Number of Hate Groups Rise for Third Year in a Row

The following statement was submitted by the Southern Poverty Law Center. 

Our yearly report on the state of extremism in America has found that the number of hate groups grew for a third straight year in 2017 — a year that saw white supremacists energized by the Trump presidency and black nationalist groups rising in response.

We've identified 954 hate groups — a 4 percent increase.

Find out where these hate groups are on our Hate Map.

The radical right started 2017 on a roll, with allies in the White House. But then came Charlottesville, and white supremacists faced a backlash. Still, Trump's rhetoric and the country's changing demographics continue to energize them.

Here are the highlights:

For the first time since 2009, hate groups were found in all 50 states.

Neo-Nazi groups were up 22 percent, from 99 to 121.

Anti-Muslim groups rose for a third straight year. After tripling in 2016, they added 13 more chapters last year and now have 114.

Black nationalist groups expanded from 193 to 233 chapters in reaction to Trump and the rising white supremacist movement.