Characterizing and Preventing Domestic Terrorism: A Mixed-Methods Study of Far-Right Extremist Incidents and Perpetrators

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

The Development Services Group (DSG)-University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) team investigates the characteristics of far-right terrorist groups to construct an analytical framework for practitioners and policymakers to shape counterterrorism strategies tailored to each group’s tactics, operational environment, and recruitment practices. Our analysis concentrates on seven major types of far-right terrorist entities: traditional white supremacists (i.e., the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and its affiliates), skinheads, neo-Nazis, sovereign citizens, militias (i.e., anti-government), and Christian-identity groups. The project also examines “lone actors.” The work is based on our expansion of two datasets: one documenting over 9,400 violent incidents perpetrated by far-right-affiliated groups or individuals, or those intended to promote far-right ideology, from 1990-2022; and a dataset with detailed information on approximately 5,600 individuals who have perpetrated far-right violence from 1990-2022. This panel will present papers on our research findings to date on global incidents and domestic threats; practitioner training; the historical impact of Sundown Towns on the social, economic, and political development of a county; and far-right insider threats in law enforcement.

Sub Unit

• Area III. Types of Offending / 20. State Crime, Political Crime, and Terrorism

Individual Presentations

• Global Incidents and Domestic Threats: The Counterterrorism Challenges of the Modern Triggers of Domestic Extremism - Arie L. Perliger, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Practitioner Training: Turning Research Into Knowledge for Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism - Kat Smith, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• A History of Violence: The Shadow of Sundown Towns in Far-Right Extremist Incident Perpetration - Hope D. LaFreniere, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Threats from Within: An Exploration of Far-Right Insider Threats in Law Enforcement - Tess Hemmila, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Chair

• Eoin Healy, GTTAC, Development Services Group, Inc.

Discussants

• Sophia Moskalenko, Georgia State University

• Adam Blackwell, GTTAC, Development Services Group, Inc.

• Thomas McAndrews, University of Massachusetts