The Southern Poverty Law Center has released its annual count of hate groups and extremists in the U.S. Officials say 2015 saw a surge not seen in decades.
Last year, the number of hate and anti-government groups rose by 14 percent, according to the report. This follows a three year decline.
Mark Potok is with the Montgomery-based SPLC and is the author of the report. He says the biggest contributors to the increased activity are a growing rage and distrust in the government. Potok blames the rising anti-government sentiment on several factors, including changes in demographics as a result of immigration, advances in the rights of gays and lesbians, and far-reaching statements by presidential candidates.
“I think the year very nearly approaches the political upheavals of 1968,” Potok says.
Acts of extremist violence in 2015 may have been the worst in the U.S. since the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, Potok says.