Thread by @CityLab

The plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is the latest example of the far-right/anti-government terrorism happening across the country, and researchers say it’s unlikely to be the last. bloom.bg/3m8nMbo

Since the Minneapolis killing of George Floyd on May 25, professor @areidross has collected nearly 800 incidents.

Including the murders of two BLM protesters by 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha, WI. bloom.bg/3m8nMbo

@areidross has built an interactive map meant to track harassment done by both individuals and groups such as the Proud Boys and Boogaloos.

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Intimidation tactics include:

➡️ “White people rule!” chants
➡️ “Thin Blue Line” flags
➡️ Pointing assault rifles at protesters
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From car attacks to chambered rounds, the use of violence in response to anti-racism protests goes beyond intimidation and harassment bloom.bg/3m8nMbo

The number of vigilante-style acts and threats has fallen substantially since mid-summer, correlating with fewer racial justice demonstrations. However, a rising share of incidents involve guns and violence bloom.bg/3m8nMbo

The troubling trends in this research indicate a potential for more serious violence in the days leading up to the presidential election.

“I sadly don’t think we’ll get through Nov. 3 without at least one major lone wolf attack.”
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Read more about how far-right violence is evolving here
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