(New York, N.Y.) — The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) reports weekly on the methods used by extremists and terrorist groups on the Internet to spread propaganda and incite violence. Last week, CEP researchers found a TikTok post glorifying the Christchurch attacker that received over 35,000 views, along with similar content praising other white supremacist shooters on TikTok and Telegram. CEP reported the accounts to their respective platforms but, as of June 3, the content remains live.
Also last week, al-Qaeda released a communique through a propaganda website urging attacks on “Zionists” in retaliation for Israeli actions in Gaza. The post praised recent protests at American universities and encouraged followers to commit acts of terrorism on U.S. soil.
Additionally, CEP researchers identified a pro-ISIS propaganda image advocating for an attack on the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium during an upcoming match between India and Pakistan. Finally, CEP identified four new Instagram accounts representing Active Club chapters in Germany, which CEP reported to Instagram. The accounts remain online as of June 3.
TikTok Post Glorifying Christchurch Attacker Receives Over 35,000 Views, Account Links to Telegram Channel and Chat Celebrating Attacker
CEP researchers located a post on TikTok on May 30 that glorified the perpetrator of the March 15, 2019, Christchurch attack and had received over 35,000 views after it was online for 12 days. The post consists of an anime-style drawing of an individual with the assailant’s specific rifle, containing text on the weapon, in a car outside of one of the two mosques that were attacked. The same account also posted a similar video glorifying the individual who attacked a synagogue in Halle, Germany, in October 2019, as well as two other videos advocating violence against Jews and containing a clip from the attacker’s video. The account made approximately ten other posts primarily glorifying the Christchurch attacker, as well as other white supremacist mass shooters.
The TikTok account contained links to a channel and chat on Telegram, where the full video made by the Christchurch attacker was located. Members of the Telegram chat also posted edited clips from the attack video. CEP reported the TikTok and Telegram accounts on May 30, but they were still online on June 3.
“It is concerning that TikTok has not taken down an account that is celebrating a horrific act of violence and is clearly trying to receive a large number of views, and then directing their audience to Telegram, a communications app with little content moderation,” said CEP Researcher Joshua Fisher-Birch. “TikTok allows for a much larger audience than Telegram, but engaging with individuals in the account’s associated Telegram chat allows individuals to share content and promote white supremacism directly.”
Al-Qaeda Communiques Call for Terrorist Attacks Against “Zionists,” Encourages Donating Money to Flood Victims in Afghanistan
On May 29, al-Qaeda released a communique on one of their propaganda websites calling for attacks on “Zionists” as revenge for Israeli military operations in Gaza. The post noted that individuals who commit attacks would help inspire others and advocated committing acts of terrorism in the U.S. While the post noted with approval that there were demonstrations on American university and college campuses calling for an end to the Israeli military operation, the communique stated that it was important for al-Qaeda’s followers to commit acts of violence specifically.
Al-Qaeda’s central command also issued a message on May 30, offering condolences to the people of Afghanistan regarding recent flooding in the country. The post reaffirmed al-Qaeda’s support for the Taliban and called for financial donations to help those affected by the disaster, claiming that international relief had been paltry.
