The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) reports weekly on the methods used by
extremists to exploit the Internet and social media platforms to recruit fol
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Extremist Content Online: Content From White Supremacist Group RAM Located On
YouTube
(New York, N.Y.) – The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) reports weekly on the
methods used by extremists to exploit the Internet and social media platforms
to recruit followers and incite violence. Last week, a media group affiliated
with the white supremacist group Rise Above Movement (RAM) published two videos
on YouTube which feature RAM cofounder, Robert Rundo, offering advice on
spreading propaganda and best practices for traveling overseas while on a
government watchlist. In addition, a neo-Nazi music album that encourages
listeners to commit violent attacks against the LGBTQ community was uploaded to
Dropbox and shared on Reddit. Also, a white supremacist-affiliated Telegram
channel known for glorifying mass murder uploaded instructions for making
thermite— a material used in welding that can be used in incendiary devices.
Finally, CEP researchers found ISIS propaganda on two bulletin board style
websites – JustPaste.It and Telegra.ph – depicting dead Nigerian soldiers and
anti-ISIS coalition fighters in Mozambique allegedly killed by ISIS forces.
Rise Above Movement Affiliated Content Repeatedly Found on YouTube
On July 1 and July 2, a media group affiliated with the white supremacist
group Rise Above Movement (RAM) uploaded two videos on YouTube titled
“real-world tips for nationalists.” Both videos feature RAM co-founder Robert
Rundo and provide links to a propaganda website operated by RAM. YouTube
removed a video put out by the same group on June 24 for violating the site’s
hate speech policies. Even though the videos were reported, the two YouTube
videos located the first week of July were not removed, despite sharing the
same links and iconography as the deleted video.
The first video features Rundo offering advice on traveling overseas while on
a government watchlist or the No Fly List. Rundo advises the audience to always
use a burner phone while out of the country in case it is searched by the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security upon one’s return. Rundo also instructs the
audience on how to respond to U.S. government officials when reentering the
U.S. and advises viewers to obtain a second passport. The video had over 180
views approximately 24 hours after it was uploaded.
In the second video, uploaded on July 2, Rundo offers advice on effective
techniques to spread propaganda. Among other information, Rundo states that now
is the perfect time to spread graffiti and perform banner drops, because of the
ability to wear a mask and gloves to hide your identity. The video had over 280
views after being online for less than 24 hours.
RAM is a southern California white supremacist street fighting crew whose
members were involved in physical assaults at protests in California and
Charlottesville, Virginia. In July 2019, three RAM members were given prison
sentences of 27, 33, and 37 months respectively, after pleading guilty to
charges related to attacking counter-protesters in Charlottesville in 2017.
Rundo himself was charged with crimes related to perpetrating violence at
demonstrations but had his charges dismissed by a judge. The U.S. Department of
Justice has stated that RAM members have previously “documented and promoted
their white supremacy ideology through postings on various internet platforms.”
RAM members have traveled to Europe to participate in far-right gatherings.
Rise Above Movement affiliated video on YouTube, July 2, 2020.
Neo-Nazi Music Album Promoting Violence Against LGBTQ Community Released on
Dropbox and Promoted on Reddit
CEP researchers located a 14-track neo-Nazi album on Dropbox promoting
violence against the LGBTQ community. The music features a computer-generated
voice and is attributed to a former McDonald’s advertising mascot co-opted by
the extreme right. The album encourages terrorist attacks on LGBTQ pride
parades, attacks on transgender people, and street violence against LGBTQ
people. The files were uploaded on June 29, with links posted on Telegram and a
Reddit subreddit dedicated to the group. On June 29, Reddit stated that they
wouldban
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over 2,000 communities for hate speech and other infractions. The subreddit
has not been deleted.
Dropbox’s Acceptable Use Policy
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“advocate(s) bigotry or hatred against any person or group of people based on
their race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation,
disability, or impairment.”
White Supremacist Telegram Channel Posts Instructions for Making Homemade
Thermite
On June 29, a white supremacist Telegram channel notorious for glorifying mass
murder and praising white supremacists who have committed mass attacks posted
instructions for making thermite. Thermite is a composition that burns at
extremely high temperatures that can be used in incendiary devices, or to burn
through metal. While thermite recipes can be found in numerous locations on the
Internet, the channel that posted the content has routinely praised acts such
as mass shootings and sought to incite violence against Jews and people of
color, among others. The Telegram channel has over 750 subscribers.
ISIS Propaganda Located on Bulletin Board Websites
CEP researchers located ISIS propaganda photos on two bulletin board style
websites, JustPaste.It and Telegra.ph. JustePaste.It is a site that allows
users to share text and pictures easily and has beenused
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by ISIS online propagandists since at least 2014. Content located on
JustPaste.It on July 2 included propaganda photosets showing corpses of
Nigerian soldiers allegedly killed by ISIS fighters, ISIS Amaq news releases,
sections of ISIS’s Al Naba newsletter, and links to content on other platforms.
The JustPaste.It page was online for 11 hours when it was located.
CEP researchers also located ISIS propaganda photos claiming to be of dead
anti-ISIS coalition soldiers in Mozambique on the Telegra.ph platform.
Telegra.ph, which is part of the Telegram communications app, functions
similarly to a bulletin board, allowing users to share content with individuals
who do not have Telegram accounts. CEPnoted
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in June that ISIS was continuing to use Telegra.ph to share propaganda,
despite Telegram’s recent and continuing crackdown on ISIS accounts.
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