The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reports white supremacist propaganda made a disturbing surge across the U.S. in 2020.
The report reveals that 5,125 cases of hate messages were reported compared to 2,724 in 2019. This included racism and antisemitism which were spread through flyers, posters, and banners.
A former extremist says crises like the pandemic and controversy over the 2020 election created opportunities to fuel the hate.
The propaganda occurred in every state except Hawaii, with more incidents reported in Texas, Washington, California, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
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Throughout last year, at least 30 white supremacist groups spread hate messages, but Patriot Front, New Jersey European Heritage Association, and Nationalist Social Club, were reportedly the groups most responsible for the dissemination.
According to ADL, Texas-based Patriot Front was responsible for 80 percent of the national distribution last year, totaling 4,105 incidents.
New Jersey European Heritage Association was linked to 10 percent of the national total and was accountable for 508 incidents in 2020. That is close to double the number of incidents in 2019.
And The Nationalist Social Club carried out the third-highest number of incidents. It’s considered to be a neo-Nazi group, and it was reportedly responsible for 102 incidents.
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ADL documented 283 incidents in 2020 that involved antisemitic language or targeted Jewish organizations – a 68 percent increase from 2019.
In 2020, white supremacist groups used banners and graffiti to spread their beliefs. At least 130 incidents involved white supremacist banners being unfurled – a large majority were from highway overpasses.
The ADL organization says that was the highest spread of hate speech in at least 10 years.
ADL did report a downward trend in white supremacist rallies last year. There were a reported 56 events compared to 76 in 2019.
Additionally, white supremacist propaganda spread on college campuses also decreased with 303 incidents in 2020 compared to 630 the year prior.
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