Despite decline in propaganda activity in NY and NJ, regional hate groups continued to export hate
New York, NY, March 3, 2022 … White supremacist propaganda distribution remained at historic levels across the United States in 2021, with a total 4,851 cases of racist, antisemitic and other hateful messages reported by ADL (Anti-Defamation League). The latest data comes amid a surge in antisemitic hate fliering in January and February targeting at least 15 states nationwide.
“White supremacist fliering continues to be a serious problem in New York and New Jersey, where combined we witnessed 391 incidents last year,” said Scott Richman, ADL NY/NJ Regional Director. “Hate groups in our states continue to be emboldened, and some are even exporting hate to other states. It shows how pervasive hatred is, and how social media helps them not only to amplify their message, but to trigger events in other states.”
ADL recorded 212 incidents of white supremacist propaganda in New York in 2021, a 45% decrease from 308 incidents documented in 2020, but above the previously second highest year, 2019, which had 171. In 2021, Patriot Front (164), based in Texas, along with the New Jersey European Heritage Association (30) were the most active groups in the state, followed by White Lives Matter (10). (For reporting purposes, ADL counts an incident where multiple or hundreds of fliers are canvassed across a neighborhood on a given day as a single incident).
In New York, 2021 data shows white supremacist propaganda activity across the state, including in the following areas: Queens (11), Manhattan (10), Albany (10), Staten Island (9), Brooklyn (7), Buffalo (4), Germantown (4), Hudson (4), Chatham (3), Long Island (3), Plattsburgh (3), Rochester (3), and Troy (3). Notably, incidents were ten times higher in Albany in 2021 compared to 2020.
Consistent with last year, New York City experienced the highest number of white supremacist propaganda incidents, with 37 incidents accounting for 17% of the total in the state.
The Lower Hudson Valley region (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester) and Capital/Northern Catskills region (Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Schoharie) also each recorded a notable number of incidents, with 55 incidents taking place in the Lower Hudson Valley region, and 45 incidents taking place in the Capital/Northern Catskills region. Together, the two regions accounted for 47% of total incidents in the state.
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Number of Propaganda Incidents in New York |
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| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| 20 | 67 | 171 | 308 |
212 |
New Jersey was among the top 10 highest states in the country for white supremacist propaganda in 2021 with 179 reported incidents, a 55% decrease from 323 incidents in 2020, but above the previously second highest year, 2019 with 147. In 2021, Patriot Front (101), based in Texas, along with the New Jersey European Heritage Association (59) were the most active groups in the state, followed by White Lives Matter (10).
The 2021 data shows propaganda distribution in the following New Jersey municipalities: New Brunswick (8), Trenton (8), Montclair (6), Princeton (6), Bordentown (5), Cherry Hill (4), Hamilton (4), Lambertville (3), Asbury Park (3), Somerset (3), Newark (3), Morristown (3), Lyndhurst (3), and Totowa (3).
ADL data for 2021 also shows white supremacist propaganda incidents concentrated across Central New Jersey, connecting New York and Philadelphia along Route 1/NJ Turnpike through New Brunswick, Princeton, and Trenton – all areas with high concentrations of reported propaganda incidents.
The Northern New Jersey area (Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, Hunterdon, Morris, Warren, Sussex, Passaic, Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Union) had the most reported incidents of white supremacist propaganda (143).
The Southern New Jersey area (Ocean, Burlington, Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Cape May) had 36 reported instances of white supremacist propaganda.
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Number of Propaganda Incidents in New Jersey |
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| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| 12 | 41 | 147 | 323 | 179 |
Across the United States
Last year marked the second-highest level of incidents reported since ADL began tracking such data – with an average of about 13 incidents per day in 2021, and nearly double the 2,724 cases reported in 2019. In 2020, the use of propaganda distributions as a tactic peaked at 5,125 incidents nationwide.
ADL’s Center on Extremism tracks the distribution of racist, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ fliers, stickers, posters, banners and stenciled graffiti by various members of far right and white supremacist groups. The 2021 report found that at least 38 known white supremacist groups were behind hate propaganda efforts last year, affecting 49 states and the District of Columbia.
In 2021, hateful propaganda appeared in every state except Hawaii, with the highest levels of activity reported in Pennsylvania (473), Virginia (375), Texas (327), Massachusetts (272), Washington State (228), Maryland (217) and New York State (212). ADL’s H.E.A.T. Map provides a visual representation of the propaganda distribution efforts by geographic location and can be used to highlight other specific trends.
And propaganda has continued to be a go-to tactic for white supremacist groups in 2022. According to ADL’s Center on Extremism, in just the past few weeks dozens of additional incidents have been reported in 15 states, on college campuses and across entire neighborhoods. Most of those incidents were perpetrated by the virulently antisemitic Goyim Defense League, whose fliers blame Jews for spreading COVID, threatening the “white race” through increasing diversity, and having too much power, among other hateful tropes.
Key findings from the ADL’s 2021 report include:
- Throughout 2021, at least 38 white supremacist groups distributed propaganda, but three groups – Patriot Front, New Jersey European Heritage Association (NJEHA) and Folkish Resistance Movement (FRM formerly known as Folksfront) – were responsible for 91 percent of the activity.
- As was the case in both 2019 and 2020, Texas-based Patriot Front was responsible for the vast majority of propaganda distributions. As revealed in their communications, these high propaganda numbers were driven by a weekly propaganda quota, which members are required to meet. Patriot Front was responsible for 3,992 incidents in 2021, more than 82 percent of the national total.
- ADL recorded 352 propaganda incidents that included overt antisemitic language or specifically targeted Jewish institutions, marking a 27 percent increase from 277 such incidents in 2020. A number involved targeting Jewish institutions directly, such as stickers proclaiming “Hitler was right” attached to a menorah outside a California synagogue in October.
- There were at least 183 incidents of white supremacist banner drops on highway overpasses and other high visibility locations, a 40 percent increase from the 130 recorded in 2020.
- In 2021, ADL documented 108 white supremacist events, more than double the 53 events held in 2020, and the most events recorded in any of the past five years. Nearly half of the white supremacist events were privately planned unannounced flash demonstrations. Patriot Front held the two largest flash demonstrations in 2021, including a July event in Philadelphia and a December demonstration at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
- There were 232 incidents of white supremacist propaganda distribution on college campuses, marking a steep decline from 630 in 2019. Though dozens of white supremacist groups distributed propaganda in 2021, there were no large campaigns focusing on targeting campuses, potentially because of the pandemic and lack of students on campus. Patriot Front was responsible for 190 of the 232 on campus incidents.
ADL will hold an online public webinar today at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT as part of its “Fighting Hate from Home” series where Oren Segal, Vice President of ADL’s Center on Extremism, and other ADL experts will share additional information on recent propaganda distributions and the groups involved. Press may register here.
In response to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and in response to the overall increase in domestic extremist activity in recent years, ADL last year announced the PROTECT Plan to mitigate this threat while protecting civil liberties.
For more information, see the full report here. For region-specific data and additional information on the incidents, visit ADL’s H.E.A.T. Map. To speak with an expert or for more information, contact ADL NY/NJ at MediaNYNJ@adl.org.
ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of antisemitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is the first call when acts of antisemitism occur. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate. More at www.adl.org.
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