Michigan ranked No. 8 in white supremacist propaganda and events in 2023, says ADL

Michigan ranked No. 8 among states in the distribution of white supremacist propaganda and events organized or attended by white supremacists in 2023, according to a new assessment by the Anti-Defamation League.

The ADL recorded 260 incidents in Michigan last year of white supremacist activity. The advocacy group focused on combating antisemitism and other forms of hate said the state's total is down somewhat from 2022, when 355 incidents were reported, the most since the Anti-Defamation League started tracking these numbers in 2017. Michigan is the 10th most-populous state.

"I don't think being eighth in the nation for white supremacy is anything to brag about," said Carolyn Normandin, Regional Director of ADL Michigan.

Nationwide, the ADL tracked 7,567 white supremacist incidents in 2023, the most since it started tracking these incidents, and a 12% increase from 2022, according to the ADL Center on Extremism’s annual assessment, which was released Tuesday. These incidents counted do not include incidents with a Jewish connection.

Antisemitic propaganda, which isn't included in the white supremacist incident numbers, increased nationally by 30% from 2022 to 2023. The ADL said the increase was largely due to the white supremacist group Patriot Front reincorporating antisemitic phrases into their propaganda.

Anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda by white supremacists increased by 141% nationwide, with 164 incidents in 2023 compare to 68 incidents in 2022, according to the ADL. More than 20% of supremacist events included elements anti-LGBTQ+ hate.

Normandin said much of the propaganda in Michigan comes from the groups Patriot Front and Goyim Defense League.

She believes law enforcement has helped contribute to the decrease in white supremacist incidents in Michigan. Some of these individuals have faced charges for white supremacy-related crimes and are now incarcerated.

“It was also buoyed by online reactions to the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, as white supremacist leaders applauded the terrorist group and violence against Israelis,” according to a news release from the ADL.

“At a time when antisemitic sentiment and incidents are at historic levels, white supremacists are increasingly resorting to hate propaganda to spread pernicious ideas against Jews and other marginalized groups,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO, in the news release. “Hardly a day goes by without communities being targeted by this odious rhetoric that terrorizes and harasses people at increasingly disturbing rates. This growing threat reminds us we must stay committed to the fight against all forms of hate.”