Last November, the FBI arrested four men in Georgia, members of a militia group who were accused of a wide-ranging plot to attack cities and blow up federal buildings.
Misogynists in the men’s and fathers’ rights movements have developed a set of claims about women to support their depictions of them as violent liars and manipulators of men.
The so-called “manosphere” is peopled with hundreds of websites, blogs and forums dedicated to savaging feminists in particular and women, very typically American women, in general.
Patricia Sadowski, née Taylor, could never have foreseen that some 30 years after their divorce, her ex-husband would murder a guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum before being shot himself. But some hints came early.
Although most groups promoting so-called “ex-gay” or “reparative” therapy describe themselves as Christian, several approach their attempts to turn gay people into heterosexuals from other faith perspectives.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Ariz., complained about a supposed “blackout” on news of his investigation into the validity of President Obama’s birth certificate. He finally got the media coverage he craved — though hardly to a tune of his liking.
Avoiding controversy was the stated aim when Lowe’s, the home improvement giant, bowed to pressure from a Florida evangelical group and pulled its commercials from a TV reality show that makes Muslims look like ordinary Americans rather than terrorists.
The swelling “sovereign citizens” movement lost a leader when LeRoy M. Schweitzer, 73, died of apparently natural causes at the federal supermax prison in Florence, Colo., on Sept. 20. He was serving a 22-year sentence for crimes related to the longest police standoff in U.S. history.
Kevin W. Harpham, the would-be terrorist who intended to bomb a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade last year in Spokane, Wash., has been sentenced in federal court to 32 years in prison.
Anti-Muslim hate crimes soared by 50% in 2010, skyrocketing over 2009 levels in a year marked by the incendiary rhetoric of Islam-bashing politicians and activists, especially over the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque” in New York City.
In the first case of its kind, a federal grand jury in Cleveland on Dec. 20 indicted 12 Amish people on hate crime charges for cutting the hair and beards of other Amish men and women, a form of religious degradation they allegedly viewed as punishment.
The Year in Hate and Extremism 2011
As the election approaches, radical antigovernment groups skyrocket.
In This Issue
The 'Patriot' Movement Explodes
For the third year in a row, the American radical right expands dramatically, led by the antigovernment ‘Patriot’ movement.
Leader’s Suicide Brings Attention to Men’s Rights Movement
A little-noticed suicide last year focused attention on the hard-lined fringe of the men's right movement. It's not a pretty picture.
NARTH Becomes Main Source for Anti-Gay ‘Junk Science’
A group of therapists who believe sexual orientation can be changed are promoting what critics call ‘junk science’ .
Church at Kaweah Spreads Hateful, Militant Christian Views
A California church with longstanding ties to far-right extremists and a militia of its own is preparing for war.
More Features
Georgia Militia Members to be Tried Later this Year in Movement’s Latest Murder Plot
An alleged plot by members of a Georgia militia is only the latest to target law enforcement officials for death.
Georgia Arrests Exemplify Violence of Radical Right
Last November, the FBI arrested four men in Georgia, members of a militia group who were accused of a wide-ranging plot to attack cities and blow up federal buildings.
Nativist Movement Collapses Amid Infighting
After five years of growth, the anti-immigrant movement drops precipitously, a victim of infighting and mainstream co-optation.
'Nativist Extremist' Groups 2011
What follows is a state-by-state tally of the 185 groups that the SPLC lists as nativist extremist groups active in 2011.
Men’s Rights Movement Spreads False Claims about Women
Misogynists in the men’s and fathers’ rights movements have developed a set of claims about women to support their depictions of them as violent liars and manipulators of men.
Misogyny: The Sites
The so-called “manosphere” is peopled with hundreds of websites, blogs and forums dedicated to savaging feminists in particular and women, very typically American women, in general.
Son of Holocaust Memorial Shooter Discusses Family History of Racial Hate
Neo-Nazi James von Brunn murdered a security guard at the U.S. Holocaust Museum. The damage he caused didn’t end there.
Holocaust Memorial Shooter’s Wife Discusses His Extremism
Patricia Sadowski, née Taylor, could never have foreseen that some 30 years after their divorce, her ex-husband would murder a guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum before being shot himself. But some hints came early.
Animal Rights Extremist Camille Marino Calls for Violence
A new breed of animal rights activist isn’t content with vandalism or arson, but is encouraging deadly acts of terrorism instead.
Antigovernment Conspiracy Theorists Rail Against UN’s Agenda 21 Program
Antigovernment conspiracy theorists find a mortal enemy in the UN’s Agenda 21, a voluntary global sustainability program.
Glenn Beck’s Internet TV Venture Advises on Surviving Post-Apocalyptic America
Online but ‘off the grid,’ Glenn Beck’s new Internet TV show offers a lesson in surviving post-apocalyptic America.
The Ministries: Key ‘Ex-Gay’ Groups
Although most groups promoting so-called “ex-gay” or “reparative” therapy describe themselves as Christian, several approach their attempts to turn gay people into heterosexuals from other faith perspectives.
American College of Pediatricians Defames Gays and Lesbians in the Name of Protecting Children
Along with NARTH, a deceptively named pediatricians’ group is a second primary source used vilify gay people.
Active ‘Patriot’ Groups in the United States in 2011
The Southern Poverty Law Center identified 1274 anti-government “Patriot” groups that were active in 2011.
Briefs
Sheriff Arpaio Seeks Attention, Dislikes What He Gets
Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Ariz., complained about a supposed “blackout” on news of his investigation into the validity of President Obama’s birth certificate. He finally got the media coverage he craved — though hardly to a tune of his liking.
Lowe’s Entangles Itself in Brouhaha over Muslim Reality Show
Avoiding controversy was the stated aim when Lowe’s, the home improvement giant, bowed to pressure from a Florida evangelical group and pulled its commercials from a TV reality show that makes Muslims look like ordinary Americans rather than terrorists.
One ‘Sovereign’ Leader Dies as Others Head to Prison
The swelling “sovereign citizens” movement lost a leader when LeRoy M. Schweitzer, 73, died of apparently natural causes at the federal supermax prison in Florence, Colo., on Sept. 20. He was serving a 22-year sentence for crimes related to the longest police standoff in U.S. history.
When Targets of Hate Violence Strike Back
It’s not often that hate crimes end so poetically. But two recent stories offered up nearly perfect — even comic — portrayals of justice at work.
Neo-Nazi Gets 32 Years for Planting MLK Day Bomb
Kevin W. Harpham, the would-be terrorist who intended to bomb a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade last year in Spokane, Wash., has been sentenced in federal court to 32 years in prison.
FBI: Dramatic Spike in Hate Crimes Targeting Muslims
Anti-Muslim hate crimes soared by 50% in 2010, skyrocketing over 2009 levels in a year marked by the incendiary rhetoric of Islam-bashing politicians and activists, especially over the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque” in New York City.
Racist Couple Could Face Death in West Coast Murder Spree
An Oregon couple linked to four murders in three states will have to wait until April to learn if prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
Amish Indicted for Hate Crime in Forcible Beard-Cutting
In the first case of its kind, a federal grand jury in Cleveland on Dec. 20 indicted 12 Amish people on hate crime charges for cutting the hair and beards of other Amish men and women, a form of religious degradation they allegedly viewed as punishment.
Florida Abortion Clinic, Long a Target, Firebombed
A Pensacola, Fla., clinic at the epicenter of anti-abortion violence for nearly 30 years was firebombed and destroyed by a homeless man in January.
Hate in the Mainstream
A collection of quotes regarding race and hate