The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has released its annual Year in Hate and Extremism report, indicating a slight decline in the number of white nationalist, hate, and anti-government groups in the United States for 2024. The report counts 1,371 such groups, reflecting a 5% decrease. However, this decrease does not signify a reduction in these groups’ influence but rather a normalization of their beliefs within mainstream discourse and politics. This normalization is evidenced by the troubling acceptance of racist narratives and narratives of Christian persecution.
In 2023, there were recorded 533 active hate groups, including those targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, Jews, and Muslims. This figure represents a steady decline from a historic peak of 1,021 groups in 2018. Despite the total number of groups decreasing, anti-government groups showed an uptick, totaling 838 last year, as they increasingly perceive the federal government as “tyrannical.”
Moreover, the report highlights the rise of male supremacy factions, with seven new groups documented, bringing the total to 16. Such groups promote misogynistic ideals and rigid gender roles, exploiting election-year tensions, particularly during the nomination of Kamala Harris as the first woman of color for a major party.
The report also addresses how some far-right individuals propagate the notion that white Christian culture is under siege, fueled by fears of a demographic crisis stemming from declining birth rates.
In contrast to earlier reports, which indicated record numbers of white nationalist and anti-LGBTQ groups, this year’s findings suggest a complex landscape of extremism, as these groups increasingly resort to disinformation and conspiracy theories to undermine democratic processes and establish authoritarian control.
At the same time, the SPLC has faced criticism from conservatives regarding their perceived bias in labeling organizations as hate groups. This comes in light of a recent public event involving Aki Maehara, a Los Angeles college professor who suffered injuries in an alleged hate crime. Maehara, a Japanese American, has received support following his ordeal and plans to use part of the funds raised through a GoFundMe campaign to help other victims of racial violence.
This dual nature of rising support against hate while facing ongoing extremism reflects a larger struggle within society. As communities rally against hate crimes, there remains hope that solidarity can foster healing and bring about meaningful change.