Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Ghalibaf: Israeli aggression against countries targeted by global arrogance confirms that Damascus will not be the last Islamic capital to be targeted.
Ghalibaf: Iran stresses its support for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf: Amid Israeli aggression on Damascus, we assert that Iran always stands on the side of the Syrian people.
US Embassy in Syria: Barrack and Abdi discussed practical steps toward integration into a unified Syria and agreed that the time for unity has come
US Embassy in Syria: US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack met today with the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi
US Embassy in Syria: Barrack-Abdi meeting discussed the current situation in Syria and the need to take urgent steps to restore stability
Al-Hijri: We call on the guarantor states of the ceasefire agreement to fulfill their pledges to halt this attack and impose direct international protection for the Druze of Syria
Al-Hijri: It is unfortunate and shameful that the other party is not abiding by the ceasefire and that the hostile gangs continue to commit shameful crimes
Spiritual Leadership of the Druze Unitarian community, headed by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri: We call on the guarantors of the ceasefire in Sweida to shoulder their responsibilities
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One was killed in the raid carried out by an Israeli drone on a motorcycle in the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif

Network of far-right militias covertly proliferating in US: Report

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 26 Sep 2023 12:37
  • 3 Shares
3 Min Read

Extremist white supremacist groups expand their influence across the US under the guise of martial arts and fitness clubs.

  • x
  • Marchers bearing insignias of the white supremacist group Patriot Front pause during a gathering on Saturday, July 2, 2022, in Boston (AP)
    Marchers bearing insignias of the white supremacist group Patriot Front pause during a gathering on Saturday, July 2, 2022, in Boston (AP)

A recent report by  Counter Extremism Project, published by The Independent, shows that extremist organizations with white supremacist ideologies are employing the guise of fitness and martial arts to attract and expand their ranks, effectively establishing a new network of militias across the United States, Canada, and Europe. 

According to the report, at least 46 "active clubs" have emerged in 34 US states between 2020 and 2023. These clubs publicly promote "brotherhood" and training in combat sports and fitness while covertly recruiting members into extremist militias. 

The rapid growth of these groups over just three years has alarmed experts who closely monitor the surge in far-right extremism and white supremacist movements, which has been coupled with an increase in threats of political violence.

Read more: US soldiers, senior army officers members of Neo-Nazi active club

"I've never seen a network in right-wing extremism grow so fast. Usually, it takes years to build a transnational network. It's concerning," said Alexander Ritzmann, the author of the report and an advisor to the Counter Extremism Project. 

Related News

Russia rejects Israeli pressure regarding Iran nuclear file: Exclusive

US, Israeli bases in W. Asia within Iranian fire range: Military spox

In addition to their fitness activities, these groups have engaged in public displays of hate, including banner drops with hateful messages, often coordinating with or maintaining memberships in neo-fascist groups such as the Proud Boys, Patriot Front, and White Lives Matter.

These groups adhere to the "White Supremacy 3.0" ideology, which was propagated by neo-Nazi organizer Robert Rundo, founder of the white supremacist Rise Above Movement.

Read more: Zelensky joins Canadian Parliament’s ovation to WWII Nazi soldier

Active clubs maintain an open network approach, encouraging individuals to start their own independent groups and recruit white men, often promoting their activities at public events like concerts, NASCAR races, and local festivals, targeting young and active demographics.

"The strategy is hiding in plain sight," Ritzmann said in an interview. "They try to show that they’re actually just a bunch of white men doing sports together, being rather on the nice and friendly side so that law enforcement would look at this and would say, ‘This is a bit odd, but definitely, you know, not a priority for us to research now.’"

The report predicts that the unchecked proliferation of these extremist groups in the US is likely to entail increased political violence and terrorist attacks. 

  • US
  • Extremist militias
  • White supremacy
  • Far-Right

Most Read

Algerian nurse stabbed in Germany

Murder of Algerian nurse in Germany sparks outcry, demands for justice

  • Europe
  • 14 Jul 2025
Credible reports, including some from Israeli media itself, indicate that Tel Aviv had pinned its hopes on what can only be described as a delusional plan. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Jebraily: Iran strikes rewrote regional deterrence rules - Exclusive

  • MENA
  • 15 Jul 2025
Al-Qassam Brigades fighters confront Israeli soldiers in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

3 Israeli soldiers killed amid Gaza battles: Israeli media

  • Palestine
  • 14 Jul 2025
Donald Trump, the Corporate Aristocracy and the Israelization of the World

Donald Trump, the Corporate Aristocracy and the Israelization of the World

  • Opinion
  • 15 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Senator: Israeli plan for US support to displace Palestinians ‘sick'
Politics

Dem. Senator slams Israeli push for Gaza expulsion as 'sickening'

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa, center, and other clergymen gather at the Church of St. George Al Khidr on Monday, days after an arson attack at the site reportedly by Israeli settlers. (AFP - Getty Images)
Politics

Christians under Israeli settler fire in Jesus native Palestinian soil

Smoke from Israeli airstrikes on the northern Gaza Strip, on Friday, July 18, 2025. (AP)
Politics

650 days of Israeli war: 125,000 tons of bombs; 2,613 families effaced

Gaza Health Ministry: Starved Palestinians face imminent death
Politics

Gaza MoH issues warning: Starved Palestinians face imminent death

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS