Classifying Far-Right Groups as Gangs. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Valasik, Matthew; Reid, Shannon E.
• Is Part Of: Contexts. Volume 20:Number 4(2021:Autumn)
• Page Start: 74
• Page End: 75
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: alt-right -- far-right -- street gangs -- policing -- hate crimes -- terrorism -- Proud Boys; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- United States -- Periodicals; United States -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; 301.05
• DOI: 10.1177/15365042211058132
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1536-5042

Abstract

The uneven response by law enforcement has resulted in the overall under-policing of far-right groups. Policy makers and the broader criminal justice system need consider proactive approaches if the goal is to prevent violence from far-right groups. A straightforward and appropriate approach is to treat far-right groups as street gangs. Existing gang statutes are a proven tool is aggressively used on BIPOC gangs and should be equally applied to far-right groups. Law enforcement's continued dismissiveness of far-right groups only increases them as being the most "persistent and lethal threat" in the United States for the foreseeable future.