Remember, Focus, Hope | 2024 Year in Hate & Extremism

In 2024, the Southern Poverty Law Center documented 1,371 hate and antigovernment extremist groups across the United States. These groups use a range of tactics. There are those that manipulate our political system, while others use violence and propaganda, and some take advantage of online platforms. All of these tactics are part of a larger effort to build strategies and training infrastructure to divide the country, demoralize people and dismantle democracy.

Equipped with comprehensive data and research, the SPLC’s preeminent Year in Hate and Extremism report once again provides a clear analysis of the groups upholding white supremacy in the United States: who they are, where they are, and the tactics and strategies they’re using. This report also covers the anti-democracy trends to monitor on the ground in communities and the formulas for prevention that can shape our collective future.

The groups and leaders featured in the report make up the hard-right movement that has long been behind rhetoric and actions that target Black people, women, immigrants, Jewish people, Muslims, and low-income, Indigenous and LGBTQ+ people.

In 2024, many hate and antigovernment groups attacked bedrock anti-discrimination efforts by railing against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, or DEI. Some actors used threats of violence, creating chaos that opened the door for political strongmen and authoritarian measures. Local communities faced militia organizing and the use of the internet to spread hate and conspiracies. Highly financed national right-wing advocacy organizations courted politicians and championed male supremacist thinking. And the fear of “white genocide” made its way into broader swaths of the right.

2024
Year in Hate & Extremism

Their power comes from the use of force, the capture of political parties and government, and infesting the mainstream discourse with conspiracy theories. We hope this report not only exposes the responsible parties and people but helps reverse the momentum of the hard right by empowering our readers and inspiring you to action. When the problem is overwhelming, it can seem like there’s no clear path forward. But by breaking down the players, tactics and code words, our own strategy can emerge.

SPLC President and CEO Margaret Huang recently offered hope and encouragement to people involved in the civil and human rights movement as we deal with the consequences of a year of hate and extremism. It is a perfect counter to the hard right’s effort to divide, demoralize and dismantle democracy. Margaret’s advice is that we must remember, focus and hope. If we can remember who we fight for — disenfranchised, exploited and scapegoated communities — it will be worth the fight. If we focus on the long term, justice and democracy will prevail. And if we find hope and joy with each other in the everyday, we will survive and thrive.

Remember, Focus, Hope.

In Solidarity,

Rachel Carroll Rivas
Interim Director, Intelligence Project, Southern Poverty Law Center