Hate groups are on the rise in the United States for the first time since the early days of the Obama presidency, a development credited to the energising effect of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups across the country, said the number had reached “near historic highs” in 2016, with 917 active organisations, only 100 fewer than the all-time high of 1,018 in 2011. The number operating has previously been in sharp decline, falling to 784 in 2014. The SPLC said the figures “undoubtedly understate the real level of organised hatred in America” as they failed to take into account those operating solely in cyberspace. In May this year, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security warned…

Source: The Times August 16, 2017 16:07 UTC