Number of hate groups in U.S. rises to all-time high, watchdog says

The number of hate groups operating in the United States roseto an all-time high in 2018, reflecting an increasingly divisive debate on immigration and demographic change, the Southern Poverty Law Centre said on Wednesday.

The SPLC, which has tracked hate groups since 1971, found 1,020 were operating in the United States last year, a seven per cent increase compared to 2017 and the fourth consecutive year of growth.

The previous record was1,018 hate groups set in 2011.

"The numbers tell a striking storythat this president isnot simply a polarizing figure, but a radicalizing one," saidHeidi Beirich, director of the SPLC's Intelligence Project,which released the new numbers.

White House has rejected charges of bias

"Rather than trying to tamp downhate, as presidents of both parties have done, President Trumpelevates it with both his rhetoric and his policies."

The White House has repeatedly rejected charges of biaslevelled at Trump, often citing the effects that a strong economyhave had on minority communities. It did not immediately respondto a request for comment on the report on Wednesday.

The report also found the number of black nationalistgroups rose 13 per cent to 264 in 2018, an increase the SPLCattributed to a backlash against Trump's policies.

Some of the SPLC's targets have criticized the Montgomery,Ala.-based organization's findings, saying it has mislabelledlegitimate organizations.

Earlier this month, the founder of the Proud Boys, aself-described men-only club of "Western chauvinists," sued thecentre for defamation over the hate group label. He contendedthe Proud Boys oppose racism, while the SPLC said it stood byits research.