White supremacist propaganda incidents jumped 182 percent in 2018: study

White supremacists increased their propaganda distribution by 182 percent in 2018, canvassing neighborhoods and campuses across the country, according to a new study released Tuesday by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

The data was collected through ADL’s H.E.A.T. Map, which tracked the distribution of racist, anti-Semitic and Islamophobic fliers, stickers, banners and posters.

The group counted 1,187 distributions across the U.S. in 2018, up from 421 total incidents reported in 2017.

{mosads}“Posting fliers is a tried-and-true tactic for hate groups, one that enables them to spread hateful ideas and sow fear across an entire community,” Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL’s CEO and national director, said in a statement.

“Hate groups were emboldened in 2018, but their increasing reliance on hate leafleting indicates that most of their members understand this is a fringe activity and are unwilling to risk greater public exposure or arrest.”

There was 319 recorded incidents of white supremacist propaganda appearing on 212 college and university campuses in 37 states and in Washington, D.C. The ADL notes that there were 292 incidents recorded in 2017.

Alt-right groups such as Patriot Front, Identity Evropa and the Daily Stormer were responsible from a majority of non-campus community propaganda efforts.

The Ku Klux Klan also increased their efforts in 2018, according to the 97 recorded incidents of klan fliers being left on doorsteps or driveways. That is a 20 percent increase from the previous four-year average of 77, the ADL found.

In addition to propaganda efforts, the number of rallies and demonstrations by white supremacist groups jumped last year.

There were at least 91 white supremacist rallies or other events attended by white supremacists last year, up from 76 the previous year.

The highest levels of activity for white supremacist propaganda was concentrated in the states of California, Texas, Colorado, New York, Illinois, Florida and Virginia, according to the ADL.