Klanwatch Project

The Klanwatch Project monitors militias, white supremacists, and hate groups for the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Alabama. In the following viewpoint, the Klanwatch Project contends that the Patriot Movement—militias, separatists, and white supremacist groups that espouse antigovernment ideology—is flourishing, despite strong approbation of its views and actions by the American public. This public backlash against Patriot groups has caused the less-dedicated members to drop out, leaving the more radical followers to carry on. Strong action is needed to counter the threat posed by Patriot groups, the project concludes.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How many active Patriot groups were identified by the Militia Task Force in 1997?
2. How is the composition of the Patriot movement changing, according to the Klanwatch Project...