The Hate Crimes Statistics Act: Ten Years Later, the Numbers Don't Add Up

Issue Number:

104

Winter

2001

Ten years after the U.S. began tracking hate crimes, the Report finds numerous flaws in the system, resulting in up to 80% underreporting. The aftermath of 9/11 is explored, including extremist views encouraged and spawned by the terrorist attacks and civil liberties in the post-9/11 era. Tiny LaVerkin, Utah is picking a fight with the U.N.

In This Issue

How Hate Crimes Like the Killing of Sasezley Richardson Are Never Counted

Ten years after federal officials began compiling them, national hate crime statistics are plagued with inaccuracy due to shoddiness in voluntary reporting and other errors.

Extremist Groups React to the 9/11 Attacks

Around the country, the far right reacts to the events of Sept. 11, 2001 with anti-Semitic hatred, threats and conspiracy theories.

Townspeople of LaVerkin, Utah, Take on the United Nations

The slogan 'Think Globally, Act Locally' takes on new meaning as the tiny LaVerkin, Utah adopts the anti-United Nations, conspiratorial beliefs of the radical right.

Tracing the Opposition to Taxes in America

By Daniel Levitas

After four decades of organizing by right-wing tax protesters, U.S. officials have largely stopped enforcing laws against their illegal schemes.

More Features

The Mathematics of Hate Editorial By Mark Potok, Senior Fellow Editor Mark Potok discusses the importance of statistics in tracking hate crimes — and understanding their impact on our society.	September 11th Attacks Cause Anti-Muslim Backlash The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 trigger a violent outbreak of American xenophobia against Arab Americans and others perceived to be Arab or Muslim.
Deborah Rudolph Speaks Out About Her Former Brother-In-Law, Olympic Park Bomber Eric Robert Rudolph A former in-law, Deborah Rudolph, reveals in an interview that accused bomber Eric Rudolph was a long-time anti-Semite who sold marijuana for a living.	Popularity and Populism Two books explore extremist movements based on personality and 'producerism.'
LAPD Covert Operation Breaks Up Drug Gang Linked to White Supremacists By David S. Barry A massive California police raid reveals how white supremacists are making a bid to control methamphetamine distribution.	Working to Reform the Hate Crimes Reporting System Read suggestions for improving the national hate crime reporting system.
Conflict in Klamath A battle over irrigation rights in Oregon becomes, for a time, the latest flash point for antigovernment activists.	Bob Schulz’s We the People Group is the Don Quixote of Queensbury Bob Schulz's We the People group may be tilting at windmills, but its efforts reflect a re-energized tax protest movement.
Tax Dodges, Fact and Fiction Tax protesters' many legalistic arguments against federal income taxes have little basis in legal reality.	Unexpected Gun Victory In the case of Dr. Timothy Joe Emerson, a Texas physician charged with violating the federal Violence Against Women Act, gun advocates get a surprise victory.

Briefs

Neo-Nazi Soldier Charged as Child Pornographer Extremists in the Military Neo-Nazi Special Forces soldier Bruce H. Nelson, stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., has been charged in connection with child pornography.	Indiana Militiamen Botch Bizarre Plot Patriot Crimes Four members of the 'Patriot' group Indiana State Militia have been arrested after federal agents discovered a plot that involved drugs, murder, and biological weapons.	Financing Fascism Supporters of British racists close shop, abruptly The American Friends of the British National Party (AFBNP), a neofascist group, has closed shop after an expos.
'Patriot' Broadcaster on the Run Radical Radio 'Patriot' broadcaster and former Kentucky State Militia member Steve Anderson opened fire on a police officer during a traffic stop and is now on the run.	League of the South Loses Members and Momentum Neo-Confederates The racist neo-Confederate hate group League of the South has begun a decline in both popularity and membership.	Neo-Nazi Musician Sent Back to German Prison White Power Music Neo-Nazi German musician and convicted murderer Hendrik Möbus was extradited from the U.S. in July back to Germany to face charges related to promoting Nazism and fleeing parole.
Felon to Head 'Ne'er-do-well' Aryan Nations Neo-Nazis Felon Harold Ray Redfeairn has been named as national director successor to the leadership of the neo-Nazi Aryan Nations.	Changing of the Guard Two preachers die as a racist religion wanes The deaths of pastors Neuman Britton and Earl Jones are markers of the decline of racist Christian Identity.	Freedom and Dissent By Brian Levin The nation struggles to balance civil liberties and police power in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Southern Poverty Law Center