Thread by @igorvolsky

1/ Anarchist & militia extremists could try to exploit the protests surrounding the death of George Floyd, the Department of Homeland Security warned in an intelligence note sent to law enforcement officials around the country.

2/ The DHS memo also says that 2days after Floyd’s death, “a white supremacist extremist Telegram channel incited followers to engage in violence and start the ‘boogaloo’—a term used by some violent extremists to refer to the start of a second Civil War—by shooting in a crowd.”

3/ One Telegram message encouraged potential shooters to “frame the crowd around you” for the violence, the document said. politico.com/news/2020/06/0…

4/ This morning, I spent some time on "boogaloo" Facebook pages and Instagram accounts.

What's clear is that they're exploiting the George Floyd protests to recruit & possibly start some trouble (note: haven't seen direct evidence that they are behind the rioting)

5/ Part of the problem is: the boogaloo "bois" hate police and most other governmental structures, but much of their ideology is rooted racism and white supremacy. (i.e. the govt is standing in the way of white domination)

6/ Boogaloo adherents are showing up fully armed with assault weapons at George Floyd protests across the country. Here's just sampling:

7/ You can imagine -- and we know from tons of research -- that having lots of folks armed during a tense and emotional protest could lead to tragedy...particularly if those armed individuals are looking to start another civil war....in an effort to consolidate "white power"

8/ Thank you @woodruffbets and @NatashaBertrand for reporting on this.

These are the same armed intimidators who took part in the re-open rallies a couple of weeks ago. They're clearly using these chaotic moments to build up power and strength...and that's a serious concern