Political violence in US could surge after elections, experts warn
www.theguardian.com
Trends in online chatter mirror patterns observed in the lead-up to 2020 elections and January 6 Capitol attack

Trends in online chatter mirror patterns observed in the lead-up to 2020 elections and January 6 Capitol attack

There could be a potential surge in political violence following the upcoming US election, and pro-Trump rightwing vigilante “poll watchers” might surveil ballot drop boxes as Americans cast their votes, experts warned this week.

A new report from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) highlighted alarming trends in online chatter, mirroring patterns observed in the lead-up to the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol insurrection.

Meanwhile, Princeton’s Bridging Divides Initiative (BDI), issued a fact sheet with recommendations for dealing with conspiracy-minded monitoring groups like True the Vote, which spread false narratives in 2020 alleging that Democrats had sent paid “mules” to drop boxes with thousands of illegal votes in order to steal the election from Donald Trump.

  • horse_battery_staple@lemmy.world
    531·
    16 days ago

    We have seen FB groups of people planning to open carry to the polls. Likely to intimidate voters in my area. If you live in a state with open carry and someone intimidates you, call the police. Open carry does not allow for harassment or assault. Be safe y’all.

    I’m planning to take the day off and join a counter protest of MAGA “poll watchers”. We were trying to encourage people to plan to counter protest after they vote. So that there can be a united front that grows as people show up.

    • Carmakazi@lemmy.world
      31·
      16 days ago

      Even with concealed carry, which is basically every state these days.

      Even if its illegal to carry, don’t count on these thugs to follow the law.

      Even if the person intimidating you is unarmed, they have been known to be supervised by concealed groups of thugs armed with anything from bludgeons to AR-15s in order to turn the tide against someone standing up to them.

      Call the police, don’t get carried away on principle and put yourself in danger.

      • Nougat@fedia.io
        15·
        16 days ago

        Even if the person intimidating you is unarmed, they have been known to be supervised by concealed groups of thugs armed with anything from bludgeons to AR-15s in order to turn the tide against someone standing up to them.

        That way they can all be Kyle Rittenhouse.