Read

User menu

Search form

Right-Wing Attackers Pose Bigger Danger Than "Jihadists" in U.S.

Right-Wing Attackers Pose Bigger Danger Than "Jihadists" in U.S.
Fri, 6/26/2015 - by Renee Lewis
This article originally appeared on Al Jazeera America

As the nation reels from last week’s mass shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, which left nine churchgoers dead, data show that since 9/11, there have been more deadly attacks in the U.S. carried out by right-wing assailants than by “jihadists.” What’s more, right-wing attacks have killed almost twice as many Americans.

According to a count of “lethal terrorist incidents” by homegrown extremists tallied by the New America Foundation (NAF), a New York–based nonprofit, the Charleston incident brought the number of right-wing attacks since 9/11 to 19, resulting in the deaths of 48 Americans. By contrast, “jihadists” — a term often used to describe radical Muslims — carried out seven attacks, resulting in 26 deaths.

The Charleston shooting, allegedly at the hands of Dylann Roof, 21, a purported white supremacist, was the latest in a series of deadly right-wing attacks in the U.S, according to NAF data.

Other incidents listed include attacks on a Sikh temple, a Jewish center, multiple Christian churches and the U.S. Holocaust Museum.

According to manifestoes or other messages left behind by the right-wing killers, the attacks were less about government policies and more about people who didn't share the attackers’ race, beliefs or lifestyle.

By contrast, incidents listed by NAF as “deadly jihadist attacks” include cases in which the assailant disagreed with U.S. government policies and actions, particularly in the Middle East. In fact, many of the assailants involved in the attacks have ties to the Middle East or Islam.

Included in the list is the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, in which brothers Tamerlan Tsarnaev and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev killed four people out of anger over U.S. foreign policy and its perceived effects on Muslim communities.

Another attack cited is the 2002 shooting by Egyptian national Hesham Mohamed Hadayet of two Israelis at an El Al ticket counter at Los Angeles International Airport. Like the Tsarnaevs, Hadayet was not affiliated with any group but espoused anti-Israeli views and was opposed to U.S. policies in the Middle East.

Although Hadayet’s and the Tsarnaevs’ attacks are more in line with most Americans’ idea of terrorism, when asked whether right-wing extremists posed more of a threat than Muslim extremists, experts said the statistics speak for themselves.

“Look at the statistics. They are clear,” said Ibrahim Hooper, the national communications director for the Council on American Islamic Relations. “We called the Charleston shooting an act of terrorism ... Why wouldn’t you call the murder of nine people by someone trying to spark a race war an act of domestic terrorism?”

Originally published by Al Jazeera America

3 WAYS TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

ONE-TIME DONATION

Just use the simple form below to make a single direct donation.

DONATE NOW

MONTHLY DONATION

Be a sustaining sponsor. Give a reacurring monthly donation at any level.

GET SOME MERCH!

Now you can wear your support too! From T-Shirts to tote bags.

SHOP TODAY

Sign Up

Article Tabs

Yarvin saw the “red pill” as the realization that the Enlightenment ideals he came to associate with “the cathedral” and democracy are actually a poison leading to societal decadence and decline.

It is clear that authoritarian fascists, in the United States and elsewhere, do not want education that promotes critical thinking.

As the American public continues to publicly stand up to the administration, Trump’s grip on power will eventually slip.

If Trump indeed tanks your 401(k) to make himself and his friends even richer, the opposition party should make that the centerpiece of their attack heading into next year’s election.

The burgeoning pro-democracy, anti-Trump movement known as 50501 expects to drive tens and possibly hundreds of thousands to protest in 1,000 cities and towns on Saturday.

Yarvin saw the “red pill” as the realization that the Enlightenment ideals he came to associate with “the cathedral” and democracy are actually a poison leading to societal decadence and decline.

It is clear that authoritarian fascists, in the United States and elsewhere, do not want education that promotes critical thinking.

As the American public continues to publicly stand up to the administration, Trump’s grip on power will eventually slip.

In many European countries, the far right holds or shares power. Democracy is in crisis.

If Trump indeed tanks your 401(k) to make himself and his friends even richer, the opposition party should make that the centerpiece of their attack heading into next year’s election.

The burgeoning pro-democracy, anti-Trump movement known as 50501 expects to drive tens and possibly hundreds of thousands to protest in 1,000 cities and towns on Saturday.

Posted 4 weeks 2 hours ago

In many European countries, the far right holds or shares power. Democracy is in crisis.

Posted 2 weeks 5 days ago

If Trump indeed tanks your 401(k) to make himself and his friends even richer, the opposition party should make that the centerpiece of their attack heading into next year’s election.

Posted 2 weeks 5 days ago

The only thing overshadowing the evil of the regime is its incompetence. And the people are only just beginning to realize the power we have.

Posted 4 weeks 4 hours ago

As the American public continues to publicly stand up to the administration, Trump’s grip on power will eventually slip.

Posted 16 hours 29 min ago

If Trump indeed tanks your 401(k) to make himself and his friends even richer, the opposition party should make that the centerpiece of their attack heading into next year’s election.

In many European countries, the far right holds or shares power. Democracy is in crisis.