March 19, 2021
THE WEEK’S BIG 3
White supremacist propaganda reached an all-time high across the U.S. in 2020, according to a new report from ADL. A white gunman was charged Wednesday with killing eight people at three Atlanta-area massage parlors in an attack that sent terror through the Asian American community, which has increasingly been targeted during the coronavirus pandemic. Federal authorities have arrested and charged two men with assaulting U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian D. Sicknick with an unknown chemical spray during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Read on for more on these headlines, news you can use to fight hate and the latest info about ADL from around the country.
1) White Supremacist Propaganda Hit an All-Time High in 2020, New Report Says
“The report details incidents in every state excluding Hawaii. It includes 130 incidents of white supremacists putting up banners, 56 in-person white supremacist events and 283 incidents of antisemitic language or propaganda that specifically targeted Jewish institutions, a 68% increase from 2019.” USA Today: FULL STORY
+ ADL Report: White Supremacist Propaganda Spikes in 2020
2) Man Charged with Killing 8 People at Georgia Massage Parlors
“The suspect told police that Tuesday’s attack was not racially motivated. He claimed to have a ‘sex addiction,’ and authorities said he apparently lashed out at what he saw as sources of temptation. But those statements spurred outrage and widespread skepticism given the locations and that six of the eight victims were women of Asian descent.” Associated Press: READ MORE
+ ADL Report: When Women are the Enemy -- The Intersection of Misogyny and White Supremacy
3) Two Arrested in Assault on Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, Who Died After Jan. 6 Capitol Riot
“Khater and Tanios are each charged with nine counts, including assaulting three officers with a deadly weapon — Sicknick, another U.S. Capitol Police officer identified as C. Edwards and a D.C. police officer identified as B. Chapman. They are also charged with civil disorder and obstruction of a congressional proceeding. The charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison.” The Washington Post: LEARN MORE
+ ADL Resource: Extremists Face Arrests, Uncertain Future Following January 6 Insurrection
KEY ADL SOCIAL STATEMENTS
- Appalling to see an Asian American chef targeted with racism and hate. This incident highlights how the #AAPI community continues to be scapegoated and linked to the #COVID19 pandemic…
- Thank you @MSNBC and @Morning_Joe for the important conversation yesterday about the worrying surge of white supremacist activity in 2020…
- We must fight to uphold the promise of our nation as one of welcome and inclusion, dedicated to protecting the vulnerable. Join us by urging your Representatives to pass the #DreamAndPromiseAct today and give permanent status to Dreamers and TPS recipients…
IN THE COMMUNITY
- Maryland, Virginia in top ten of white supremacist propaganda cases in 2020, amid national surge (CBS, Washington D.C. – Meredith Weisel interviewed)
- ‘Soup Nazi’ joke is no longer funny, a restaurateur learns (The Daily Herald, WA)
- Latest Anti-Semitic Graffiti at SDSU Roils Jewish Community, Stirs Plans for Action (Times of San Diego)