missions purchased lifetime memberships in the
association. CSPOA leader Richard Mack spent 2021
touring the country recruiting sheriffs and speaking
at events, alongside QAnon adherents, antisemites
and sovereign citizens. PAN also signed onto a letter
to the president about the border promoted by SPLC
designated anti-immigrant hate group Federation
for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).
On many occasions, promoters of a wide variety
of conspiracy theories and antigovernment ideol-
ogies have converged on single events to network.
This has included the Reawaken America and Arise
USA event tours featuring a mix of known anti-
government extremists, alternative health leaders,
politicians and political advisors, and activists in
the Patriot movement associated with the religious
right. Many of the hallmark antigovernment events
and tours featured Jan. 6 participants and organiz-
ers and perpetuated the “Big Lie” of a stolen elec-
tion. These events supported the many regressive Frank Gaffney, founder and president of the anti-Muslim hate
group Center for Security Policy, and Brigitte Gabriel, founder
policy changes to voting rights that stained state and president of the anti-Muslim hate group ACT for America.
Houses around the country in 2021.
The coalescing of QAnon adherents with sov-
ereign citizens, constitutional sheriffs and militia
members, along with conspiracy-minded anti-mask- from more established anti-Muslim think tanks
ers and anti-vaxxers, has produced an environment operating inside the Beltway to localized groups
where groups can openly recruit and market their focusing on state and county issues. Key figures
ideas to each other and the general public. in the network, such as Brigitte Gabriel and Frank
Gaffney, remain politically connected and influ-
Mainstream hate reorients without the ential. One of the largest anti-Muslim organiza-
White House in its pocket tions, ACT for America, decreased its chapters
Hate groups continue to permeate mainstream numbers once again. Many of the group’s chap-
society and politics with bigoted anti-LGBTQ, ters have broken off to form independent orga-
WIN MCNAMEE/GETTY IMAGES; CHERISS MAY/NURPHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES

anti-immigrant, and anti-Muslim ideas and poli- nizations, such as AlertAmerica.News, Last
cies. These groups were in recovery mode follow- Chance Patriots, Red-Green Axis Exposed and
ing Trump’s loss, as they saw some rollbacks by the G416 Patriots.
Biden administration of the most flagrantly anti- Some groups moved from focused anti-Muslim
immigrant Trump policies, such as the attempt to ideology to more generalized hate issues and con-
restrict entry into the U.S. from a range of major- spiracies about inclusive education, the Black Lives
ity-Muslim countries. Matter movement and COVID-19. In the last quarter
SPLC documented 50 anti-Muslim groups of 2021, anti-Muslim groups leaned into their big-
active in the U.S. in 2021. They represent a sophis- otry as the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
ticated, well-funded network dedicated to vilify- resulted in a new round of refugee resettlement in
ing Muslims and their faith. This network spans communities around the U.S.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 15

 The LGBTQ rights movement gained an ally in do what federal officials and lawmakers refuse to
the Biden-Harris administration and continues to do: end the invasion at the U.S. southern border
see positive movement at the local and business and restore both order and sovereignty.”
level, but hate groups mobilized in 2021 to push Several high-ranking Trump administration
back and attempt to advance anti-LGBTQ bigotry. officials filled staff positions at various anti-immi-
SPLC documented 65 groups in 2021 that were grant hate groups. For example, Tom Homan,
focused on regressive state legislative policies, Trump’s acting director of Immigration and
pushing harmful conversion “therapy,” vilifying Customs Enforcement from 2017 to 2018, and Mark
trans people, banning books that were LGBTQ- Morgan, Trump’s acting director of ICE and U.S.
welcoming, and taking on school boards on anti- Customs and Border Protection, are both senior
LGBTQ topics. Many new locally focused “parent” fellows at FAIR.
organizations leaned into segregationist language of The implications of these hard-right activi-
“parent choice” to oppose masking, vaccination and ties are grave. White supremacy perpetuates sys-
LGBTQ rights. Groups like Mass Resistance coor- temic racism. As a result, communities of color,
dinated local action targeting school boards and LGBTQ people, immigrants and refugees, and reli-
libraries in anti-transgender attacks. gious minorities face continued threats, intimida-
These modern reactionary campaigns are mod- tion, violence and bias. Nearly one out of every
eled on efforts from the 1980s and 1990s, when the four Jewish people in the U.S. reported experi-
right used fear of the HIV epidemic to demonize the encing antisemitism in the past year. Advocacy
LGBTQ community in an attempt to kneecap their groups for both Muslim and Jewish American
movement for equal rights. In the previous decades people reported a spike in hate crimes, harass-
they passed anti-LGBTQ public school curriculum ment, bullying and discrimination. In New York,
laws, and today these groups are advocating book reports of subway bias incidents that targeted
bans and attacking LGBTQ educators. Likewise, the Asian Americans increased 233% from 2020. The
John Birch Society, which opposed school deseg- Human Rights Campaign called 2021 the deadli-
regation, continues with the same antigovernment est year on record, documenting that at least 57
communist conspiracies, this time using them to transgender and gender non-conforming people
oppose COVID-19 masking and other “culture war” were killed in the U.S.
issues to mobilize parents into hard-right political
action. John Birch Society founding board member Conclusion
Fred Koch’s legacy continues, with his descendants’ Jan. 6 should be recognized for what it was: a full-
philanthropic organizations engaging in astroturf- on violent assault on democracy that showcased the
ing anti-CRT campaigns across the country and try- strength of the hard right. In the wake of that day,
ing to hide their national agenda and make it look the hard right is reorganizing, re-strategizing and
like it originated locally. planning to emerge stronger. Throughout 2021, the
Anti-immigrant hate groups also reoriented hard right hit the streets across the U.S., blocked
their strategy to state government and local important policy, attacked democratic institutions,
elected officials, with a focus on attorneys general engaged in violence and energized their base of sup-
and sheriffs in U.S. Southern border states. Dan porters. The 12 months that followed Jan. 6 showed
Stein, president of FAIR, stated it clearly: “In this beyond a doubt that they will not go quietly.
environment, our state legislatures and gover- Such institutions as SPLC, the media, Congress,
nors are the last line of defense.” Ken Cuccinelli, the Justice Department and law enforcement are
a former Virginia Attorney General and Trump working to hold accountable the actors and insti-
Homeland Security official, recently published a gators of Jan. 6 and those that continue to perpe-
policy brief at the Center for Renewing America trate harm to communities and democracy. This
on the strategy and concluded, “Given the federal accountability is incredibly important and can
government’s dereliction of duty, it is now incum- have a real impact, but it will be only temporary
bent on governors and states to fill the void and if it becomes too focused on individual criminal

16 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 acts. The problems are societal and require holis- Trump supporters clash with police as they try to storm the
tic solutions. U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021.
Historically, the United States has relied heavily
on law enforcement, intelligence agencies and the to overthrow the government, threaten demo-
criminal legal system to address social problems. cratic institutions and inflict harm on others. But
That power has repeatedly been abused and dispro- the United States must also look for ways to build
portionately wielded against progressive activists, a more resilient democracy. Communities and gov-
immigrant communities, communities of color and ernments need to adopt a public health approach
religious minority groups. After the Sept. 11 attacks, to preventing extremism by engaging communi-
intelligence and law enforcement agencies engaged ties, mental health experts, social workers and,
in racial profiling, spying on Muslim communities in especially, people involved in the day-to-day lives
the name of national security.41 Now, there are calls of young people.
to use the same set of tools against white suprem- Even more, a reinvigorated vision of a more
acists, and even to expand counterterrorism tools inclusive democracy is necessary, one that creates
by creating a domestic terrorism statute. In fact, a stark alternative away from the destructive path of
the government already has the power to effec- the hard right. That means expanding and protect-
tively prosecute extremists,42 a fact supported by ing access to voting, creating legislation to protect
recent convictions against white supremacists and people who face discrimination, promoting civics
JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

the charges brought against more than 700 people education and teaching students an anti-racist cur-
connected to the insurrection.43 riculum, and ensuring all Americans have health-
A national security-centric approach will never care, housing and other vital services so they can
be able to blunt a mainstream authoritarian polit- lead safe and dignified lives.
ical movement. Accountability matters, and there History tells us that the threat is real, but it also
will be legal consequences for those that attempt reminds us that we can turn the tide.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 17

The
Extreme
Right’s
Pivot to
(Live)
Video
By Hannah Gais

throughout 2021 , right-

wing extremists increasingly
embraced livestreaming tech-
nologies as their preferred tool
for organization, fundraising
and propaganda.
The Southern Poverty Law
Center (SPLC) has tracked
extremists from a range of far-
right ideologies gravitating
toward a plethora of livestream-
ing video platforms. In part, this
pivot to live video content mir-
rors the medium’s popular-
ity among mainstream social
media users, many of whom
have turned to livestreaming
platforms for entertainment.
But it also reflects a tactical
shift among extremists toward
sites that provide an infrastruc-
ture for fundraising, promoting
in-person events and preserving
an archive of their work.
“Extremists and hate groups
are typically early adopters of
new technology, particularly
anything that can be used for
propagandizing, recruitment or

Illustration by Jim Cooke

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 19
‘Alt-tech’ violent content and hate speech on the platform.
Far-right extremists began gravitating toward so-
platforms called “alt-tech” sites.44 While the “alt-tech” eco-
system is not exclusive to the radical right, in this
have provided case the term refers to platforms that provide a
haven through limited or no content modera-
a fruitful tion for those users who have been, or at least
risk being, locked out of mainstream social media
fundraising sites for violating their terms of service, usually

outlet for on hate speech.

“YouTube as we know it is over. They will burn
extremists. themselves to the ground to ruin alt voices from
getting out. Go to alt sources now,” Red Ice TV, a
prominent white nationalist site, tweeted on Dec. 3,
2019, less than two months after YouTube banned
harassment. With video livestreaming, they have the show permanently.45
found a low-cost, engaging way to get their mes- If someone is looking for a substitute for
sage out, and unfortunately, they are making money YouTube, they can turn to a variety of alterna-
at it too,” Megan Squire, an Elon University profes- tive platforms, some of which have explicitly mar-
sor and SPLC senior fellow, said in an interview. keted themselves as “free speech” havens.46 There’s
Livestreaming content presents challenges DLive, a youth-targeted gaming site; Rumble, the
to stopping the spread of hateful content online. Peter Thiel-funded video streaming site popular
It is ephemeral – meaning content is not always with pro-Trump conservatives;47 Trovo, another
automatically saved on a site, so a streamer may gaming-focused video platform; Brighteon, one
choose to remove a stream with content that vio- of the platforms that a coalition of state attorneys
lates a platform’s terms of service after a broadcast general listed in early 2021 in a letter for its wealth
and before site moderators can act. In addition, of medical disinformation around the COVID-19
some sites rely on users to report egregious live pandemic;48 or Odysee, a video streaming site that
content. In other words, even if a video is flagged allows creators to monetize their content through
for review, moderation teams may not act until a cryptocurrency. For more options for monetiza-
livestream has already concluded. Finally, a con- tion, creators can turn to SubscribeStar, a clone of
stellation of “alt-tech” sites, some of which were the subscription service Patreon, or Entropy, a soft-
built by and for the far right, operate with minimal ware that works in conjunction with YouTube or
or no content moderation, ensuring that extrem- other livestreaming platforms to provide an alter-
ists can continue to raise money and promote their native space for livestreamers to raise money off
activities unimpeded. their work and interact with viewers. A handful of
extremist creators have launched their own plat-
‘YouTube as we know it is over’ forms as well.
While people have been broadcasting live video Among the broader far right, the popularity of
content over the internet since the 1990s, today’s livestreaming is reflected in its presence at events.
decentralized right-wing extremist livestreaming SPLC reviewed criminal complaints against alleged
ecosystem is a reaction to policy changes on main- participants in the Jan. 6 insurrection and found ref-
stream platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. erences to a variety of platforms with livestream-
In late 2019, in response to real-world violence ing capabilities, including Periscope, DLive, Twitch,
and charges that YouTube’s recommendation YouTube, Odysee and others. Hatewatch, the publish-
algorithm was propping up extremist content, ing arm of SPLC’s Intelligence Project, documented
the popular video streaming site began taking a at least five DLive accounts streaming from the Jan.
more systematic approach to cracking down on 6 “Stop the Steal” rally-turned-insurrection. 49

20 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 “Every large-scale or even medium-scale [dem- Alex Jones speaks as the Capitol Building is stormed by
onstration]: political events, anti-lockdown demon- Trump supporters on Jan. 6, 2021.
strations – they’re all going to have a livestreaming
element,” Ciaran O’Connor, an analyst at the Institute
for Strategic Dialogue, told SPLC in an interview. – between April and October of 2020. Following
“Content is king for these people. That’s what Trump’s electoral loss and Fuentes’ involvement in
drives a lot this: they just want to create content the “Stop the Steal” movement, Fuentes increased his
that they can share online, they can get donations average to $600 per day on DLive, according to data
and views off of, [and] they can share later on as from SPLC senior fellow Squire.51 On Jan. 9, 2021,
clips,” he said. DLive banned him from the site, along with several
other users who either entered or were outside the
Funding hate by going live Capitol during the insurrection.
“Alt-tech” platforms generally don’t command the Other right-wing extremist livestreamers have
same audience size – and, thus, the same access turned to SubscribeStar, a subscription-based site.
to possible donors – as YouTube and Twitch. Still, Alex Kaplan, a senior researcher at Media Matters
they have provided a fruitful fundraising outlet for for America and the author of a December 2021
extremists, some of whom have netted annual earn- report examining 19 SubscribeStar accounts asso-
ings in the low six figures off streaming alone. ciated with far-right extremists,52 told SPLC in an
One of these is Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist email that the platform “has allowed [the far right]
livestreamer and “Stop the Steal” proponent whose to raise significant amounts of money – while
“America First” show has aired on a variety of plat- also profiting off of their content.” (SubscribeStar
forms since fall 2017. As Hatewatch reported in late takes a 5% cut, at least, of users’ earnings.) In
2020,50 Fuentes was one of the top earners among total, Kaplan found that these 19 accounts raked
a pool of 56 right-wing extremists on the youth-tar- in nearly $29,000 a month. The group’s top earner,
geted platform DLive, yielding an average of $326 per the QAnon-supporting video show SGT Report,53
AP IMAGES

day – an amount equal to a yearly salary of $119,000 made at least $4,472 a month through the site,

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 21

roughly equivalent to a $54,000 yearly salary. livestreamer’s fanbase.55 For instance, donors may
Others included multimillionaire conspiracy the- be granted chat moderation privileges or unique
orist and Infowars founder Alex Jones ($4,261 per shoutouts on a particular stream.
month); Red Ice TV ($3,910 per month); Vincent
James Foxx, a Fuentes associate and former pro- Livestreaming’s role in community building
pagandist for the white nationalist street-fighting As with podcasts, the extreme right has used
club Rise Above Movement ($3,346 per month); and livestreaming to promote events, propagate new
Owen Shroyer, an Infowars host who was arrested ideas, network across and within ideologies, and
on charges related to his alleged participation in the above all, build a community. Researchers pointed
Capitol insurrection ($1,950 per month). to the intimacy livestreaming allows as crucial to
Unlike buying merchandise or a subscription, its appeal.
livestreaming platforms encourage engagement “Creators get to speak to audience members in
between donors and creators. On YouTube, DLive, real time, over great spans of time, and audiences
Trovo, Odysee, Entropy and the like, users can frequently get to interact directly with the creators,”
comment and donate in real time during a stream. Lewis, the author of the 2018 report on YouTube
Scholars have pointed to a reciprocal relationship and a Ph.D. candidate at Stanford University whose
between donors and content creators, particularly work focuses on online political communities, told
regarding the role donations can play in influenc- SPLC in an email. “This close dynamic is important
ing content. Becca Lewis, author of a 2018 report for all creators trying to make a living from audi-
on right-wing networks on YouTube, noted that ence subscriptions and donations, but it’s especially
audience feedback through the site’s “super chats” important for white and male supremacist creators,
– where viewers could comment on streams and who are also trying to impart their extremist mes-
donate in real time – could encourage content cre- saging to their audiences.”
ators to read shocking or offensive statements on These close-knit communities can, in turn,
screen.54 Likewise, Squire observed in a 2021 paper ensure that a livestreamer’s messaging proliferates
focused on DLive that large-scale donors could take across platforms. O’Connor pointed to Paul Miller, a
on a reputation of their own within a particular neo-Nazi known as “Gypsy Crusader” online, who
recorded himself threatening and spewing racist
slurs at users on the video chat app Omegle.56 Even
though Miller’s career as a livestreamer spanned
less than a year, O’Connor noted, his fans continue
to share clips of his material on a slew of social
media sites, including mainstream ones like TikTok.
These flourishing fanbases not only benefit
extremists in terms of their reach, but they also
make it possible for some to harness their own
e-celebrity to hold real-world events or launch their
own organizations.
In spring 2021, livestreamer Owen Benjamin, a
self-styled antisemitic comedian who once claimed
the Holocaust was Hitler’s effort to “clean [Germany]
MATHEW IMAGING/WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES

of parasites,” purchased a 10-acre lot of land in rural

Idaho that he’s pitched as a “refuge” for his fans.
Benjamin began fundraising for the compound in
2020, according to The Daily Beast, at which point
he encouraged his supporters, who call themselves
Antisemitic comedian Owen Benjamin performing in 2016. “bears,” to donate to the cause in exchange for camp-
ing rights.57 Had Benjamin been able to secure funds

22 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 Extremist Earners on DLive
April 2020-February 2021

nickjfuentes $93,897.13

PatrickCasey $79,863.29

OwenBenjaminComedy $79,711.48

PeteSantilli $71,671.48

JadenMcNeil $66,234.14

theralphretort $43,191.11

SubCultured $33,151.07

BeardsonBeardly $29,765.02

shalit $27,574.21

RedIceTV $27,409.20

SOURCE:DLIVE

for a 200-acre piece of land, he told Lana Lokteff of Researchers pointed to the challenges of mod-
Red Ice TV on Jan. 4, he had discussed doing “tacti- erating and monitoring livestreaming content.
cal training courses for donors.” These ranged from the length of broadcasts –
Likewise, Fuentes used his livestream fandom to some of which can be upwards of three hours
publicly launch his own nonprofit political organi- long – to the technical shortcomings of the plat-
zation in early 2021. In the days before his annual forms involved. Jared Holt, a resident fellow at the
America First Political Action Conference (AFPAC) Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab
– which is held each year alongside the more main- whose work focuses on domestic extremism, told
stream Conservative Political Action Conference SPLC that livestreaming has long been “a place
(CPAC) – Fuentes announced that he would be where things fall through the cracks.”
spearheading the America First Foundation, a “Moderating live video content has often
501(c)4 organization. Such groups collect dona- proved challenging for social media platforms
tions like a traditional nonprofit, but they have a since the content is being produced in near-real-
wider latitude to engage in political activity such time and can often be changed or removed after a
as lobbying and electioneering. stream to try to avoid would-be automated mod-
eration against their channels. This content strat-
‘Where things fall through the cracks’ egy also creates additional, though not impossible,
The prevalence of livestreaming comes with its own challenges for researchers focused on hate move-
set of unique challenges to researchers, journalists ments,” Holt said.
and the tech companies responsible for moderat- Most platforms also depend on users to report
ing hateful content. egregious content in livestreams. This reliance on

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 23

 Nick Fuentes
Deplatformed: A White
Nationalist’s Journey
user-generated reports has already had disastrous Through Alt-Tech
consequences. In 2019, white supremacist terrorists
in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Halle, Germany,
used Facebook Live and Twitch, respectively, to By Hannah Gais
broadcast their attacks in real time and rack up
thousands of views. In the case of Christchurch, Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist livestreamer and
Facebook said in a statement posted March 18, 2019, proponent of the anti-democratic “Stop the Steal”
that it received its first user report 29 minutes after movement, spent much of 2021 jumping from one
the attacker, Brenton Tarrant, began livestreaming. streaming platform to another following a ban from
Before Facebook took down the original video, it the youth-targeted streaming platform DLive in the
was viewed around 4,000 times. wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Certain “alt-tech” platforms may not even offer a On Jan. 9, 2021, three days after Fuentes told
mechanism for reporting content – and even if they insurrectionists to “keep moving towards the
do, they may choose to overlook extremist activ- Capitol” and “break down the barriers and disre-
ity. In May, The Guardian reported that an executive gard the police,”60 DLive announced it had banned
at Odysee told moderators that a “Nazi that makes Fuentes, and several others, from the platform on the
videos about the superiority of the white race” was basis of “inciting violent and illegal activities.” Prior
not enough to warrant removing content from the to his DLive ban, the Southern Poverty Law Center
site.58 And some tech platforms even, directly or Intelligence Project’s publishing arm, Hatewatch,
indirectly, encourage or facilitate extremism. As reported that Fuentes was one of the top earners on
Hatewatch reported in December, an executive from the platform, on track to earn a salary of $118,000 per
Entropy announced he had constructed a custom year. During the “Stop the Steal” protests in late 2020
piece of software for Fuentes, the white national- and early 2021, Hatewatch learned that Fuentes
ist “Stop the Steal” proponent, after Entropy’s pay- received $43,822.86 in donations on DLive.61
ment processor requested the company cut ties Fuentes’ efforts to construct a viable alternative
with him.59 platform following his DLive ban illustrates the hur-
“As long as there are platforms that allow dles right-wing extremists face after deplatforming.
some form of monetization and either refuse (“Deplatforming” refers to the action of tech compa-
to enforce their rules or do not care about who nies stopping a person or group, particularly extrem-
is using their platforms, white nationalists and ists, from using their services.)
other extremists will continue to have homes to “This has been the hardest year of my entire life,”
fund their hate and conspiracy theories,” Alex Fuentes said on a Dec. 23, 2021, livestream, refer-
Kaplan, the author of the Media Matters report encing these struggles. “We started out the year with
on SubscribeStar, told SPLC. everything I had built totally destroyed – the financial
But even with mainstream tech companies that aspect of it, the streaming aspect of it, and even the
have been receptive to criticisms of their handling infrastructure on the business side.”
of extremist content, researchers suggested that SPLC tracked Fuentes’ activities after DLive
platforms’ moderation policies should be consid- banned him from the platform and found that he
ered dynamic. used a variety of tactics to keep his weeknight show,
“We need to view tech company content poli- “America First,” up and running.
cies as an ongoing, evolving process. That is, there
will never be a point where companies reach a ‘suf- k On Jan. 11, 2021, Fuentes announced on Telegram
ficient’ policy approach and can rest on their lau- that he had been working “around the clock” to launch
rels,” Lewis told the SPLC. his own streaming site in the immediate aftermath of
REUTERS/MIKE THEILER

“Online extremists are constantly changing tac- the DLive ban. Due to technical issues, Fuentes and his
tics, and tech companies will have to constantly team were unable to stream his show on the new plat-
keep up,” she added. form until Jan. 15.

24 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 White nationalist activist Nick Fuentes
holds a rally at the Michigan state Capitol
in November 2020.

k The independent platform didn’t last, however. k Fuentes continued to rely on an external platform,
On Jan. 18, SPLC identified that Fuentes was using Entropy, to process donations and provide a chat
YouTube to stream his show, even though the video for users during his livestreams. But as Hatewatch
streaming site had banned him on Feb. 14, 2020. reported in December, Fuentes announced during a
Through its examination of his site’s source code, Nov. 29 broadcast of “America First” that Entropy’s
SPLC determined that Fuentes had managed to return payment processer forced the company to drop him as
to YouTube. When SPLC reached out to YouTube on a client. Emmanuel Constantinidis, founder and CEO of
Jan. 20, 2021, a representative said they had termi- Chthonic, the company that owns Entropy, reassured
nated multiple channels for attempting to circumvent users of his software that they had “built [Fuentes] a
Fuentes’ ban from the platform. replacement.” In a statement posted on the messag-
k That same day, Fuentes gave a special shout-out ing app Discord, Constantinidis added, “It’s a compli-
to members of the tech team that had supported him cated story, but sufficed to say we won’t leave anyone
through his efforts to find an alternative to DLive. As out to dry.”
Hatewatch reported in November,62 among those
Fuentes credited with providing technical support Fuentes’ journey reflects the hurdles many right-
were, according to Hatewatch research and analysis, wing extremists face when it comes to navigating the
NICOLE HESTER/MLIVE.COM/ANN ARBOR NEWS VIA AP IMAGES

Simon Dickerman, who appears to have longstand- “alt-tech” ecosystem. As his brief return to YouTube
ing ties to white power circles online, and Michael demonstrates, deplatformed extremists still favor
Zimmermann, the then-information technology direc- mainstream social media sites for their ease of use
tor of the Trump-tied conspiracy site Infowars. and audience. Above all, Fuentes’ month-and-a-half-
k By mid-February, Fuentes’ team announced they long struggle to set up a viable long-term streaming
were beta testing his new streaming platform. Though alternative demonstrates the real costs of deplat-
he remained the sole user of the site for several forming, in that it not only strips them of their abil-
months, Fuentes rebranded his custom livestreaming ity to fundraise but forces them to redirect income to
platform as cozy.tv in mid-October. find new ways to keep hate online.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 25

The Year in
Unity and
Resilience

despite its challenges

and tumult, 2021 was also a
year marked by the actions and
strength of individuals, organi-
zations and communities across
the United States who met the
moment. Whether they’ve been
working towards progress for
decades or have recently orga-
nized to confront new manifes-
tations of hardship and bigotry,
their resilience remains stead-
fast. As we enter 2022, with
political division and public
health concerns at the fore-
front of our collective conscious,
we’re seeking to highlight some
of those individuals and organi-
zations, as well as the coalitions
they have helped build to sup-
port their communities. While
those featured below continue
to carry imperative work for-
BARRETTDAN

ward, we also aim to elevate the

need for the equitable dissemi-
EMKE
CHUNG

nation of support and resources.

26 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

Kansas State Rep. Stephanie Byers in the
state Capitol in Topeka, Kansas, in February 2022.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 27

DIRECT G RASSROOTS ACTI ON

‘Lemons to Lemonade’ with

the BTV Clean Up Crew
By Lydia Bates

“ I
f we believe in a community at all … Clean Up Crew has been funneling donations to
[we] have to believe that our neigh- Outright Vermont, a local organization aimed at build-
bors feel loved and welcomed,” ing an equitable and inclusive society for all LGBTQ+
explained a founding member of young people. The Clean Up Crew has also donated to
the BTV Clean Up Crew, based in Burlington, local organizations such as Migrant Justice and Black
Vermont. This belief is what keeps the Clean Lives Matter of Greater Burlington.
Up Crew motivated as they confront hate and “It adds some levity to something that is so dire.
extremism in their community. It’s lemons to lemonade” said Rachel Frida Siegel,
Founded in July 2019, the BTV Clean Up Crew co-coordinator of the Old North End Mutual Aid
works to remove bigoted stickers and flyers posted (ONEMA), a local organization that was recently
around the area by hate groups. Communicating the recipient of BTV Clean Up Crew’s crowdfunded
via encrypted and secure messaging platforms, donations. “That money enabled us to make our com-
the grassroots coalition of community members munity stronger by supporting people who needed
identifies areas where hateful messages have been resources that they couldn’t get otherwise.”
posted and organizes expedient removal. Part of the Clean Up Crew’s success in confront-
Prior to COVID-19 precautions, group mem- ing hate in their community stems from their focus
bers spent weekends removing hateful material on preventing the amplification of extremist rheto-
and picking up roadside trash. Since the onset of ric and narratives. Group members do not alert the
the pandemic, their activities have become more police or local media to the flyers and stickers but
ad hoc, resulting in the removal of over 230 hate quietly remove them along with other types of trash.
stickers and flyers in 2021. For those interested in creating similar efforts
The hate group that most frequently posts flyers in their community, the BTV Clean Up Crew rec-
and stickers in the Burlington area is a white nation- ommends making a strong distinction between the
alist group called Patriot Front. In a year when the bigotry espoused by hate groups and what might
flyering efforts of Patriot Front have increased else- be considered differing politics. “Make it clear that
where in the country, the Clean Up Crew reports what you’re trying to do is counter hate against
that “in the aggregate, [the number of incidents] has neighbors” explained a Crew member. “These
gone down” in the Burlington area. people are trying to attack your neighbors. These
The group’s fundraising model has much to aren’t people who are trying to express their polit-
do with that decline. Each month, the Clean Up ical beliefs.”
Crew tallies the number of hate stickers they’ve
removed. They then crowdsource donations from
To support the BTV Clean
Facebook followers who pledge a monetary amount Up Crew and learn more
per sticker to a local nonprofit of the Crew’s choos- about their efforts to make
ing. The more stickers hate groups post in the “every neighbor feel loved
Burlington area, the larger the donation to local and welcomed,” visit their
progressive organizations. Facebook page at https://
www.facebook.com/
“We try to donate money directly to whatever btvcleanupcrew/.
group that was most targeted that month,” a Clean
Up Crew member explained. Recently, due to a
spate of transphobic flyering incidents, the BTV

28 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 Washington Gov. Jay Inslee joins community
and business leaders at Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport in October 2021.

COM M U NI TY COALI TI O N-BUI LD I NG

‘Voices of Love and Unity’

for Afghan Refugees
By Caleb Kieffer

I
n the state of Washington, the American the U.S. Another 22,500 remain in temporary hous-
Muslim Empowerment Network at the ing facilities awaiting completion of the process,
Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS- according to the Department of Defense. Efforts to
AMEN) is leading a campaign to welcome safely resettle Afghan refugees received bipartisan
refugees from Afghanistan. support from many lawmakers and the public, but
“There’s so much noise, and we need to have our the effort has not been without politicization. Anti-
voices of love and unity to be louder than the hat- Muslim hate groups and some right-wing lawmak-
ers that are always going to be there,” said Aneelah ers used the opportunity to spread divisive rhetoric
Afzali, executive director of MAPS-AMEN. “That’s and bigotry.
the approach we have to take.” Afzali and MAPS-AMEN sought to get ahead of
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

The United States has taken in around 75,000 the hate and send a welcoming message to arriv-
Afghans since the chaotic withdrawal from ing Afghan refugees. “We’re likely going to see,
Afghanistan in August 2021. As of Dec. 31, 2021, and we’ve already seen, a spike in xenophobia
52,000 have been resettled in communities across and Islamophobia with a number of new Brown

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 29

Muslims arriving in different parts of the state,”
she said. “So, what we created are these welcome
signs that just say we welcome our Afghan neigh-
bors.” The signs feature a message flanked by colors
of the U.S. and Afghanistan flags. She said the goal
was to “distribute these welcome signs to really try
to get ahead of the narrative and try to have public
officials, leaders, and others step up and create that
welcoming environment and try to maximize the
kind of bi-partisan support [for refugees].”
In October 2021, Afzali joined Washington Gov.
Jay Inslee, corporate partners and other commu-
nity leaders at a press conference at the Seattle-
Tacoma International Airport’s Welcome Center for
Afghans to greet those arriving from Afghanistan
and to speak out against recent violence against
immigrant and Muslim communities. MAPS-
AMEN is also partnering with the Washington
State Department of Social and Health Services to
provide support for refugees. This effort includes
coordination between the government, resettle-
ment agencies and community-based organizations,
as well as the Afghan American community. Afzali
said various working groups have been established
to address housing, employment, health, legal ser-
vices, donations, food and more.
Washington is one of the top 10 states taking
in refugees, according to data from the U.S. State
Department. The Southern Poverty Law Center
tracked 50 anti-Muslim hate groups in 2021, includ-
ing three in Washington. Anti-Muslim hate groups LIBERATION THROUGH EDUCATION

Seeding Freedom in
coalesced around anti-refugee sentiment in 2021. This
rhetoric is likely to carry over into 2022 as the Biden
administration announced plans last year to increase
the United States’ refugee cap to 125,000. This is set to the Mississippi Delta
reverse Trump’s historically low cap of 18,000.
Afzali said she plans to continue the welcom-
ing campaign through the next few months as more By Lydia Bates
refugees arrive. “We’re also helping make sure that
families do not fall through the cracks. And it’s so
hard to do that because you have such an influx.
Both the pace and the number of arrivals is signif-
icant.” She also stressed the importance of people
showing up for the Afghan community. “That kind
of welcoming message is not only important for the
Afghan arrivals themselves to feel that support from
the community, but again, also to help ensure that
any of those voices that might otherwise want to
thrive, those ugly voices of hate, that we nip them Sunflower County Freedom Project Fellows visit the
in the bud in advance. We cannot allow that hateful Equal Justice Initiative’s National Memorial for Peace
messaging to gain any kind of momentum.” and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama.

30 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 L
iberation education is premised on the [are] taught to challenge oppressive systems in their
idea “that you have the tools, knowl- community and the society at large.”
edge, skills and resources to lead the Having come to Mississippi with Teach for
life that you want to live,” explained America in 2014, Harris knows the challenges that
Ki Harris, Executive Director of the Freedom public-school teachers face in supporting students
Project Network. who are underserved and historically marginalized.
Composed of three individual Freedom “We’re taught [this is] an achievement gap” Harris
Projects in Sunflower County, Meridian, and explained, “but if we actually interrogate that fur-
Rosedale, Mississippi, each project supplements ther … that’s not true. It’s not an achievement gap,
student education with programming geared but an opportunity gap.”
toward agency and empowerment. The overarch- As the Freedom Project Network seeks to
ing Freedom Project Network was developed in bridge that gap with liberation education, stu-
2016 to sustain each of the existing sites and grow dents and staff are grounded in Love, Education,
the reach of the organization. Action and Discipline – the LEAD Principles.
As Harris detailed, the organization’s work and Despite the instability of the ongoing COVID-19
goals are reflective of the traditions of the 1964 pandemic, each Freedom Project has continued
Freedom Summer Schools. Carrying the spirit to provide LEAD-guided programming that goes
FREEDOM PROJECT NETWORK

of those schools forward, the Freedom Project well beyond the conventional bounds of after
Network seeks “to create a type of educational school extracurriculars.
movement where students [are] taught to question, In Love, Rosedale Freedom Project students
students [are] taught to interrogate, and students established the Gender-Sexuality Alliance to

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 31

support LGTBQ+ individuals in partnership with County Freedom Project students spent over 200
the LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi in 2021. Love also hours writing and editing their annual literary mag-
inspired the Freedom Project’s staff to adapt to azine, The Chapters of Life.
changing public health conditions with “porch-vis- With Discipline, all Freedom Project students
its” – meetings between staff and students on fam- in Meridian maintained an above 3.0 GPA. Rosedale
ily home porches. students visited four colleges and universities, and
As the core of each Freedom Project’s mission, all senior Freedom Project students in Sunflower
Education was the driving force behind reading, County were accepted to college.
conversations and a speaker series centered on abo- According to Jalaya Liles Dunn, Director of
lition at the Rosedale Freedom Project. Similarly, SPLC’s Learning for Justice, “there’s a great deal
interactive education was the impetus for a sum- of crossover between the LEAD Principles and the
mer trip to the Equal Justice Initiative’s National four domains of Learning for Justice’s Social Justice
Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Standards – identity, diversity, justice and action –
Alabama, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute which LFJ hopes will contribute to more liberation
and 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. in schools and communities as well.”
Throughout 2021, Freedom Project students Similar to Learning for Justice, as the Freedom
harnessed Love and Education to guide their Project Network continues to plant the seeds of
Action. Following research into food deserts –

FREEDOM PROJECT NETWORK

(Top left) Freedom Project Fellows and staff sing a Freedom Song
urban areas where fresh, affordable food is scarce
in their daily “circle up.” (Top right) Fellows from the Meridian
– students in Meridian planted seven community Freedom Project participate in a reading circle for their Novel
gardens at senior living facilities, public housing Studies course. (Bottom left) Fellows and staff from the Rosedale
complexes and churches. Meanwhile, Sunflower Freedom Project create art to show unity and collective power.

32 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

freedom through education, they are play- RE P RES E NTAT I ON I N OFFI C E
ing a crucial role “in shaping an inclusive,
multiracial and multiethnic democracy,” ‘We have to
Dunn explained.
“An education for freedom provokes
mobilize together.’
questions, ignites wonder and promotes
critical thinking,” Dunn said. “Ensuring
By Jason Wilson
that the next generation of leaders

B
embraces identity and diversity and wields
collective power and action to champion
justice is a fundamental step to disrupting efore she became the first Indigenous
hate at its core.” transgender woman elected to a state
In the view of Harris and the Freedom house in the United States, Kansas state
Project Network, such questions and criti- Rep. Stephanie Byers spent 32 years
cal thinking form the educational founda- teaching music to high school students.
tion from which “blossoms all freedoms.” During Byers’ own high school days at a public
school in Oklahoma, an inspirational teacher opened
To learn more about the Freedom her eyes to the fact that “music was available to every-
Project Network and support them in their one” regardless of their origins or income status.
mission to seed freedom through educa- This made her want to awaken others to the
tion, visit their website at https://www. same possibilities.
freedomprojectnetwork.org/. “I wanted to use music to touch people’s hearts,
including in class,” Byers said. “I wanted to make
it a joy.”
She taught first at a private school, and then a
small rural school in Colorado.
“I understand the challenges faced by rural
schools, and suburban schools, and inner-city
schools,” she said. She now employs her firsthand
experience in her service on the Kansas House
Committee on Education.
Finally, she arrived at North Wichita High
School, where, for over two decades, she was part
of a community that offered inspiration, support
and safety to its members.
“Inside that building there’s a bubble of protec-
tion,” she said.
And that protection is extended not only
to students.
In the years leading up to her retirement,
Byers’ gender transition renewed her sense of
the resilience that arises from tightly bonded
school communities.
“I began living authentically in 2014 without
knowing how my colleagues would respond,” she
said. “But the faculty wrapped themselves around
me and said, ‘We love you – how can we help you?”
This, and her intimate understanding of the
challenges faced by LGBTQ students, led her to
activism as anti-LGBTQ legislators around the
country began pushing so-called “bathroom bills.”

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 33

 AP IMAGES

34 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 We have got to unite The outgrowths of the assault on schools are as
apparent in Kansas as they are in the rest of the
together across this country, according to Byers.
“The screaming matches at school boards –
country. We have got that’s happening in Kansas,” she said.
And in turn, this has affected teachers, who
to realize that we have are also struggling to navigate educating during
a pandemic.
to mobilize together. “My friends who are still teaching are heart-
broken,” she said. “They”re no longer seen as pro-
— R EP. S T EPH A NIE BY ER S fessionals by some of the parents of the students
they teach.”
For now, in the legislature, that means her
“My activism on LGBTQ issues geared up agenda is, first, to protect existing structures of
after I began living authentically,” she said, and resilience and safety.
her skilled advocacy led to her achieving local “We’re still on the defensive,” she said of the
and even national prominence as a transgender Democrat “super-minority” that is contending
rights campaigner. with GOP efforts to enact bills that would, in one
Friends and allies began encouraging her example, ban transgender girls from participating
to run for office, and when the incumbent in girls’ sports.
Democrat retired as representative of Kansas’s On that specific issue, Byers said progressive
86th District, Byers ran in the 2020 election, and activists around the country should “look past the
won by 11 votes. shiny object,” and not be distracted by the anti-
She has not forgotten her former colleagues and LGBTQ framing of the issue.
students, however. Indeed, she thinks the far right “It’s not about fairness in sports,” she said. “It’s
has chosen to highlight issues like so-called “criti- about putting kids in closets.”
cal race theory” precisely because they see schools “We need to call it out for what it is: bullying,”
as a place that promotes resilience in the commu- Byers adds.
nities they wish to scapegoat and target. In other advice to those pushing back on
“That’s why we’re seeing the right-wing push on hate, she said progress will not be piecemeal.
school boards,” she said, adding, “They see there’s a “We have got to unite together across this country,”
BARRETT EMKE

structure of safety there, and they want to tear that Byers said. “We have got to realize that we have to
structure down.” mobilize together.”

Conclusion
Through efforts to counter and expose, SPLC has national coalitions, to policymakers and elected
long sought to confront and mitigate the harm officials, resistance to hate and support for those
caused by hate and extremism. Without the resil- victimized is each of our responsibility. When
ience of individuals and communities beyond acts of hate and harm occur, we encourage you to
our organization, however, that work would be safely speak out, form and join networks of resil-
futile. Being informed by the research on hate and ience, and seek the necessary resources to support
extremism contained within this report and galva- those who have been targeted. While the SPLC and
nizing through educational and community-based Learning for Justice websites have ample informa-
resilience efforts is how we “mobilize together.” tion and resources, action is the foundation of unity
From grassroots organizers, through local and and resilience.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 35

What We
Do Now
Policy Recommendations

democracy in the United

States is under threat from a
hard-right, antidemocratic
mass movement that has
brought hate and antigovern-
ment extremists into the main-
stream, threatening the fabric
of inclusive, diverse democ-

REUTERS/JIM URQUHART
racy. It is urgent for policy-
makers to act to defend and
strengthen our democratic
institutions, and to commit to
holistic, long-term initiatives
to counter racism, antigov-
ernment extremism, and hate
groups in America.

Protect democracy
Every citizen deserves to be able
to participate in our democracy
and civic discourse without fear,
intimidation or barriers.
With essential voting rights
legislation blocked due to
Senate Republican obstruc-
tion, it is even more important
for the Department of Justice
to use its authority to challenge
discriminatory anti-voting laws
– and for activists and grassroots

Illustration
36by DakaraiPOVERTY
 SOUTHERN Akil LAW CENTER
THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 37
organizations to engage in the fight to protect and
advance voting rights through every tool we have
in our communities. While Congress should enact
700+
individuals have been charged
legislation to raise the threshold for challenging
by the Justice Department
Electoral College votes, and to clarify that the Vice
in connection with the Jan. 6
President’s role in the process is exclusively minis-
terial, with no authority to overturn election results, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
it must not do so without also passing legislation

80+
to address the erosion of the Voting Rights Act and
other reforms to strengthen our democracy.

Speak out against hate, political violence, of the defendants charged in

and extremism relation to the Jan. 6 attack
Words matter, especially from our leaders. It is have ties to the U.S. military —
impossible to overstate the importance of elected mostly veterans.
officials, business and community leaders, civic
and faith leaders, military commanders, and law
enforcement executives using their public plat-
forms to condemn hate, racism, attacks on vot-
ing and democratic institutions, and extremism in planners and perpetrators accountable, and nec-
all forms. Failure to do so emboldens extremists – essary steps to safeguard future elections and
as we saw dramatically demonstrated during the our country’s democratic institutions.
Trump administration. Leaders across the country • The federal government should continue to
can inspire positive change and confidence about prosecute the organizers, financial backers,
the future by promoting visions of an inclusive com- political enablers and perpetrators involved in
munity where everyone can thrive. the Jan. 6 insurrection to the fullest extent of
Following the Jan. 6 insurrection, corporate the law. The prosecution of specific individuals
leaders vowed to withdraw financial support from for “seditious conspiracy” is a welcome develop-
political officials who refused to certify the 2020 ment – and an important and appropriate step
election. One year later, corporate money contin- given the gravity of the attack.
ues to flow to most of the 147 lawmakers who voted • Business leaders and corporations should per-
against certification. Statements of support of our manently suspend political donations to mem-
democracy alone are insufficient; they must be bers of Congress and other elected officials who
backed up with meaningful action. helped incite the violent siege and commit to
withholding all forms of support for political
Hold the planners and perpetrators of the Jan. 6 candidates who either actively support polit-
attack accountable ical violence, amplify those who do, or fail to
Those responsible for the deadly Jan. 6 insurrec- promptly condemn political violence when it
tion – and elected officials who explicitly or subtly comes from their allies or supporters.
encouraged or enabled this political violence – must
be held accountable and suffer real consequences. Improve government response to
• The essential work of the House Select domestic extremism
Committee to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on President Biden’s National Strategy for Countering
the United States Capitol must be strongly sup- Domestic Terrorism calls for expanded informa-
ported. The Committee’s findings and recom- tion sharing and more resources to address the
mendations will be critical for lawmakers and racism underlying extremism, including efforts
the public to help understand the architects to advance equity and promote civics education
behind the Jan. 6 attack, how to hold those and engagement.

38 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 A student holds a pair of heart balloons at a rally to raise
awareness of anti-Asian violence outside the Japanese
American National Museum in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles
on Mar. 13, 2021.

• Congress should enact the Domestic Terrorism Enforce current laws and use strategic litigation
Prevention Act (S.964/H.R 350) to establish Every state prohibits private militias, and the fed-
offices within the Department of Homeland eral government and many states have laws prohib-
Security (DHS), the Department of Justice, and iting political violence, restricting firearms in the
the FBI to monitor, investigate and prosecute state capitol/government buildings and near poll-
cases of domestic terrorism – and require regu- ing places, and banning paramilitary training in fur-
lar reports from these offices. therance of, or in preparation for, a civil disorder.
• Congress should reject efforts to create a new • Federal and state authorities should take action
criminal domestic terrorism statute, which to raise awareness about these laws – and
could be weaponized against dissidents, commu- enforce them when hard-right activists engage
nities of color, or political opponents. The fed- in militia activity.
eral government has plenty of tools to enforce • Human rights advocates and state attorneys gen-
existing laws; it only needs the will to use them. eral should pursue civil litigation – like Integrity
• The Biden administration and Congress should First for America’s successful suit against plan-
promptly implement the new COVID-19 Hate ners and perpetrators of the 2017 Charlottesville
Crime Act, and work urgently to address bias- white supremacist riot and the December 2021
based violence against Asian Americans and Pacific lawsuit filed by Washington, D.C., Attorney
Islanders and other groups, and close gaps in cur- General Karl A. Racine against the Proud Boys,
rent hate crime data collection and response. Oath Keepers and other Jan. 6 violent actors –
• Congress should end funding for police militari- as a best practice that can help deter such law-
DAMIAN DOVARGANES/AP IMAGES

zation and the transfer of excess military prop- less behavior in the future.
erty to law enforcement agencies. And Congress • The Justice Department’s Election Threats Task
and the Justice Department should take steps Force must be supported and empowered to pro-
to gauge and directly address white supremacy tect election workers and voters from intimida-
in policing. tion, harassment and violence.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 39

Confront white supremacy and extremism Fund prevention and education initiatives to
in the military steer individuals away from hate and extremism
The Justice Department has so far charged more Disinformation and conspiracy theories are gal-
than 700 individuals in connection with the U.S. vanizing attacks on democracy and government
Capitol attack. Disturbingly, more than 80 of the institutions and can lead to ideologically moti-
defendants charged in relation to the Jan. 6 attack vated violence.
have ties to the U.S. military – mostly veterans. • Federal agencies, including the Department of
Led by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin Justice, the Department of Education, and the
III, military and civilian Pentagon leadership Department of Health and Human Services
have been outspoken in addressing this issue should provide more resources for programs
seriously – including a Department-wide stand and processes for early intervention. Programs
down to educate personnel on the danger- in these areas should focus on inoculating
ous threat of extremist activity and the estab- communities against extremism and empow-
lishment of the Countering Extremist Activities ering adults to help steer young people away
Working Group (CEAWG) to study the issue and from dangerous ideas. SPLC and American
offer recommendations. University’s Polarization and Extremism Research
The Department of Defense must promptly and Innovation Lab (PERIL) are currently pilot-
implement the December 2021 CEAWG report com- ing promising non-governmental initiatives in
mitments and complement those advances with this direction.
additional actions: • Federal and state government leadership must pro-
• Address extremism at every stage of a ser- mote civics education and anti-bias, anti-hate and
vice member’s career: better screening during democracy-building education programs. It is not
recruitment, expanding and clarifying pro- possible to legislate, regulate or tabulate hatred and
hibitions against advocating for, or involve- extremism out of existence. SPLC’s Learning for
ment in, supremacist or extremist activity for Justice resources can serve as a model for needed
all active-duty personnel, and more extensive resources in our nation’s schools.
and tailored efforts to help veterans transition • The Department of Education should fund and
into civilian life, including the ongoing avail- promote anti-racism programs and initiatives to
ability of counseling and other mental health teach critical thinking skills and digital literacy,
and social welfare services. so students can be inoculated against and fend
• Because veterans are high-value targets for off misinformation, disinformation and online
extremist groups, the Veterans Administration radicalization. These approaches should be
must provide ongoing education and outreach community-focused and non-carceral, and they
against misinformation and disinformation to should foreground the experiences of and sup-
help former military personnel fend off – and port for victim-survivors.
report – outreach from extremists. • To respond to unwarranted attacks on inclu-
• Expand existing service prohibitions against sive education, federal and state officials
the display of flags, clothing, tattoos and bum- should provide support and funding to com-
per stickers – on or off a military installation – munities addressing intimidating and men-
that support extremist groups and activities. acing threats of violence against health care
• Mandate more extensive data collection and workers, school board members, teachers and
reporting, including an annual climate survey school administrators.
on extremism.
• Immediately rename the ten U.S. Army bases Hold tech and social media companies
named for Confederate leaders. No American accountable and promote online safety
should train at a base named for individuals who More than a year after Jan. 6, it is still frighten-
fought against the United States for the right to ingly simple for racists and extremists to dissemi-
enslave other people. nate propaganda, recruit followers, generate profits

40 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 Black Lives Matter supporters protest in Jacksonville,
Florida’s Hemming Park on June 24, 2021, the night after
the City of Jacksonville took its first steps to remove the
city’s Confederate monuments.

and spread intimidation on the major social media the proliferation of extremist content on the
platforms. Meanwhile, a large number of “alt-tech” site/app.
platforms have also sprung up to service extremists • Social media platforms and online payment
whose actions exile them from Facebook, Twitter service providers should act to disrupt the
and YouTube. funding of hate online, to prevent their ser-
• Tech companies must create – and enforce – vices from helping to incubate and bankroll
Terms of Service and policies to ensure that terrorists and extremism.
social media platforms, payment service pro- • Tech companies that offer crowdfunding,
viders and other internet-based services do not subscriptions, video streaming cash payouts,
provide forums where hateful activities and in-app or in-site currencies, and/or crypto-
extremism can grow and lead to domestic ter- currencies should face additional mandatory
rorism. This will require increased spending transparency and reporting requirements to
on and attention to content moderation to rap- document use or abuse of their systems to pro-
idly and effectively address content that violates vide financial support for intimidation, harass-
the terms of service, and detailed transparency ment and violent extremism.
reports that address the reasons and numbers of • Consistent with the First Amendment and pri-
content takedowns. vacy considerations, federal and state govern-
• Social media companies should be required ment officials should implement rules and
to make data available to academics and regulations to ensure that tech companies com-
researchers, including information about ply with civil rights laws prohibiting discrim-
BOB SELF/USA TODAY NETWORK

deplatforming, content removal, account ination. Law enforcement should scrutinize

removal, account demonetization, shadow platforms and ensure they are enforcing prohi-
banning and slowdowns, as well as how user bitions on activities that endanger the public or
ads and recommendation algorithms impact conspire against the rights of others.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 41

Active Antigovernment
And Hate Groups
In The United States In 2021

FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS ABOUT HATE GROUPS IN

 488
ANTIGOVERNMENT GROUPS

92 Militia P. 56
75 Sovereign Citizen P. 58
52 Conspiracy Propagandist P. 59
3 Constitutional Sheriffs P. 60
266 General P. 61

733
HATE GROUPS

18 Ku Klux Klan P. 44
54 Neo-Nazi P. 44
98 White Nationalist  P. 46
17 Racist Skinhead P. 47
9 Christian Identity P. 48
32 Neo-Völkisch P. 48
16 Neo-Confederate  P. 49
18 Anti-Immigrant P. 50
65 Anti-LGBTQ P. 51
50 Anti-Muslim P. 52
61 Antisemitism P. 53
N YOUR STATE, GO TO SPLCENTER.ORG/HATE-MAP 295 General Hate P. 54
 18 Ku Klux Klan TOP TAKEAWAYS 2021 was marked by
more attempts at alliances between Klan
The Ku Klux Klan, with its long history of violence, is the oldest and groups; accusations of disloyalty to the
most infamous of American hate groups. Although Black Americans Klan on social media; and aggrandizing
have typically been the Klan’s primary target, adherents also attack membership, event attendance and influ-
Jewish people, those who have immigrated to the United States and ence. Like years past, the number of active
LGBTQ people. Klan groups declined – from 25 in 2020 to
18 in 2021.
KEY MOMENTS 2021 began with the dox-
0 0 ing of several members of the Dekalb,
0
0 Texas-based Church of the Ku Klux Klan
0
0 0 and the Gladewater, Texas, chapter of the
0 0 Patriotic Brigade Knights of the Ku Klux
0 0 0 0
0 0 Klan. A hacked list of potential applicants
0 0
2 0 shows an extensive overlap in member-
0 2 1 0
0 0
0 0 0 ship between Klan groups. In May, the
0 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 largest Klan event of the year occurred
0 4 1 on private land in Tennessee. Members
0 0 1
1 of the American Christian Dixie Knights,
1 1 0
2 0
the White Christian Brotherhood and the
0 Alabama Knights gathered to light a cross
and initiate a few new members. The num-
0 1
ber of Klan-related flyering incidents
dropped significantly this year, from just
over 40 in 2020 to under 30 in 2021.
Alabama Knights of the East Coast Knights Old Glory Knights of the WHAT’S AHEAD KKK activity will likely
Ku Klux Klan of the True Invisible Ku Klux Klan remain stagnant or continue to decline
Alabama* Empire Santa Fe, TN* in 2022. Groups continue to develop
American Christian Pennsylvania* Patriotic Brigade websites and attempt to utilize social
Dixie Knights of the Ku Honorable Sacred Knights of the Ku Klux media platforms but with little success.
Klux Klan Knights of the Ku Klux Klan The KKK’s imagery and rituals, unpopu-
Tennessee* Klan Gladewater, TX* lar within the contemporary white power
Florida Madison, IN* South Carolina movement, coupled with its group lead-
Philadelphia, PA Knights of the Ku Klux True311.com ers’ inability to resolve conflicts, hamper
Church of the Ku Klux Klan/Christian Revival Tennessee hopes for a revival. Similar to 2021,
Klan Center United Klan Nation the most notable Klan-related activ-
DeKalb, TX* Harrison, AR* Tennessee* ity in 2022 will most likely be protests
Church of the National Loyal White Knights of White Christian countering Klan events and commu-
Knights of the Ku Klux the Ku Klux Klan Brotherhood of the Ku nity-based demonstrations against Klan
Klan Pelham, NC* Klux Klan flyering incidents.
Valparaiso, IN* Virginia Dayton, OH
Mississippi

54 Neo-Nazi 3 0 0

1
1
1
1
1 0
0 3 0 1
Neo-Nazi groups share a hatred for Jews and 1 2
3 1
a love for Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. While 4 1
2 0 1 1
1 1
they also hate other minorities, LGBTQ people 0 3 0 1 0 0
1 0 0
and even sometimes Christians, they perceive 2 0
“the Jew” as their cardinal enemy. 0 4 0
3 0 0
0
1 0 1
7 0
0

0 1

44 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER If the group has a known headquarters, it appears first in the listing of the group’s chapters and is marked with an asterisk.
 Definitions
14 First Colorado Tennessee What is a hate group?
Washington* Michigan Washington The Southern Poverty Law Center defines a
Kentucky Minnesota National Socialist hate group as an organization or collection
Texas Mississippi Order of individuals that – based on its official
American Futurist Nebraska Colorado*
statements or principles, the statements
Denver, CO* Nevada Nationalist Social Club
Michigan Tennessee (NSC-131)
of its leaders, or its activities – has beliefs
American National Texas Massachusetts* or practices that attack or malign an entire
Socialist Party Washington Maine class of people, typically for their immuta-
Texas Fuhrernet New Hampshire ble characteristics. An organization does
American Nazi Party Pennsylvania* Rhode Island not need to have engaged in criminal con-
Georgia Injekt Division Vermont
duct or have followed their speech with
New Hampshire Texas* New Order
Aryan Freedom California Milwaukee, WI*
actual unlawful action to be labeled a hate
Network Iron Youth NS Publications group. We do not list individuals as hate
Texas Texas Wyandotte, MI groups, only organizations.
Aryan Nations – National Alliance Patriotic Dissent Books The organizations on our hate group list
Church of the Jesus Mountain City, TN* New Jersey* vilify others because of their race, religion,
Christ Christian Iowa PzG Inc.
ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender iden-
Arizona * Pennsylvania Rapid City, SD
AryanFolk.com National Socialist Straight Arm Media
tity – prejudices that strike at the heart of
Oregon* Charitable Coalition/ Tennessee* our democratic values and fracture society
Church of Ben Klassen, Global Minority Third Reich Books along its most fragile fault lines.
The Initiative Fairbury, NE
Pittsburgh, PA* Illinois Vanguard News What is an antigovernment group?
Austin, TX National Socialist Network
Groups we list as antigovernment see
Creativity Alliance, The German Workers Party Kirksville, MO*
Illinois* Lincoln, NE*
the federal government as an enemy of
Daily Stormer, The National Socialist the people and promote baseless con-
Worthington, OH* Movement spiracy theories generally involving a
Folks Front/Folkish Kissimmee, FL* secret cabal of elites seeking to insti-
Resistance Movement Maricopa, AZ tute a global, totalitarian government – a
Arizona* Connecticut
“New World Order.” The antigovernment
California Pennsylvania
movement includes the militia move-
ment, which encompasses groups such as
TOP TAKEAWAYS The neo-Nazi movement continued to struggle under significant the Three Percenters and Oath Keepers,
setbacks to in-person organizing in 2021. Instead, much of the momentum behind that actively engage in paramilitary activ-
the neo-Nazi movement today continues to come from smaller, more decentralized ities. The movement also includes so-
groups and online social networks with a terroristic focus.
called “sovereign citizens” who reject
KEY MOMENTS In November 2021, a jury in the Sines v. Kessler civil trial against
the organizers of the deadly 2017 “Unite the Right” rally found former Daily Stormer the authority of the government, as well
contributor Robert “Azzmador” Ray of the National Socialist Movement (NSM) and as self-described “constitutional sheriffs”
former NSM leader Jeff Schoep liable on charges of a civil conspiracy under Virginia who believe sheriffs are the highest form
state law. The jury ordered NSM to pay $1 million in punitive damages and Schoep of law enforcement in the country and can
and Ray to each pay an additional $500,000 and $700,000, respectively. Legal disobey federal laws deemed “unconsti-
proceedings against several members of Atomwaffen Division concluded in 2021 as
well. In May, a federal court sentenced John Cameron Denton, a former Atomwaffen
tutional,” and members of the tax protest
leader who went by the monikers “Rape” and “Vincent Synder” online, to 41 months movement, who believe they have the legal
in prison for his role in a conspiracy that involved a form of targeted harassment ability to avoid paying income taxes, which
known as “swatting.” they perceive to be illegitimate.
WHAT’S AHEAD The size and influence of historically prominent groups will con-
tinue to change as the movement reforms itself to cater to a new generation of
For more information, see https://www.
neo-Nazis. Many of these younger neo-Nazis have tossed aside traditional orga-
nizing tactics in favor of decentralized online spaces. On platforms such as
splcenter.org/20200318/frequently-
Telegram, this new generation of extremists has embraced more openly violent asked-questions-about-hate-groups.
messages, including advocating for or valorizing acts of terror. This rhetoric will
continue in 2022.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 45

98 White Nationalist
Adherents of white nationalist groups believe that white identity should be the
organizing principle of the countries that make up Western civilization. White
nationalists advocate policies to reverse changing demographics and the loss of
an absolute, white majority.

Bedford, PA* Occidental Observer

Exodus/Americanus Medford, OR*
3 1 0
Floyds Knobs, IN* Patriot Front
1
2 Fight White Genocide Texas*
2 2
2 1 Columbia, SC* Arizona
1 3 4 1
1
0 0 Fitzgerald Griffin Arkansas
4
6 1 Foundation, The California
3 4 1 2
1 2
1 2 1 2 3 1
Vienna, VA* Colorado
1 5 1 Front Range Active Club Connecticut
5 2
1 3 1 Colorado Delaware
3 0 2
4 Full Haus Washington
0 1 4
Purgitsville, WV* Florida
2 1
0 Indiana Active Club Georgia
Indiana* Idaho
0 4
International Illinois
Conservative Movement Indiana
Massachusetts* Kansas
Koschertified? Kentucky
Affirmative Right American Renaissance/ Colchester Collection, San Marcos, CA* Louisiana
Atlanta, GA* New Century The Mannerbund Maine
America First Foundation Machias, ME* Norwalk, CT* Maryland
Foundation Oakton, VA Council of Conservative National Justice Party Massachusetts
Western Springs, IL* Antelope Hill Publishing Citizens Butler, PA* Michigan
Saint Petersburg, FL Quakertown, PA* Blackwell, MO* National Reformation Minnesota
American Freedom Arktos Media Counter-Currents Party Missouri
News New York, NY* Publishing California* Nebraska
Hampton Twp, PA* Bay State Active Club San Francisco, CA* New Jersey European Nevada
American Freedom Massachusetts Cursus Honorum Heritage Association New Jersey
Party Blood River Radio Foundation New Jersey* New York
Los Angeles, CA* Bartlett, TN* Austin, TX Northwest Front North Carolina
New York, New York Christ the King Dominion Active Club Seattle, WA* Ohio
American Patriots USA Reformed Church Virginia* Occidental Dissent Oklahoma
Dahlonega, GA* Charlotte, MI* Evergreen Eufaula, AL* Oregon

TOP TAKEAWAYS The number of white nationalist groups continues to decline after their numbers peaked at 155 in 2019. Many nationwide net-
works have contracted or entirely fallen apart, marking a movement away from sprawling membership organizations and toward groups that are
highly centralized. The movement’s energy shifted into more mainstream spaces in the aftermath of Jan. 6. Many white nationalist groups and indi-
viduals are trying to harness the grievances of Trump supporters into an openly ethnonationalist political movement – one they hope will become the
core of the GOP.
KEY MOMENTS White nationalists were present at the Jan. 6 insurrection, including livestreamer Nick Fuentes, who rallied his followers outside the
Capitol. In February, Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Arizona, spoke at Fuentes’ America First Political Action Conference.
The National Justice Party convened several meetings this year where white nationalist groups – including Patriot Front, Media2Rise and
Antelope Hill – met to network. Patriot Front held its own demonstrations throughout the year in cities including Chicago, Philadelphia and
Washington, D.C.
In a major rebuke to the racist right, the jury in Sines v. Kessler found that some of the most prominent figureheads and groups in the white
nationalist movement conspired to intimidate, harass, or commit harm during the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
WHAT’S AHEAD As the Republican Party moves to embrace extremist ideas like the “great replacement,” barriers between the white national-
ist movement and the mainstream right will likely continue to erode. We will also see continued attempts by white nationalists to convince white
Americans they are persecuted by “anti-white” ideas and policies – talking points that political candidates could repeat. With the 2022 midterms,
we could see further mobilization and even violence from the white nationalist movement, especially at the local level.

46 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 17 Racist Skinhead
Racist skinheads have long been among the most violent-minded elements of the
white power movement. Often referred to as the “shock troops” of the hoped-for
white revolution, this movement flourished during the 1980s through the 1990s
and into the mid-2000s, particularly through the lucrative international hate
Pennsylvania music scene.
Rhode Island
South Carolina AC Skins Firm 22 Vinland Clothing
South Dakota Atlantic City, NJ* Florida California
Tennessee California Keystone United Vinlanders Social Club
Texas American Defense Pennsyvlania* Florida
Utah Skinheads Old Glory Skinheads New Jersey
Vermont Illinois North Carolina North Carolina
Virginia Pennsylvania United Skinhead Nation
Washington American Front Florida*
West Virginia California Tennessee
Wisconsin Montana Wisconsin
Wyoming Washington
Patriotic Flags
Summerville, SC*
Political Cesspool, The
Bartlett, TN* 1 1 0
Racial Nationalist party 0
0
of America 0 1
0 0
Lockport, NY* 0 0 0 0
Radix Journal 0 0
0 0
2 0
Alexandria, VA* 1 0 0 0
0 2
0 0
Red Ice 0 0 0 0
0 0 0
Harrisonburg, VA* 3 0
0 1 2
Renaissance Horizon 0 0
0 0
Summerville, SC* 0 0 0
Revolt Through 0 0
Tradition 0
Massachusetts* 3
0
School of the West
Page, AZ*
Scott-Townsend
Publishers
Washington, DC*
Shieldwall Network
TOP TAKEAWAYS With almost no young recruits, the racist skinhead movement’s prominence within
Mountain View, AR*
Stormfront this country’s white power movement has diminished steadily for years. In 2020, the SPLC listed 36
West Palm Beach, FL* racist skinhead chapters, down from 48 in 2019. SPLC recorded another multi-year decline in 2021,
The Base registering just 17 chapters. Image-conscious white nationalist groups and militant neo-Nazi groups
Washington* are attracting the younger generation, while new racist skinhead groups are exceedingly rare and gen-
Indiana erally emerge from the fragments of existing groups. No group is recruiting in significant numbers.
Wisconsin Some of the movement’s former leaders have migrated into other far-right groups, such as the Proud
The Right Stuff Boys.
KEY MOMENTS For the second year running, the American Defense Skinheads (ADS) helped organize
Pennsylvania*
VDARE Foundation a small concert in Pennsylvania in October. The show attracted a few dozen attendees and was co-
Berkeley Springs, WV* organized by Keystone State Skins, or Keystone United. Bands associated with ADS and the Atlantic
White Rabbit Radio City Skinheads (ACS) performed. Also in November, individuals associated with the Atlantic City
Dearborn Heights, MI* Skinheads traveled to Mexico City, Mexico, for a concert.
WHAT’S AHEAD In 2022, individuals associated with ACS are already connecting with people booking
Will2Rise
Lakeland, FL* concerts featuring a range of subcultural musical styles also co-opted by racists, including electronic,
industrial, black metal, neo-folk, noise and hardcore. Overall, the movement will continue to stagnate
and slowly lose relevance in this country. White nationalist groups and milieus like that of white power
accelerationism have replaced the racist skinhead movement among younger recruits, both in posture
and intent.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 47

9 Christian Identity
Christian Identity is an antisemitic and racist ideology that became influential on TOP TAKEAWAYS The number of active
the far right in the 1980s. “Christian” in name only, the ideology claims that white Christian Identity groups dropped to
people, not Jewish people, are favored by God as the true Israelites in the Bible. With nine in 2021 after remaining steady at 11
similarly archaic and rigid belief systems, Ku Klux Klan and neo-Confederate hate in both 2019 and 2020. Such a decline
groups have occasionally formed symbiotic relationships with Christian Identity reflects the instability of this radically
groups and adherents. racist religious sect and the lack of appeal
to younger far-right adherents.
Christogenea Fellowship of God’s Sacred Truth Publishing KEY MOMENTS In 2021, SPLC ana-
Panama City, FL* Covenant People & Ministries lysts noted a slight uptick in interest in
Church of Israel Union, KY* Mountain City, TN* Christian Identity beliefs among a smat-
Schell City, MO* Kingdom Identity Scriptures for America tering of neo-Confederate adherents.
Covenant People’s Ministries Worldwide Ministries However, such minimal attention will
Ministry Harrison, AR* Laporte, CO* do little to mitigate the decline of active
Brooks, GA* Mission to Israel Christian Identity hate groups. The move-
Euro Folk Radio Scottsbluff, NE* ment’s lack of significant influence shows
Chicago, IL* its lack of relevance within today’s orga-
nized white power movement.
WHAT’S AHEAD The dwindling hand-
ful of individuals who have been involved
0 0 0
with Christian Identity for decades will
0
0 likely still struggle to reinvigorate inter-
0 0
0 0 est in their efforts. All signs point to the
0 0 0 0
0 0 belief system remaining niche within the
1 0
0 0 organized white power movement, with its
1 0 0 0
0 0 present-day influence paling in compari-
0 1 0 1 0 0
1 0 0 son to its in influence across the 1980s
0 0
0 1 0 to early 2000s.
0 0 1
0
0 0 1
0 0
0

0 1

32 Neo-Völkisch
Neo-Völkisch adherents base their spirituality on the 1 0 2
survival of those descended from white Europeans 2
0
and the preservation of what they claim are dead or 0 2
dying cultures. Members of these groups couch their 1 0
0 0 1 0
bigotry in baseless claims that bloodlines ground the 0 0
0 1
superiority of one’s white identity. To maintain this 1 0
1 2 2 0
1 0
perceived superiority, neo-Völkisch adherents maintain 0 2 0 1 1 0
rigid gender roles, largely reducing women to their 0 2 0
1 0
reproductive functions. The foundations of this ideology 0 0 1
1 0 0
emerged in the mid-19th century racist movements in 2
0 0 1
what is now present-day Austria and Germany.
1 0
1

0 1

48 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

16 Neo-Confederate
Neo-Confederacy is a reactionary, revisionist branch of American white nationalism
typified by its predilection for symbols of the Confederate States of America,
typically paired with a strong belief in the failed doctrines of nullification and
secession – in the specific context of the antebellum South – that rose to
prominence in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

0 0 0
ACTBAC NC Mississippi 0
Snow Camp, NC* North Carolina 0
0 0
Dixie Republic Oklahoma 0 0
0 0 0 0
Travelers Rest, SC* South Carolina 0 0
0 0
Identity Dixie Tennessee 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0
North Carolina Virginia 0 0 0 0 1 0
League of the South West Virginia 0 1 0
0 0
Alabama* Southern Cultural 1 1 3
0 0 1
Arkansas Center 2
1 2 1
Florida Weogufka, AL 0 1
Georgia 0
Louisiana
0 1

TOP TAKEAWAYS Neo-Confederate group numbers declined between 2019 and 2020 when the largest neo-Confederate hate group, the League of
the South, lost several chapters. Neo-Confederate group Identity Dixie also faltered, in 2020, still reeling from revelations about the group’s leaders
that the SPLC exposed in 2019. Today, Identity Dixie is down to one chapter. In 2021, SPLCs analysts documented a significant decrease within the
neo-Confederate category. 
KEY MOMENTS In November 2021, the jury in the long-running Sines v. Kessler civil case against the organizers of the deadly 2017 “Unite the
Right” rally found the League of the South and two of its leaders, Michael Hill and Michael Tubbs, liable on charges of a civil conspiracy under Virginia
state law. The jury ordered the League of the South to pay $1 million in punitive damages and Hill and Tubbs to pay another $500,000.
WHAT’S AHEAD In recent years, ongoing debates around public memorials to the Lost Cause galvanized small groups that have promoted neo-
Confederate ideology and spawned pro-monument groups relatively new to the neo-Confederate hate movement. SPLC analysts have worked to
recognize whether this debate may present a way forward for the neo-Confederate movement through the leveraging of local, decentralized mon-
ument protests within the broader right-wing’s weaponizing of public discourse. Indeed, facing the financial burden following the conclusion of the
Sines v. Kessler civil case, the League of the South may attempt to reassert itself again through public rallies, as well as use misinformation about
the pandemic, critical race theory or other conservative moral panics to stay relevant in the radical right.

Asatru Folk Assembly Virginia TOP TAKEAWAYS From 2020 to 2021, the number of active neo-Völkisch
California* Washington hate groups remained relatively stable, declining from 33 active groups in
Alaska West Virginia 2020 to 32 in 2021. The Ásatrú Folk Assembly (AFA) – the largest neo-
Arizona Wisconsin Völkisch group in the country – saw a slight increase in the number of active
Colorado Black Sun Tribe Project, chapters in 2021, from 21 to 24. Similar to hate groups across the far right,
Florida The in 2021 neo- Völkisch adherents homed in on contrived issues regarding
Georgia Minnesota* critical race theory, anti-mask campaigns and anti-COVID-19 vaccine con-
Illinois Dakota Prairie Asatru spiracy theories.
Indiana Hettinger, ND* KEY MOMENTS Again in 2021, the Ásatrú Folk Assembly hosted numerous
Massachusetts Easter Tidings/Carolyn events at each of their three hofs (meeting spaces), located in Brownsville,
Minnesota Emerick California; Linden, North Carolina; and Murdock, Minnesota. The group
Missouri Rochester, NY* hosted their largest event to date in Brownsville with 153 guests for
Nevada Hearth & Helm LLC Midsummer.
Linden, NC Nashville, IN* WHAT’S AHEAD Neo-Völkisch hate group activity will most likely remain
North Dakota Wolves of Vinland relatively stable in 2022. Per the Ásatrú Folk Assembly’s January 2022
Northern Ohio Lynchburg, VA* newsletter, the group has settled on north Florida as the location of their
Southern Ohio Colorado fourth hof. As the largest neo-Völkisch hate group, most, if not all other
Oregon South Carolina groups within this ideology have current of prior associations with the
Pennsylvania Women for Aryan Unity Ásatrú Folk Assembly. Establishing a fourth hof in another region of the
South Carolina Wisconsin* United States will further coalesce neo-Völkisch groups around the messag-
Texas ing and aesthetic of the AFA.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 49

18 Anti-Immigrant
Anti-immigrant hate groups are the most extreme of the hundreds of nativist and
vigilante groups that have proliferated since the late 1990s, when anti-immigrant
xenophobia began to rise to levels not seen in the U.S. since the 1920s.

1 0 0
0
0
0 0
1 0
0 0 0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0
0 1 0 0 0 0
0 1 1
1 4
0 0 1
2 0 0
0
0 0 1
2 0
0

0 2

American Border Patrol Center for Immigration Help Save Maryland Respect Washington
Sierra Vista, AZ* Studies Rockville, MD* Burien, WA*
American Immigration Washington, DC* Immigration Reform Texans for Immigration
Control Foundation/ Colorado Alliance for Law Institute Reduction and
Americans for Immigration Reform Washington, DC* Enforcement
Immigration Control Lakewood, CO* Legal Immigrants for Houston, TX*
Monterey, VA* Dustin Inman Society, America
Americans for Legal The Winter Springs, FL*
Immigration (ALIPAC) Marietta, GA* Oregonians for
Raleigh, NC* Federation for American Immigration Reform
AZ Patriots Immigration Reform Salem, OR*
Arizona* Washington, DC* ProEnglish
Californians for Floridians for Washington, DC*
Population Stabilization Immigration Remembrance Project,
Ventura, CA* Enforcement The
Pompano Beach, FL* Houston, TX*

TOP TAKEAWAYS From 2020 to 2021, the number of anti-immigrant hate groups decreased from 19 to 18. With the Biden administration in office,
2021 marked a return to the anti-immigrant movement’s decades-long strategy of focusing on supporting and building up its network of state and
local allies, including public and law enforcement officials. Several former Trump administration officials have also found staff positions at various
anti-immigrant hate groups.
KEY MOMENTS In 2021, anti-immigrant hate groups reoriented their strategy away from the federal government to state and local elected offi-
cials. A particular emphasis was placed on developing relationships with governors, state legislatures and sheriffs, especially in U.S. states bordering
Mexico. For the anti-immigrant movement, this reorientation is necessary for the movement to maintain its influence on immigration policy. Dan
Stein, president of the one of the leading anti-immigrant hate groups, Federation for American Immigration Reform, summed this dynamic up by say-
ing, “In this environment, our state legislatures and governors are the last line of defense.” The nativist movement continues to manufacture fear
around undocumented immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers arriving at the U.S. border. Some groups have also encouraged supporters to con-
tact their members of Congress to vote against legislation aimed at addressing the country’s fractured immigration system.
WHAT’S AHEAD The anti-immigrant hate movement is likely to focus its time and energy mobilizing its extensive state and local-level networks.
Groups in this movement can be expected to demonize the arrival of undocumented migrants at the U.S. Southern border to continue pushing for
a broader nativist agenda.

50 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

65 Anti-LGBTQ
A central theme of anti-LGBTQ organizing and ideology is the opposition to LGBTQ
rights, often couched in demonizing rhetoric and grounded in harmful pseudoscience Illinois Family Institute Ruth Institute
that portrays LGBTQ people as threats to children, society and often public health. Tinley Park, IL* Lake Charles, LA*
Liberty Baptist Church Save California
Rock Falls, IL* Sacramento, CA*
3 0 0
Liberty Counsel Scott Lively Ministries
0
0 Orlando, FL* Springfield, MA*
0 1
1 0
1 Mass Resistance Stedfast Baptist Church
1 2 0
0 0 Waltham, MA* Fort Worth, TX*
0 2
1 0 California Oklahoma City, OK
4 1 4 0
1 0
0 4 1 0 1 0
California (two chapters) Strong Hold Baptist
0 1 0 Colorado Church
9 1
1 2 0 Texas Norcross, GA*
5 0 0
1 West Virginia Sure Foundation Baptist
1 0 2
Wyoming Church
5 3
0 Mission: America Vancouver, WA*
Columbus, OH* Honolulu, HI
1 5 Pacific Justice Institute Spokane, WA
Sacramento, CA* Tom Brown Ministries
All Scripture Baptist Campus Ministry USA, Faithful Word Baptist Salem, OR El Paso, TX*
Church The Church San Jose, CA True Light Pentecost
Knoxville, TN* Terre Haute, IN* Tempe, AZ* Santa Ana, CA Church
Alliance Defending Center for Family and Tucson, AZ Seattle, WA Spartanburg, SC*
Freedom Human Rights (C-FAM) Family Research Pass the Salt Ministries United Families
Scottsdale, AZ* New York, NY* Council Hebron, OH* International
American College of Chalcedon Foundation Washington, DC* Pilgrims Covenant Gilbert, AZ*
Pediatricians Vallecito, CA* Family Watch Church Verity Baptist Church
Gainesville, FL* Church Militant/St. International Monroe, WI* Sacramento, CA*
American Family Michael’s Media Gilbert, AZ* Pray in Jesus Name Warriors for Christ
Association Ferndale, MI* First Works Baptist Project, The Mount Juliet, TN*
Tupelo, MS* Concerned Christian Church Colorado Springs, CO* Westboro Baptist
Franklin, PA Citizens El Monte, CA* Probe Ministries Church
American Vision Temple, TX* Generations Plano, TX* Topeka, KS*
Powder Springs, GA* D. James Kennedy Elizabeth, CO* Public Advocate of the World Congress of
Americans for Truth Ministries Heterosexuals United States Families/International
About Homosexuality Fort Lauderdale, FL* Organized for a Moral Merrifield, VA* Organization for the
Naperville, IL* Faith Baptist Church Environment (H.O.M.E.) Revival Baptist Church Family
ATLAH Media Network Violet, LA* Downers Grove, IL Clermont, FL* Rockford, IL*
New York, NY* Baton Rouge, LA Jacksonville, FL

TOP TAKEAWAYS While staying at 65 groups, the movement saw one of the most successful years of anti-LGBT legislation. With this hike in anti-
LGBT legislation, specifically anti-trans legislation, we also saw an extreme increase in this past year, as fatal violence against trans and gender
non-conforming individuals numbered into the 50s. Despite the violence and restricting legislation against the LGBTQ community, which continues
to climb, anti-LGBTQ groups continue to peddle pseudo-science, spew demonizing rhetoric and further attack LGBTQ community through legislation
under the guise of “religious liberty.”
KEY MOMENTS This past year on the federal level we saw the Equality Act get blocked by the Senate. We also saw the decision of Fulton v. City of
Philadelphia, allowing exemptions with city child welfare organizations to continue to deny foster status for LGBTQ individuals, alongside Jewish and
Mormon individuals. During Dr. Rachel Levine’s confirmation hearing for U.S. assistant secretary for health, Sen. Rand Paul quoted pseudoscience-
based statistics by the American College of Pediatricians as he attempted to derail her confirmation hearing with transphobic remarks. Anti-LGBTQ
groups were deeply involved in overturning Roe v. Wade.
On the state level, over 250 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced, many of which were to deny transgender youth from participating in sports. These bills
were predominantly introduced by anti-LGBTQ groups, according to a Human Rights Campaign report. However, 15 of the bills were successfully
enacted, more than the total of the past three years.
WHAT’S AHEAD The anti-trans movement has renewed their push for “Parental Rights” already this year as a “Don’t Say Gay” bill has been intro-
duced in Florida, which would restrict teachers from mentioning anything to do with the LGBTQ community or history. We can expect to see more
legislation that continues to restrict and deny affirming care for transgender youth and further demonize at-risk LGBTQ youth. And we have not seen
the end of the effort to ban books on LGBTQ issues at the state and local level.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 51

50 Anti-Muslim
Anti-Muslim hate groups are a relatively new phenomenon in the U.S., with many
appearing after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. They broadly defame Islam
and traffic in conspiracy theories portraying Muslims as a subversive threat to the
nation. This gives rise to a climate of fear, hate and intimidation directed toward
Muslims, or those perceived to be.

ACT for America American Freedom Global Faith Institute TOP TAKEAWAYS Anti-Muslim hate
Washington, DC* Law Center Omaha, NE* groups dropped to 50 active groups in
Tucson, AZ Ann Arbor, MI* Jihad Watch 2021, from 72 in 2020. Despite dimin-
San Fernando, CA Bureau on American Manchester, NH* ishing in sheer numbers, these groups
San Gabriel, CA Islamic Relations Last Chance Patriots remain a political force in the United
Laguna Woods, CA Irving, TX* Dayton, MT* States, particularly within right-wing
Santa Clarita, CA Center for Security Political Islam media and politics. The drop was largely
Los Angeles, CA Policy Nashville, TN* from inactivity from ACT for America
Mission Viejo, CA Washington, DC* Radio Jihad/Global chapters and other local groups.
Corona, CA Counter Jihad Coalition Patriot Radio KEY MOMENTS 2021 marked the 20th
Cheshire, CT Santa Monica, CA* New York County, NY* anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist
Connecticut Cultures in Context Red-Green Axis Exposed attacks. The attacks spurred an organized
Bear, DE Incorporated/Turning Brecksville, OH* network of groups devoted to vilifying
Heathrow, FL Point Project Refugee Resettlement Islam, a network that still thrives today. In
Viera, FL Immokalee, FL* Watch 2021, President Biden rescinded Trump’s
Des Plaines, LA David Horowitz Freedom Fairplay, MD* discriminatory travel ban restrict-
Metairie, LA Center Shoebat Foundation, ing visitors from predominantly Muslim
Baton Rouge, LA Sherman Oaks, CA The countries, to the dismay of anti-Muslim
Hopkinton, MA Florida Family Newtown, PA* hate groups. In the post-Trump era, some
Hollis, NH Association Straight Way and More, anti-Muslim groups are expanding their
Houston, TX Tampa, FL* The focus from single-issue Islamophobia to
Vancouver, WA Fortress of Faith Marble Hill, MO* other hot-button conservative causes
Spokane Valley, WA Bellingham, WA* Truth in Love Project such as manufacturing hysteria around
Alert America.news Foundation for Maryville, TN* critical race theory, China, the U.S.
Hauppage, NY* Advocating Christian Truth in Textbooks Southern border and the government’s
American Freedom Truth Boerne, TX* response to the coronavirus. But anti-
Alliance Bronx, NY* Understanding the Muslim groups’ wholesale opposition to
Encino, CA* G416 Patriots Threat resettling Afghan refugees in the U.S.
American Freedom Meridian, ID Dallas, TX* underscore they remain Islamophobic at
Defense Initiative Glasov Gang United West, The their core.
New York, NY* Productions Palm Beach County, FL* WHAT’S AHEAD National and local
Los Angeles, CA* opposition to refugees is likely to con-
tinue into 2022. Anti-Muslim groups will
also try to build and fortify their political
connections. ACT for America’s Brigitte
3 1 0 Gabriel was pictured with right-wing
0 Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren
0
0 0 Boebert at an invite-only radio event
0 1
0 1 4 0 in Washington, D.C., hosted by an anti-
0 2 immigrant hate group. Gabriel and other
1 1
1 0 Islamophobic figures are members of the
1 0 1 2
0 0 secretive and influential right-wing coali-
0 0 0 1 0 1
0 0 1 tion Council for National Policy.
11 2
0 2 0
1 0 0
0
0 0 0
4 2
0

0 6

52 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

61 Antisemitism
As a standalone ideology, adherents to antisemitic hate groups seek to racialize
Jewish people and vilify them as the manipulative puppet masters behind an
economic, political and social scheme to undermine white people. Antisemitism
also undergirds much of the far right, unifying adherents across various hate
ideologies around efforts to subvert and misconstrue the collective suffering of
Jewish people in the Holocaust and cast them as conniving opportunists.

Carolynyeager.net Grand Rapids, MI 0 0 0

Kerrville, TX* Greensboro, NC 0
0
Committee for Open Greenville, SC 0 1
0 1
Debate on the Holocaust Houston, TX 0 2 3 0
York, PA Indianapolis, IN 0 0
0 2
3 0
Goyim Defense League Jacksonville, FL 0 1 1 1 0
0 1 3
Petaluma, CA* Lexington, KY 0 1 0 1
2 2 1
Independent History & Los Angeles, CA 6 1
2 1 4
Research Louisville, KY 0 1
1 2
Coeur d’Alene, ID* Memphis, TN 0 3 2
Institute for Historical Miami, FL 5 3
Review Milwaukee, WI 0
Newport Beach, CA* Mobile, AL 4
0
Nation of Islam Monroe, LA
Chicago, IL* Montgomery, AL
Atlanta, GA New Orleans, LA
Birmingham, AL New York, NY Springfield, MA
Brooklyn, NY Newark, NJ St. Louis, MO
Brunswick, GA Norfolk, VA St. Petersburg, FL
Charlotte, NC North Little Rock, AR Tampa, FL
Cleveland, OH Oakland, CA Trenton, NJ
Columbia, SC Oklahoma City, OK Tulsa, OK
Compton, CA Philadelphia, PA
Dallas, TX Phoenix, AZ
Denver, CO Pittsburgh, PA
Detroit, MI Richmond, VA
Dorchester, MA Rochester, NY
Durham, NC San Antonio, TX
Fort Worth, TX Shreveport, LA

TOP TAKEAWAYS In 2020, the SPLC first began designating hate groups based solely on their antisemitism. 2021 is the first year that those groups
have been pulled out from under the General Hate ideology umbrella and featured on their own exclusive map. Made up largely of hate groups that
deny and obscure facts about the Holocaust, as well as chapters of the Nation of Islam, the number of antisemitic hate groups dropped from 74 in
2020 to 61 in 2021. However, a decline in the number of active hate chapters doesn’t necessarily evidence a drop in the prevalence of antisemitism in
the United States.
KEY MOMENTS Throughout 2021, the imagery and history of the Holocaust was invoked and manipulated by figures on the far right seeking to
spread anti-mask and anti-COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories. Those seeking to exploit the genocide for their own political gain exemplify the
insidious nature of Holocaust denial.
More broadly, antisemitism reached far beyond the confines of hate group membership in 2021. As the backbone of many political, social and
public health-related conspiracy theories, early reports on antisemitic hate crimes across the country are high. Similarly, a recent study from the
Center to Counter Digital Hate found that social media platforms failed to act on 84% of antisemitic posts that were flagged using the companies‘
own user-reporting tools.
WHAT’S AHEAD As in years past, antisemitic hate groups that specifically propagate disinformation about the Holocaust will remain relatively stag-
nant in 2022. The Nation of Islam – which makes up the bulk of active antisemitic hate groups – experienced a decline in the number of chapters in
2021, most likely due to fewer in-person gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, firm in their anti-vaccine stance, the Nation of Islam
will most likely shirk COVID-19 cautionary measures in 2022 and remain relatively stable in terms of chapter activity.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 53

295 General Hate
Groups listed under the General Hate category defy simple categorization. They
embrace a broad range of bigotries, including misogyny, antisemitism, and anti-
Black, anti-immigrant, and anti-Muslim views.

HATE MUSIC (11) Christ or Chaos Dixie Giftshop Las Vegas, NV Adamsville, AL
A.D.S. Services Corsicana, TX* Tennessee Charlotte, NC Phoenix, AZ
Pennsylvania* Culture Wars/Fidelity European-American Cleveland, OH North Little Rock, AR
BeaSSt Productions Press Evangelistic Crusade Nashville, TN Bakersfield, CA
Roanoke, VA* South Bend, IN* Sheridan, CA Memphis, TN Sacramento, CA
Black Metal Cult Fatima Crusader, The/ Great Millstone San Antonio, TX Los Angeles, CA
Records International Fatima New York, NY* Dallas, TX Centennial, CO
Phoenix, AZ* Rosary Crusade Birmingham, AL Houston, TX Pompano Beach, FL
Brotherhood of Light Buffalo, NY* Little Rock, AR Milwaukee, WI Jacksonville, FL
Recordings In the Spirit of Chartres Los Angeles, CA House of David Apopka, FL
California* Committee Denver, CO Brooklyn, NY* Tallahassee, FL
H8 Propagand Art Glenelg, MD* West Palm Beach, FL House of Israel Riverdale, GA
Ohio Remnant, The/The Miami, FL New York, NY* Savannah, GA
ISD Records/NS88 Remnant Press Tampa, FL Inglewood, CA Honolulu, HI
Video Forest Lake, MN* Valdosta, GA Washington, DC Chicago, IL
Denison, TX Slaves of the Atlanta, GA Atlanta, GA Kansas City, KS
MSR Productions Immaculate Heart of Honolulu, HI Detroit, MI Louisville, KY
Gering, NE* Mary Chicago, IL Buffalo, NY Lafayette, LA
Tightrope Records Town of Richmond, NH* Indianapolis, IN Philadelphia, PA New Orleans, LA
Arkansas* Tradition in Action Des Moines, IA Insight USA Upper Marlboro, MD
United Riot Records Los Angeles, CA* Louisiana Altamonte Springs, FL Brockton, MA
New York * OTHER (274) Baltimore, MD International Society of Grand Rapids, MI
Vinlandic Werwolf Ambassadors of Christ Detroit, MI Indigenous Sovereigns Detroit, MI
Distribution Brooklyn, NY* Mississippi Atlanta, GA* Minneapolis, MN
California* Chicago, IL Kansas City, MO Israel United in Christ Jackson, MS
Winter Solace American Free Press St. Louis, MO Mount Vernon, NY* St. Louis, MO
Productions Upper Marlboro, MD* Omaha, NE Mobile, AL Las Vegas, NV
Wausau, WI* American Reformation
Realist Report, The Front 4 0
1
Long Beach, CA* Texas 5
1
The Barnes Review Army of Israel 1 4
White Plains, MD* Missouri* 4 3
2 8 21 0
MALE SUPREMACY (1) Bill Keller Ministries 1 2
3 3
A Voice for Men St. Petersburg, FL 10 1
9 4 9 2
5 4
Roanoke, VA Black Riders Liberation 1 4 2 10 0 1
4 7 7
RADICAL TRADITIONALIST Party 27 7
CATHOLIC (9) Los Angeles, CA* 4 28 15
6 1 3
Catholic Apologetics Bomb Islam 5
4 6 11
International Phoenix, AZ 24 5
Greencastle, PA* Brother Nathanael 0
Catholic Family News/ Foundation, The
3 24
Catholic Family Priest River, ID
Ministries, Inc. Chick Publications
Niagara Falls, NY* Ontario, CA

TOP TAKEAWAYS The Proud Boys ramped up their activity this year after a brief hiatus following the Jan. 6 insurrection. The group was present at
more than 100 public events throughout the year, and their chapters jumped from 43 in 2020 to 72 in 2021.
KEY MOMENTS Roughly 100 Proud Boys were present at the Jan. 6 insurrection and, according to prosecutors, members of the group were among
the first to enter the Capitol. Roughly 40 members were charged with crimes related to their participation in the insurrection, including leaders
Joseph Biggs and Ethan Nordean.
Beginning in July, then-Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was imprisoned for setting fire to a Black Lives Matter banner in December 2020 in
Washington, D.C. He was released in January 2022.
WHAT’S AHEAD Though the Proud Boys continue to fight legal battles, the group will remain mobilized in 2022. As Republican politicians use more
openly violent rhetoric, the Proud Boys’s brand of authoritarian politics is shifting further into the political mainstream. The threat the group poses
is likely to elevate during the 2022 midterms and the 2024 presidential election.

54 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

Newark, NJ Durham, NC New Black Panther Michigan Sicarii 1715
Rochester, NY Greenville, NC Party for Self Defense Minnesota San Diego, CA*
Mount Vernon, NY Greensboro, NC Washington, DC Neosho, MO Phoenix, AZ
Raleigh, NC Charlotte, NC Tampa, FL Kansas City, MO San Francisco, CA
Concord, NC Las Vegas, NV Jacksonville, FL St. Louis, MO Long Beach, CA
Heath, OH Dayton, OH Mississippi Montana Tampa, FL
Tulsa, OK Cincinnati, OH St. Louis, MO Nebraska Miami, FL
Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma City, OK Charlotte, NC Carson City, NV Orlando, FL
Philadelphia, PA Pittsburgh, PA Memphis, TN Las Vegas, NV Atlanta, GA
Turtle Creek, PA Upper Darby, PA Northern Kingdom New Hampshire Illinois
Columbia, SC Simpsonville, SC Prophets New Jersey Dallas, TX
Nashville, TN Memphis, TN Pueblo, CO* New Mexico Seattle, WA
Memphis, TN Nashville, TN Official Street Rochester, NY Sons of Liberty Media
Lubbock, TX Killeen, TX Preachers Syracuse, NY (formerly You Can
White Settlement, TX Austin, TX Los Angeles, CA Albany, NY Run But You Cannot
Houston, TX Dallas, TX OneBody in Rockville Center, NY Hide)
Killeen, TX Houston, TX Yashawashi New York, NY Annandale, MN*
Corpus Christi, TX Norfolk, VA Dallas, TX* Wilmington, NC Thomas More Law
San Antonio, TX Milwaukee, WI Power of Prophecy Hillsborough, NC Center
Newport News, VA Israelites Saints of Spicewood, TX Kernersville, NC Ann Arbor, MI
Tacoma, WA Christ Proud Boys Toledo, OH True National Israelite
Alabama Richmond, VA* Alabama Dayton, OH Congregation
Israelite School of Birmingham, AL Arizona Columbus, OH Los Angeles, CA*
Universal Practical North Carolina Redding, CA Oklahoma TruNews
Knowledge Jewish Task Force Placerville, CA Creswell, OR Vero Beach, FL
Upper Darby, PA* Fresh Meadows, NY San Francisco, CA Salem, OR United Nuwaupians
Phoenix, AZ Last Frontier Bakersfield, CA Portland, OR Worldwide, The/All
Oakland, CA Evangelism Modesto, CA Harrisburg, PA Eyes on Egipt
Los Angeles, CA Texas Orange County, CA Philadelphia, PA Washington, DC
Hartford, CT Lion of Judah – Fresno, CA Rhode Island Lithonia, GA
Wilmington, DE Jeshurun Lions Los Angeles, CA Charleston, SC Chicago, IL
Washington, DC Chicago, IL* Sacramento, CA Columbia, SC Detroit, MI
Jacksonville, FL Lordship Church Colorado South Dakota Charlotte, NC
Atlanta, GA Bonners Ferry, ID Connecticut Tennessee Cleveland, OH
Chicago, IL Luxor Couture Washington, DC Austin, TX Philadelphia, PA
Indianapolis, IN Atlanta, GA* Fort Myers, FL Houston, TX Charleston, SC
Louisville, KY Masharah Yasharahla Tallahassee, FL Dallas, TX War On The Horizon/
Louisiana – Government of Sarasota, FL Utah Straight Black Pride
Baltimore, MD Israel Orlando, FL Virginia Movement
Boston, MA Raleigh, NC* Tampa, FL Spokane, WA Washington, DC
Detroit, MI Masjid al Islam – As Jacksonville, FL Seattle, WA Watchmen for Israel
Minneapolis, MN Sabiqun Miami, FL Wisconsin Baltimore, MD*
Mississippi Washington, DC Hawai’i RAIR Foundation USA United Sabaeans
Kansas City, MO Nation of Kings and Idaho New Fishkill, NY Worldwide, The
St. Louis, MO Priests Crystal Lake, IL Rense Radio Network Brooklyn, NY*
Trenton, NJ Orlando, FL* Chicago, IL Ashland, OR
Newark, NJ New Black Panther Indiana Revolutionary Black
Rochester, NY Party Kansas Panther Party
Syracuse, NY Houston, TX* Kentucky Louisville, KY
New York, NY Atlanta, GA Maine Rooshv.com
Fayetteville, NC Baton Rouge, LA Massachusetts Silver Spring, MD*

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 55

Antigovernment Groups in 2021
SPLC identified 488 antigovernment groups in 2021 (92 militias, 75 sovereign citizen, 3 constitutional sheriff, 52
conspiracy propagandist). The conspiratorial view of government was pervasive, as evidenced by popular con-
spiracies about COVID-19, school curriculum, voter fraud and border security. The Jan. 6 insurrection was the
most public moment for the antigovernment movement since the Oklahoma City bombing. Of over 700 people
charged for actions on Jan. 6, at least 25 were members of antigovernment organizations.

92 Militia
The militia movement is just one subcategory under the larger antigovernment
movement. These groups are characterized by their obsession with FTXs (field
training exercises), guns, uniforms typically resembling those worn in the armed
forces, and a warped interpretation of the Second Amendment. Antigovernment
militia groups engage in firearm training and maintain internal hierarchical
command structures.

1 0 0
1
American Patriots Three Georgia Three 1
0 1
Percent Percent Martyrs 0 3
0 5 4 1
Pennsylvania* Bremen, GA* 0 1
1 0
Arizona III% Security Force 10 0
0 2 16 0
Idaho Georgia 1 5
1 1 0 3 1 0
Louisiana III% United 0 3 0
4 0
New Jersey Patriots 0 5
2
Oklahoma Johnstown, CO* 8 0 1
0
Texas Florida 1 0 3
Utah Georgia 4 1
Arizona Border Recon Minnesota 0
Phoenix, AZ North Carolina
0 2
Arizona State Militia Oklahoma
Sierra Vista, AZ* Virginia
Arkansas Defense Force Indiana Citizens Michigan Home Guard Oath Keepers Ohio Minutemen Militia
Arkansas* Volunteer Militia Michigan* Las Vegas, NV* Oak Harbor, OH*
Bedford County Militia Indiana Michigan Liberty Militia Chino Valley, AZ Ohio State Regular
Bedford, VA* Iron City CRU (Citizens Barry County, MI Westfield, IN Militia
California State Militia Response Unit) Michigan Militia Corps St. Louis, MO Ohio*
Southwest Grove, CA Pittsburgh, PA Wolverines Bergen County, NJ Ohio Valley Minutemen
Central, CA Irregulars of Ohio Michigan* Northvale, NJ Citizen’s Volunteer
Los Angeles, CA Reserve Militia Missouri Militia Cape May, NJ Militia
Carlisle Light Infantry Ohio* St Joseph, MO Columbus County, NC Charleston, WV
Carlisle, PA* Last Militia, The Kansas City, MO Pennsylvania Patriots for America
Civilian Defense Force Hamilton County, OH* New England Florida Dallas, TX*
Phoenix, AZ Preble County, OH Minutemen Mississippi Pennsylvania Light Foot
Fayette County, PA* Clark County, OH New Hamphshire* Nebraska Militia
Cottonwood Militia Montgomery County, OH New York Militia New Jersey Pennsylvania
Cottonwood, CA* Summit County, OH Schaghticoke, NY* North Carolina Pennsylvania Oath
Emergency Non-Profit Butler County, OH Tillson, NY Texas Keepers
Assisting Communities Last Sons of Liberty Broadalbin, NY Ohio Defense Force Lake City, PA*
Dauphin, PA* Virginia* North East Ohio Home Guard Pennsylvania Volunteer
Frontiersmen, The Light Foot Militia Woodsmen Zanesville, OH* Militia
Ravenna, OH Kootenai County, ID East Rochester, OH* New Lexington, OH Duncansville, PA*
Genesee County Maine Militia Northern Arizona Militia Ohio Militiamen Proud American Patriots
Volunteer Militia Belfast, ME* Golden Valley, AZ Ohio* Network
Genesee Twp, MI Jamison, PA*

56 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

 Real Three Percenters Veterans on Patrol
Idaho, The Pima County, AZ
Idaho* Watchmen
Reapers Constitutional Concord, NC*
Militia of Ohio Buffalo, NY
Cortland, OH* West Ohio Minutemen
Southeast Michigan Lima, OH
Volunteer Militia
Michigan
Southern Arizona Militia
Arizona
Stokes County Militia
King, NC*
This Is Texas Freedom
Force
Texas*
Three Percent of
Washington
Washington
Vermont State Militia
White River, VT

TOP TAKEAWAYS The militia movement is primarily driven

by fear of gun confiscation, globalization and antigovernment
conspiracy theories; though these are perennial fears, the
urgency to organize outside of legitimate channels increases
during liberal administrations. Over the past few years, these
groups have primarily rallied around former President Donald
Trump and continue to propagate “The Big Lie” that Trump
actually won the 2020 presidential election. Fears activat-
ing these groups include conspiracies around the Black Lives
Matter movement and antifa, COVID-19 health guidelines, and
immigration.
KEY MOMENTS Various antigovernment militia groups
were present at the Jan. 6 insurrection. Following the attack,
several members of the Oath Keepers have been charged for
their role in storming the Capitol. The leader of the group,
Stewart Rhodes, is currently being held without bail. In 2021,
militia groups near the Arizona border mobilized and formed
networks to detain migrants in the Sonora Desert. The group
Veterans on Patrol has been leading the charge, along with
several other armed militants. The Southern Poverty Law
Center alerted the Department of Homeland Security about
the detainments in July and continues monitoring the situa-
tion on the ground.
WHAT’S AHEAD Various antigovernment militia groups
were present at the Jan. 6 insurrection. Following the attack,
several members of the Oath Keepers have been charged for
their role in storming the Capitol. The leader of the group,
ZACH D ROBERTS/NURPHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES

Stewart Rhodes, is currently being held without bail. In 2021,

militia groups near the Arizona border mobilized and formed
networks to detain migrants in the Sonora Desert. The group
Veterans on Patrol has been leading the charge, along with
several other armed militants. The Southern Poverty Law
Thousands of people gathered at the Virginia State
Center alerted the Department of Homeland Security about
Capitol in Richmond on Jan. 19, 2021, to promote lax
the detainments in July and continues monitoring the situa-
gun regulations. Among them were at least 18 militias
tion on the ground. and 34 hate and extremist groups tracked by the SPLC.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 57

 75 Sovereign Citizens
Sovereign citizens believe they are not under the jurisdiction of the federal
government and consider themselves exempt from U.S. law. They use a variety of
conspiracy theories and falsehoods to justify their beliefs and their activities, some
of which are illegal and violent. Freedom from Reign of the Heavens
Government Society
Gabbs, NV Ontario, CA
Freedom School Florida*
1 0 1 Austin, TX Republic for the United
1 Freedom Yell States of America
1
0 3 Ozark, AL Dothan, AL
4 1 HISAdvocates.org
0 0 2 0 Fullerton, CA
0 1 Costa Mesa, CA Wisconsin
0 0
1 1 March to Exodus Republic of Texas
1 2 1 0
2 4
2 4 0 Elkton, MD* Bastrop County, TX
1 0 0
0 1 1 Moorish Science Temple Rise of the Moors
11 0
0 0 1 of America 1928, The Pawtucket, RI*
2 2 1
0 Lithonia, GA* Sovereign Filing
0 3 4 National Assembly Solutions
4 1 Fairbanks, AL Morrow, GA*
1
Arkansas Sovereignty Education
4 5 Arizona and Defense Ministry
Riverside, CA San Diego, CA*
Douglas County, CO Statewide Common Law
America’s Remedy Nevada Creditors Debtors Littleton, CO Grand Jury
Charlotte, NC Missouri Contracts in Commerce Miami, FL Arcadia, FL*
American States Alamogordo, NM (CDCIC) Florida Team Law
Assembly, The New York, NY Norfolk, VA* Honolulu, HI Grand Junction, CO*
Stanislaus County, CA Oregon El Moroccan Empire Maui County, HI United States of
Ventura, CA Atlantic Beach, FL at New Jersey State Jersey City, NJ America Republic
Lithonia, GA Arizona Republic North Dakota Government
Maine Colorado New Jersey* Loveland, OH Alabama
Pennsylvania Washington Embassy of Heaven Box Elder County, UT Chicago, IL
Indiana Hawai’i Stayton, OR Utah Merrillville, IN
Texas Circle of Sovereigns Empire Washitaw de National Liberty New Jersey
Wisconsin Hawai’i Dugdahmoundyah Alliance Milwaukee, WI
Minnesota Constitutional Law Richwood, LA Hyde Park, NY
New Hampshire Group The Foundation Oregon States Jural
Wendell, ID San Antonio, TX* Walnut, CA* Assembly
Los Angeles, CA Corporate Freedom Freedom Bound Beaverton, OR*
Alameda, CA Group International R.V. Bey Publications
Orange County, CA Atlanta, GA* Klamath Falls, OR Pleasantville, NJ*

TOP TAKEAWAYS 2021 saw growth in sovereign citizen groups. Increased recruitment was largely due to their participation in the QAnon movement,
which has cross-pollinated with sovereign and other conspiracy theories. These groups also gained members from the conspiratorial wing of the anti-
vaccine movement, attracted by sovereign citizens’ claims of individual autonomy and non-compliance with the law. Rival sovereign citizen organizations
National Assembly and the American States Assembly both gained new chapters. Both organizations believe the U.S. government will fall, and they are
working to build their own shadow governments they think will immediately take over.
KEY MOMENTS In March 2021, sovereign citizens used a QAnon Worldwide Freedom Rally in Hawaii to recruit members. Sovereign Kelby Smith
of HISAdvocates and Republic for the United States of America shared COVID disinformation with his members, including listing gospel music as a
cure for COVID. On July 3, sovereign group Rise of the Moors had an armed standoff with Massachusetts police while on their way to Maine for train-
ing. Group members did not have firearm or vehicle licenses. The standoff shut down the I-95 highway. Members were arrested and charged, and
subsequently filed a $70 million lawsuit against the Massachusetts State Police and various media outlets, claiming they were not U.S. citizens and
requesting the case be “litigated in international court, consular court, or federal court with consul’s present.”
WHAT’S AHEAD Sovereign citizen group reach will continue to grow as they mix and mingle with other far-right conspiracy movements. In some
cases, far right-aligned groups may become further radicalized by engaging sovereign citizen beliefs. Sovereign citizen groups have often played on
the fringe, but their ideas may play a growing role in the larger hard-right movement.

58 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

52 Conspiracy Propagandists
Conspiracy propagandists exist as a subcategory under the antigovernment extremist designation. This
subcategory is made up of organizations that, as the name implies, deploy conspiracy theories and falsehoods
to delegitimize government institutions or government officials. A few examples of these conspiracy theories
include ideas about door-to-door gun confiscations, martial law, supposed takeover of the U.S. by the “New
World Order” and demonization of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Alt-Market.com Tennessee Redoubt News Texas Eagle Forum

Pittsburgh, PA* Houston, TX Priest River, ID* Dallas, TX
American Freedom American Fork, UT Montana The Healthy American
Network Tacoma, WA Redpill Roadshow San Clemente, CA*
Johnstown, CO* Medical Kidnap Cape Coral, FL TruthRadioShow.com
Citizen Review Huntsville, AL* Republic Broadcasting Hope, RI*
Sequim, WA* Natural News Round Rock, TX Uncle Sam’s Misguided
Connecting the Dots Cody, WY Rule of Law Radio Children
Chicago, IL North Western Research Austin, TX Sarasota, FL*
Genesis Communication Institute Silver Bear Café What Really Happened
Network Washington* Garland, TX Santa Claus, IN*
Saint Paul, MN Now the End Begins Silver Shield Xchange Women Fighting for
InfoWars Jacksonville, FL Cleveland, OH* America
Austin, TX* Post and Email, The Stand Up America U.S. Jacksonville, FL*
Jeremiah Films Canterbury, CT Bigfork, MT* WorldNetDaily
Los Angeles, CA* Prophecy Club Texans4Truth Washington, DC*
John Birch Society Resources, The Georgetown, TX*
Appleton, WI* Topeka, KS
Huntsville, AL
Mobile, AL
Mesa, AZ 3 5 0
Norwich, CT 1
Auburndale, FL 0
0 1
Florida 0 3
Barnesville, GA 1 0 2 0
0 0
Preston, ID 0 0
Boise, ID 2 1
1 1 2 2
0 1
Billings, MT 1 1 1 0 0 0
Lincoln County, MT 0 0 0
New Jersey 2 1
Albany, NY 1 1 0
1 0 0
Saratoga Springs, NY 1
Ohio 0 2 1
Tulsa, OK 7 0
Lancaster, PA 0
South Carolina
0 6

TOP TAKEAWAYS Extremists under the antigovernment conspiracy propagandist designation focus on presenting false, sometimes even deliberately
fabricated information, as fact. With the emergence of social media, propagandists have leveraged the ability to reach large numbers of uninformed peo-
ple and flood online spaces with wild unsubstantiated claims decrying government institutions and key figures as “tyrannical.”
KEY MOMENTS Today, many Trump loyalists continue pushing the false narrative that the 2020 general election was stolen, despite exhaustive
evidence to the contrary. Rioters from the Jan. 6 insurrection, many of whom were inspired by popular antigovernment conspiracies theories, are
still being identified and apprehended. Additionally, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the country, antigovernment extremists are ped-
dling the notion that civil liberties are being eroded with mask and vaccine mandates. Narratives labeling the virus a Chinese bioweapon continue to
circulate in extremist circles and have contributed to the vaccine hesitancy in some communities.
WHAT’S AHEAD As in previous years, antigovernment activity has increased during liberal administrations. With concerns over inflation, the delay
of goods and services due to the pandemic, a growing concern over the immigration crisis at the border, and a growing mistrust in the mainstream
media, it is likely that conspiracy theories will continue to flourish and adapt to current social anxieties.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 59

3 Constitutional Sheriffs
The constitutional sheriff concept is a subset of antigovernment ideology. Its origins are in the
two concepts of the county supremacy movement: The county and not the state or federal
governments should control all land within its borders, and the county sheriff is the ultimate
law enforcement authority in the U.S. This idea, known as Posse Comitatus, was pioneered by
Christian identity minister William Potter Gale in the 1970s.

0 0 0
0
0
0 0
0 1
0 0 0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0
0 0 0
2 0 0
0
0 0 0
0 0
0

0 0

Protect America Now Constitutional

Tempe, AZ* Sheriffs and Peace
Idaho Constitutional Officers Association
Sheriffs Higley, AZ
Idaho

TOP TAKEAWAYS In 2021 there were three active groups adhering to constitutional sheriff ideology. The
COVID-19 crisis spurred growth as many sheriffs equated government-enacted health guidelines regarding
masks and vaccines with tyranny. Some fringe sheriffs who refused to enforce public health rules were con-
stitutional sheriffs.
KEY MOMENTS Throughout 2021 Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA) held
trainings that radicalized sheriffs as “America’s last hope.” Over three dozen sheriffs attended an event
hosted by CSPOA and the Montgomery County, Texas, sheriff’s office in February. Leader Richard Mack
went on a speaking junket alongside a list of extremists. This included the Red Pill Expo hosted by conspir-
acy theorist G. Edward Griffin, a QAnon sovereign citizen rally in Hawaii, the Rod of Iron Ministries Freedom
Festival and the Arise USA tour hosted by the late antisemitic conspiracy theorist Robert David Steele. A
new national constitutional sheriff group emerged in 2021. The product of Republican political consultant
Nathan Sproul, the Arizona-based Protect America Now has an advisory board including constitutional
sheriffs from states including Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Virginia and Massachusetts.
WHAT’S AHEAD Constitutional sheriffs will likely continue to confuse personal beliefs with constitu-
tionality, using their elected positions as law enforcement to pick and choose laws. With several active
constitutional sheriff groups trying to recruit members, and antigovernment conspiracy theories running
rampant, more sheriffs may become radicalized, leading to a power struggle between their counties and
the state or federal government.

60 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

266 Antigovernment General
Antigovernment groups are part of the antidemocratic hard-right movement. They believe the federal
government is tyrannical, and they traffic in conspiracy theories about an illegitimate government of leftist elites
seeking a “New World Order.”

5 2 1
5
2nd Amendment Missouri 4
1 1
5 6
Patches.com New York 1 6 15 1
3 3
Halltown, MO North Carolina 0 3
11 1
12 5 13 2
America’s Survival, Inc. Ohio 6 5
8 8 2 9 2 3
Owings, MD* South Carolina 3 13 5
28 0
American Guard Tennessee 1 3 6
7 2 3
Indiana* Washington 2
5 6 3
American Patriot American Policy 11 1
Council Center 1

Michigan* Warrenton, VA 2 11
American Patriot Party American Regulators
Ashland, OR Goshen, OH* Citizens Militia of Metropolis, IL Bismarck, ND
American Patriot American Revolution Mississippi Bloomfield, IN New Lebanon, OH
Vanguard 2.0 Mississippi* Pleasant Hill, IA Chandler, OK
Rio Rancho, NM* Naperville, IL* Cold Dead Hands 2nd Lexington, KY Grants Pass, OR
California American States Amendment Advocacy Eunice, PA Lancaster, PA
Illinois Assembly, The Group Kennebunk, ME Lancaster County, PA
Illinois (two chapters) California Greenville, TX* Rockville, MD Taylors, SC
Indiana AVOW (Another Voice of Constitution Club, The Massachusetts Sioux Falls, SD
Minnesota Warning) Riverside, CA Grand Rapids, MI Iredell, TX
American Patriots Three Rigby, ID Constitution Party Redwood Falls, MN Bountiful, UT
Percent AZ Desert Guardians Montgomery, AL Newton County, MS Newport News, VA
Alabama Pima County, AZ Apache Junction, AZ St. Charles County, MO Spokane, WA
Arkansas Berks County Patriots Fort Smith, AZ Pulaski County, MO Weston, WV
California Blandon, PA* San Leandro, CA Cole County, MO Milwaukee, WV
Jacksonville, FL Border Network News Stanislaus County, CA Piedmont, MO Harville, WY
Indiana El Paso, TX Arvada, CO Lincoln, NE Constitutional Party of
Iowa Camp Constitution Jupiter, FL Elko, NV Alaska
Maine Charlotte, NC Woodstock, GA Auburn, NH Soldotna, AK
Massachusetts Center for Self Wailuku, HI Albuquerque, NM Constitutional Coalition
Minnesota Governance Coeur D’Alene, ID Buffalo, NY of New York State
Mississippi Republic, WA DuPage County, IL Charlotte, NC Cheektowaga, NY*

TOP TAKEAWAYS Of over 700 people charged for actions on Jan. 6, at least 25 were members of antigovernment organizations. Faced with
greater scrutiny, antigovernment groups reorganized locally. Ammon Bundy’s People’s Rights, notably, held a variety of small demonstrations. In the
Southwest, militias harassed migrants and humanitarian groups. Conspiracy propagandists, including the John Birch Society, and constitutional
sheriffs found an audience with COVID-19 skeptics, recruiting more broadly.
KEY MOMENTS The year started with the Jan. 6 insurrection, where violent extremists stormed the U.S. Capitol and protested at state Capitol
buildings in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Groups hosted conspiracy-focused events
including Red Pill Festivals, Arise USA Tour, Patriot Network Summit, ReAwaken America Health and Freedom Tour, the Rod of Iron Freedom Festival
and the For God & Country Patriot Double.
WHAT’S AHEAD The antigovernment movement will look to expand upon the popularity of foundational ideas related to guns, government distrust
and conspiracies. They will capitalize on current issues related to public health, school curriculum, natural resources, claims of election fraud and
immigration. They will seek to further mainstream their ideas, operationalize power by running for office, and mitigate damage to their brand in the
wake of Jan. 6. If historical trends are a guide, the movement could grow in response to federal government expansion and policy shifts under Biden.

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 61

Constitutional III% United Patriots News with Views Arizona Utah Citizens Alarm
Education & Consulting, Missouri Bowie County, TX California Utah*
KrisAnne Hall Texas Next News Network Colorado Utah Constitutional
Wellborn, FL Illinois Sons of Liberty Northbrook, IL* Florida Militia
Constitutional Rights Illinois* Oath Keepers Kansas Salt Lake City, UT*
PAC Institute on the Alabama Kalispell, MT Voices against Tyranny
McLean, VA* Constitution Arizona Nebraska Ohio*
Cowboys Motorcycle Delaware Orange County, NY Nevada Lansing, MI
Club Hawai’i Swan Lake, NY Oregon Watchmen of America
Idaho Evansville, IN Bayville, NY Texas Mississippi
Defense Distributed Caroline County, MD New York Utah We Are Change
Austin, TX* Minnesota Zuni, VA Washington New York, NY*
Democrats against U.N. Nebraska Goochland, VA Renew America San Dimas, CA
Agenda 21 New Hampshire Blackstone, VA Provo, UT* Fresno, CA
Santa Rosa, CA* Ohio Norfolk, VA Rhode Island Patriots Los Angeles, CA
Eagle Forum Tennessee Hanover County, VA Rhode Island* Walsenburg, CO
Alton, IL* Institution on the Bedford, VA Riders United for a Denver, CO
Dothan, AL Constitution (aka Fredericksburg, VA Sovereign America, Waterbury, CT
Birmingham, AL American View), The Washington Corp. Orlando, FL
Sacramento, CA Pasadena, MD* Georgia Tempe, AZ* Tampa, FL
Orange County, CA LewRockwell.com Woodstock, IL Rolling Patriots, The Rockford, IL
Santa Rosa, CA Auburn, AL Iowa East Aurora, NY* Chicago, IL
Missouri Liberty First University Ware, MA Sarasota Patriots Big Rapids, MI
Nebraska Wellborn, FL Michigan Sarasota, FL* Minnesota
Elko, NE Liberty Under Fire Ohio Secure Arkansas Las Vegas, NV
Bergenfield, NJ Taft, CA Utah Little Rock, AR Reno, NV
Uniontown, OH Long Island Loud Randolph, VT Sons of Liberty Survival New Jersey
South Jordan, UT Majority Wakefield, VA Outfitters New York
Educate Yourself Lindenhhurst, NY* Ohio Patriots Alliance Sparta, NJ* Raleigh, NC
Costa Mesa, CA Long Island Mutual Newark, OH* Southern Ohio North Carolina
Faith Education Assistance Group Outpost of Freedom Outdoorsmen Pennsylvania
Commerce (FEC United) Nassau County, NY* Los Molinos, CA Peebles, OH Texas
Parker, CO* Madison’s Militia Overpasses for America State of Jefferson Corpus Christi, TX
Denver, CO New Lebanon, NH* Illinois Formation Blacksburg, VA
Colorado Springs, CO Maine Volunteer Panhandle Patriots Shasta County, CA* West Coast Patriots
Grosse Pointe, MI Responders Riding Club Mariposa, CA Nevada*
First State Pathfinders West Gardiner, ME* Idaho* Stanislaus County, CA Wild Bill for America
Odessa, DE* Mamalitia Patriot America Sonora, CA South Daytona, FL
Free North Carolina Stockton, CA* Middletown, OH* Tehama County, CA
Cape Carteret, NC* San Bernardino, CA Patriot Depot, The Siskiyou County, CA
Freedom Coalition Marching Patriots, The Powder Springs, GA Harney County, OR
Live Oak, CA* East Aurora, NY* Patriot Party of AZ TEA New York
Freedom First Society Maulitia Motorcycle Glendale, AZ* Grand Island, NY*
Colorado Springs, CO* Club, The Patriot Shit Outfitters Tea Party of Kentucky
Freedom Law School Dauphin, PA* Bethel, OH* Louisville, KY
Spring Hill, FL Micro Effect, The Patriots at Large Tenth Amendment
Freedom Rising Sun Kamiah, ID Texas* Center
Logan, UT* My Brother’s Threepers Patriots for Delaware Los Angeles, CA*
Garden State 2A Smithsburg, MD* Georgetown, DE* Three Percent Liberty
Grassroots Organization National Constitutional Patriots for Ohio Defenders
Mulica Hill, NJ* Coalition of Patriotic Marysville, OH* Pennsylvania*
Gideon Knox Group, MT Americans Pennsylvania Homeland Timber Unity
Daily Gazette Bridgeport, WV* Shield Oregon*
Sidney, MT Connecticut Clarksburg, PA* True Texas Project
GraniteGrok Kansas Pennsylvania Patriots Texas*
Gilford, NH* Kentucky United Union of Three
Gun Owners of America Maine Oley, PA* Percenter American
Springfield, VA* Missouri Pennsylvania State Patriots
Florida New Jersey Militia Phoenix, AZ*
Harrisburg, PA Pennsylvania Pennsylvania* United States Justice
Heartland Defenders Tennessee People’s Rights Foundation
Ohio* Emmett, ID* Riverside, CA

62 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

Endnotes
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— and Spending Millions to Pass Them,” Salon.com, March 27, 2021, https://www. america-an-evolving-identity-or-a-culture-under-attack/.
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3. “This Record-Breaking Year for Anti-Transgender Legislation Would Affect what-the-proud-boys-did-after-jan-6.
Minors the Most,” CNN.com, April 15, 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/15/
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alongside Sitting Congressman,” Southern Poverty Law Center, accessed February tion/2021/11/21/22789363/gender-queer-proud-boys-downers-grove-north-
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THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 63

41. Janet Reitman, “‘I Helped Destroy People.’” The New York Times, September 1, 60. Hannah Gais, “Meet the White Nationalist Organizer Who Spewed Hate against
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ter.org/hatewatch/2021/01/19/meet-white-nationalist-organizer-who-spewed-
42. Michael German and Harsha Panduranga, “How to Combat White Supremacist hate-against-lawmakers.
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opinion/how-combat-white-supremacist-violence-avoid-flawed-post-911. Trump’s Capitol Insurrectionists,” Southern Poverty Law Center, January 7, 2021,
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pr/leader-neo-nazi-group-sentenced-plot-target-journalists-and-advocates. 62. Hannah Gais and Megan Squire, “Inside the Far-Right Podcast Ecosystem,
Part 1: Building a Network of Hate,” Southern Poverty Law Center, September 29,
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alt-tech-far-right-online-extremism-hate-speech-technology-news-19919/.

45. Hannah Gais, “YouTube Takes down Red Ice’s Main Channel,” Southern Pover-
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46. Megan Squire, “Alt-Tech & the Radical Right, Part 2: Inside the Radical Right’s
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47. Hannah Gais, “White Nationalist Who Met with Peter Thiel Admired Terroristic
Literature,” Southern Poverty Law Center, March 18, 2021, https://www.splcenter.
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48. “Re: Vaccine Disinformation,” Office of the Attorney General of the State of
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49. Michael Edison Hayden, “Meet DLive: The Livestreaming Platform Used
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50. Hannah Gais and Michael Edison Hayden, “Extremists Are Cashing in on a
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youth-targeted-gaming-website.

51. Megan Squire, “Monetizing Propaganda: How Far-right Extremists Earn Money
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52. Alex Kaplan, “Subscribestar Is Profiting from Conspiracy Theorists, QAnon

Influencers, and White Nationalists Using Its Platform — Despite Its Rules,” Media
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53. Shawn Boburg, “From Corporate America to Conspiracy Theory Promotion:

How a Minnesota Man Made a Career out of Anonymously Amplifying Dark Plots,”
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YouTube,” Datasociety.Net, accessed February 23, 2022, https://datasociety.net/
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by Video Streaming,” for WebSci ’21: 13th International ACM Conference on Web
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57. Will Sommer, “Neighbors Fear Bear-Themed Compound Will Be next Ruby
Ridge,” The Daily Beast, June 1, 2021, https://www.thedailybeast.com/neighbors-
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58. Jason Wilson, “Video Platform Chief Says Nazi Posts on White Superiority Do
Not Merit Removal,” The Guardian, May 14, 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/
world/2021/may/14/odysee-video-platform-nazi-content-not-grounds-for-removal.

59. Jason Wilson and Megan Squire, “Revealed: Startup Creates Streaming
Platform for Extremists on Big-Tech Infrastructure,” Southern Poverty Law Center.
December 19, 2021, https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2021/12/19/revealed-
startup-creates-streaming-platform-extremists-big-tech-infrastructure.

64 SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

Acknowledgments
The research for this report was conducted by the staff of the Southern Poverty
Law Center’s Intelligence Project: Lydia Bates, Eddie Bejarano, Rachel Carroll-
Rivas, Freddy Cruz, Hannah Gais, Tracey Gale, Rachel Goldwasser, Raven Hodges,
Rachel Janik, Caleb Kieffer, Cassie Miller, Ev Schlatter and Megan Squire. The
report was written by the Intelligence Project staff. Policy recommendations
were created by Intelligence Project staff in collaboration with Senior Policy
Counsel Michael Lieberman. Intelligence Project Deputy Director for Research
and Analysis Nate Schenkkan oversaw the report production process. Additional
editing, editorial support and editorial oversight were provided by Rachel Janik
and Angela Tuck, along with Intelligence Project Director Susan Corke. Copy
editing was provided by Chris Heller. Ethan Harfenist and Cameron Koob
provided fact-checking. Sunny Paulk designed the layout.

CREATIVE
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Chris Mihal
DEPUTY CREATIVE DIRECTOR Scott Phillips
SENIOR CREATIVE LEAD Kristina Turner
DESIGNERS Shannon Anderson, Hillary Andrews, Cierra Brinson, Sunny Paulk,
Jacob Saylor, Alex Trott, Claudia Whitaker
CREATIVE ASSOCIATE Angela Greer

THE YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM 3

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400 Washington Avenue U.S. Postage
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Montgomery, AL 36104 Southern Poverty
Law Center

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