Funding Hate: How extremists like the ones who attacked the Capitol
are making money off the internet

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Cassie Miller, Hannah Gais and Megan Squire | Read the full piece
here

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Friend,

Authorities have now charged more than 300 people with crimes in
connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, including
two men charged with assault on the police officer who was killed and
at least
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four dozen who are affiliated with the QAnon ideology or far-right
extremist groups including the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.
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But despite the arrests and a vigorous federal investigation

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, the extremist ideologies and conspiracy theories that fueled the
attack aren't going away anytime soon. In fact, extremists have
exploited new digital technologies to create a broader, more
decentralized movement - and a web-based infrastructure that is
helping their leaders raise millions of dollars to fund their
activities.

Years in the making, this movement - based on white supremacy
and a rejection of our pluralistic society and democratic values
- was turbocharged by Donald Trump's presidency. And,
though Trump's influence has begun to wane, it will likely
continue to grow more militant and spawn violence and acts of terror
long after Trump has faded from the political scene.

As the federal government and anti-racist groups mobilize to combat
this threat, the financing of extremists in this increasingly
decentralized landscape is a major concern.

Monetizing extremist content 

In the past, hate groups raised money by means such as charging dues,
selling products or requiring the purchase of uniforms. The funds were
then used to pay for the distribution of propaganda and other
recruitment efforts. Some groups, like the antigovernment group Oath
Keepers, which has thousands of dues-paying members, still use this
model.

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Today, though, many white power groups and personalities are raising
money through crowdfunding and the distribution of propaganda itself
across a variety of platforms. The solicitation of donations during
live video streaming, for example, is emerging as a major source of
revenue.

READ MORE

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Sincerely,

Your friends at the Southern Poverty Law Center

 

The SPLC is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond,
working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy,
strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of
all people.

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