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White Supremacist Propaganda Incidents Reach All-Time High in 2022

  • March 9, 2023

New ADL data shows California saw a 91% increase in white supremacist propaganda distribution from 2021 to 2022, rising from 155 to 296 incidents.

Los Angeles, CA. March 9, 2023 … Incidents of white supremacist propaganda distribution and events reached an all-time high in the United States in 2022. The ADL’s (Anti-Defamation League) annual assessment of propaganda activity recorded 6,751 incidents in 2022, a 38 percent increase over the previous year. California ranked 6th in the country with the most incidents of white supremacist propaganda distribution with 296 incidents – a 91% increase from 155 incidents in 2021.

The ADL Center on Extremism tracked a myriad of propaganda activity last year, including the mass distribution of antisemitic, racist and anti-LGBTQ+ fliers; the dissemination of stickers, banners, graffiti and posters; hateful laser projections on buildings and stadiums and in-person white supremacist gatherings, among other events.

Reported incidents of explicitly antisemitic propaganda more than doubled, rising from 352 incidents in 2021 to 852 in 2022.

“Efforts by white supremacists to terrorize communities have significantly increased across the Golden State,” Regional Director of ADL Los Angeles, Jeffrey I. Abrams says. “Conspiratorial and offensive antisemitic messages like these can and do spark bigotry and violence targeting Jews, which we recently saw in Los Angeles when two Jewish men were shot in the Pico-Roberston neighborhood just last month. At a moment when our city needs even greater civility and unity, we urge everyone to reject these dangerous, extremist and antisemitic theories and we encourage everyone to report incidents such as these to the ADL.”

Propaganda was reported in every state except Hawaii, with the highest levels of activity (from most to least active) in Texas, Massachusetts, Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Utah, Florida, Connecticut and Georgia. ADL’s H.E.A.T. Map provides a visual representation of the propaganda efforts by geographic location.

Three white supremacist groups – Patriot Front, Goyim Defense League (GDL) and White Lives Matter (WLM) – were responsible for 93 percent of the activity.

Texas-based Patriot Front was responsible for the vast majority – 80 percent – of propaganda distributions in 2022. The group distributed propaganda in every state except Alaska and Hawaii but was most active (from most to least active) in Massachusetts, Texas, Michigan, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Utah.

The Goyim Defense League (GDL), an antisemitic network that has significant crossover with other white supremacist groups and movements, was responsible for at least 492 propaganda incidents in 2022, representing roughly seven percent of the total propaganda nationwide and 58 percent of the year’s antisemitic propaganda incidents. This is a significant increase from the 74 GDL propaganda incidents recorded in 2021.The massive uptick in antisemitic propaganda overall was largely due to GDL’s growth over the course of the year.

Key findings from ADL’s 2022 report include:

  • White supremacist groups increasingly used banners, often draped over highway overpasses, to publicize their hate. ADL recorded at least 252 banner drops, a 38 percent increase from the 183 counted in 2021.
  • ADL documented 167 white supremacist events, a 55 percent increase from the 108 recorded in 2021. Events took place in 33 states, with the most activity (from most to least active) in Massachusetts, California, Ohio and Florida. The White Lives Matter network was responsible for 43 percent of these events.
  • ADL recorded 219 incidents of white supremacist propaganda distribution on campuses, a 6 percent decrease from 2021 and the lowest number since ADL began tracking in 2017. While the majority of these incidents occurred on college or university campuses, at least 11 incidents were reported on K-12 campuses.
  • On-campus propaganda was recorded in 39 states, with the highest levels of activity (from most to least active) in Texas, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan.

 

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at www.adl.org.