474 Hate Groups Blanket America

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Issue Number:

Winter

1998

The yearly hate group count finds an actual rise of 20 percent. Christian Identity is profiled as a major source of ideology for the extreme right. Racist neo-Paganism takes a foothold with imprisoned and other white supremacists.

In This Issue

The Year in Hate, 1997

Active hate group count hits 474 in 1997

The count of active hate groups in the U.S. hits 474 in 1997, a 20% increase over the previous year.

Identity Crisis

Expanding race-hate faith underlies movement

The increasing extreme racism and antigovernment posturing of the Christian Identity faith accompanies a rise in Identity believers.

The New Barbarians

New brand of Odinist religion on the march

A racist brand of neo-Paganism, related to Odinism, spreads among white supremacists.

Resisting Arrest

Racist Resistance Records isn't slowing down

Resistance Records, even after a multinational crackdown, remains the nation's largest and most profitable purveyor of racist rock.

More Features

The Spreading Flood of Hate Editorial By Mark Potok, Senior Fellow During 1997, the number of hate groups exploded, while hate flooded the internet. Heinous hate crimes also sullied the year with violence.	The Klan Overseas They're not just in the U.S. anymore The Klan, which has always claimed British roots, is organizing throughout Scotland and England.
A Skinhead's Story An interview with a former racist Read the story of former Skinhead T.J. Leyden, who now works with the Simon Wiesenthal Center.	163 and Counting... Hate groups find a home on the Net Hate sites increase online, now numbering 163 in the 34 months since the first hate site went live.
Memphis Blues Again Klan group issues threats, is met by violence Another Klan rally ends in violence, this time in Memphis due to a scuffle between counter-protesters and police.	Mistaken Identity From philo-Semitism to anti-Semitism The history of the Christian Identity movement reveals its startling foundations — which posit that both Christians and Jews are God's chosen people.
Profiles of Christian Identity Movement Leaders A profile of leaders in the Christian Identity movement Read profiles of the most prominent Christian Identity leaders.

Briefs

Racist Murderer Linked to McVeigh White supremacist and alleged murderer Chevie Kehoe may have been linked with Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.	Terry Nichols Convicted in Bombing Terry Nichols, co-conspirator of Timothy McVeigh in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, was convicted of conspiracy and involuntary manslaughter, but his sentence has not yet been determined.	Key Militia Figure Charged with Assault Mark Koernke, a key figure in the Michigan militia movement, has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly attacking a court process server.
Wave of Skinhead Violence Hits Denver Since November 1997, several violent incidents have been perpetrated by racist Skinheads in Denver, including the murder of a police officer and the alleged murder of an African refugee.	Hobo Killings Probed Suspected murderer Robert Silveria has recanted his confession of murdering dozens of fellow drifters creates confusion in the case and sheds light on other violence possibly perpetrated by a train-riding gang.	Common Law Bruises Big Apple New York City is caught unawares by common-law ideology when almost 100 city employees were arrested for tax evasion.
Federal Terrorism Probes Skyrocket In the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, many domestic antigovernment groups are under investigation for plans of violence and terrorism.	Right Meets Far Right At a January 1998 anti-immigration meeting, the intermingling of extremists with 'mainstream' right-wingers illustrates a similar pattern throughout the country.	E-Mail on Trial The successful prosecution of Richard Machado for committing a hate crime online could become an important precedent in future cases.
Avoiding Violence at Klan Rallies Violence between Klan and counter-demonstrators at an October 1997 rally in Asheville, N.C., illustrates that direct confrontation often leads to a melee, and extra publicity for the haters.

Southern Poverty Law Center