The Extremism Roundup

Islamist Extremism

Imam Mohamad El-Saleh, calling for violence against Jews and Christians during a livestreamed sermon in Lafayette, La. - via MEMRI screenshot

Louisiana Imam Calls for Violence Against Jews and Christians

• A Friday sermon in Lafayette, La., included inflammatory rhetoric calling for the annihilation of Jews and Christians.

• The sermon, delivered by Imam Mohamad El-Saleh, included calls for violence.

• This incident has raised significant concern and condemnation from various community and religious leaders. Read More

Molotov Cocktail Lawyer Spotted at Anti-Israel Protest

• Urooj Rahman, previously convicted for a Molotov cocktail attack during the George Floyd protests, was seen at an anti-Israel and anti-American protest on July 4th.

• Rahman, an ex-lawyer, was captured on video making inflammatory statements against Israel and the U.S.

• Rahman's involvement has drawn significant attention due to her past criminal actions and current probation status. Read More

Chicago Children's Class: "Your Number One Goal in Life is to Die as a Muslim and Go to Paradise"

• Colorado Imam Karim Abuzaid taught a children’s class at Chicago’s Darul Quran Mosque on June 30, 2024, in which he instilled into the children that their number one goal in life is to die as a Muslim and go to paradise.

• Video of the class was streamed live on Karim Abuzaid’s YouTube channel. Read More

Militant-Right & Militant-Left Extremism

Samuel Woodward, hiding his face in court as he awaits sentencing, July 3, 2024 - via NBC Los Angeles News screenshot

California Neo-Nazi Convicted of Murder

• Orange County, Calif., man Samuel Woodward, 26, a member of the neo-Nazi extremist group Atomwaffen, was convicted of first-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement of 19-year-old Blaze Bernstein.

• The prosecution argued that Woodward targeted Bernstein because he was gay and Jewish.

• Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 25. He faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Read More

Illinois Teen Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime Vandalism

• Christopher Jackson, 18, from Elmhurst, Ill., pleaded guilty to a hate crime for carving swastikas into playground equipment.

• Jackson was sentenced to 30 months of probation, 80 days in jail, and participation in an anti-hate educational program.

• Jackson expressed concern about a co-defendant, who remains in custody because the boy said he wanted to kill his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend. Read More

Florida Pro-Life Center Reaches Agreement With Jane's Revenge Vandals

• Vandals associated with the militant pro-abortion group "Jane's Revenge" attacked Heartbeat of Miami, a pro-life pregnancy center, in June 2022.
• The vandalism included spray-painted threats and caused thousands of dollars in damage.
• Heartbeat of Miami has reached a favorable settlement with the vandals, ensuring they will be held accountable. The settlement includes financial restitution, though specifics are not disclosed. Read More

  Hate Crime

Students set up Gaza solidarity encampment at Michigan State University on April 25, 2024 - Katie McTiernan/Anadolu via Getty Images

Minors Charged in MSU Hate Crime

• Four minors were charged with a hate crime for vandalizing the Michigan State University library with racist and antisemitic graffiti.

• The incident occurred on July 1, 2024, and involved ethnic intimidation and malicious destruction of property. Read More

Hostile Foreign Influence Operations

Two female marines raise the U.S. flag in front of the command center at the naval base in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba - Magdalena Miriam Tröndle/picture alliance via Getty Images

Chinese Expanding Spy Bases in Cuba

• Suspected Chinese spy bases in Cuba are reportedly expanding near U.S. military and intelligence sites according to a report by the Washington D.C.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.
• These bases are believed to be part of China's broader efforts to enhance its espionage capabilities against the U.S.
• The report highlights growing tensions between the U.S. and China regarding espionage and surveillance activities. Read More

Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Avionics Exports to Russia

• Douglas Edward Robertson, former VP of KanRus Trading Company, pleaded guilty to crimes involving the illegal export of U.S. avionics equipment to Russia.

• The scheme included filing false export forms and smuggling equipment to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), violating U.S. export controls.

• Robertson, along with co-defendants, continued illegal exports post-Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

• He faces up to 65 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for October 3. Read More

QUOTABLE 

“Government is itself an art, one of the subtlest of the arts. It is neither business, nor technology, nor applied science. It is the art of making men live together in peace and with reasonable happiness."

- Felix Frankfurter

NOTE TO OUR READERS: We have pulled out the salient points of the articles in this newsletter to keep you informed and focused on the most relevant, important and timely news in national security and extremism. While our national security experts stand behind the summary bullets and deem them trustworthy, Clarion Project does not endorse all the views expressed in the articles linked.