The Southern Poverty Law Center yearly report on the state of extremism in America has found that the number of hate groups grew for a third straight year in 2017. SPLC believes that white supremacists were energized by the Trump presidency and black nationalist groups rose in response.
SPLC has identified 954 hate groups — a 4 percent increase.You can find out where these hate groups are on their Hate Map.
According to the SPLC, the radical right started 2017 on a roll, with allies in the White House. But then came Charlottesville, and white supremacists faced a backlash. Still, they report that Trump’s rhetoric and the country’s changing demographics continue to energize them.
Here are the highlights:
- For the first time since 2009, hate groups were found in all 50 states.
- Neo-Nazi groups were up 22 percent, from 99 to 121.
- Anti-Muslim groups rose for a third straight year. After tripling in 2016, they added 13 more chapters last year and now have 114.
- Black nationalist groups expanded from 193 to 233 chapters in reaction to Trump and the rising white supremacist movement.
You can read the full report here.