On November 30, 2017, SPLC President Richard Cohen testified before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security about the need to focus on domestic terrorism from the radical right.
Cohen delivered the following oral remarks to the committee chaired by U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, in addition to written testimony.
Thank you, Chairman McCaul, and thank you, Ranking Member Thompson.
Members of the committee, it’s an honor to be here today.
Charlottesville truly was a wake-up call for our country. It was a reminder that the oldest form of terrorism our country has ever known is still with us.
It was proof that the white supremacist movement has been energized by Mr. Trump’s campaign, proof that Mr. Trump’s campaign has “unearthed some demons,” to use Congressman Sanford’s words.
The marchers’ chant in Charlottesville – “You will not replace us” – was an expression of paranoia over cultural displacement. It reminds us of what Dylann Roof said when he murdered nine people in a Charleston church: “You're taking over our country.”
The marchers’ chant, “Blood and soil,” their anti-Semitism, reminds us of one of the darkest chapters in modern history.
In my written testimony, I called the threat associated with groups like ISIS the most acute ones we face. So I certainly don’t take issue with Director Wray’s calling it our “main terrorism” threat.
Cohen delivered the following oral remarks to the committee chaired by U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, in addition to written testimony.
Thank you, Chairman McCaul, and thank you, Ranking Member Thompson.
Members of the committee, it’s an honor to be here today.
Charlottesville truly was a wake-up call for our country. It was a reminder that the oldest form of terrorism our country has ever known is still with us.
It was proof that the white supremacist movement has been energized by Mr. Trump’s campaign, proof that Mr. Trump’s campaign has “unearthed some demons,” to use Congressman Sanford’s words.
The marchers’ chant in Charlottesville – “You will not replace us” – was an expression of paranoia over cultural displacement. It reminds us of what Dylann Roof said when he murdered nine people in a Charleston church: “You're taking over our country.”
The marchers’ chant, “Blood and soil,” their anti-Semitism, reminds us of one of the darkest chapters in modern history.
In my written testimony, I called the threat associated with groups like ISIS the most acute ones we face. So I certainly don’t take issue with Director Wray’s calling it our “main terrorism” threat.
Click here for the full statement.
Source: The Southern Poverty Law Center
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