1. Hate on the Web HATEGROUP 1 Kate Caseras Melanie Scott Nick Markakis Paul Corey

2. Overview What is hate? What is hate? When did hate group websites come into existence and how do they survive? When did hate group websites come into existence and how do they survive? Why do hate groups use the internet? Why do hate groups use the internet? What is speech? What is speech? What legal battles have been fought over hate group websites? What legal battles have been fought over hate group websites? What are some examples of hate group websites? What are some examples of hate group websites? Where can we find anti-hate group websites? Where can we find anti-hate group websites?

3. What is Hate?  According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary: Hate: to have a strong aversion to (2) find very distasteful (3) to express or feel extreme hostility Hate: to have a strong aversion to (2) find very distasteful (3) to express or feel extreme hostility  We all have different ways to define hate  We will define hate as the mindset that you are better than someone else based on appearance, beliefs or practices

4. The Advantages of the Internet Allows groups to market their beliefs to a large group of people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Allows groups to market their beliefs to a large group of people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week More cost effective than past practices which included leaflets, brochures, and mailing lists More cost effective than past practices which included leaflets, brochures, and mailing lists Offers a platform to freely express their groups ideology Offers a platform to freely express their groups ideology

5. The Birth of Hate Group Websites First hate group website was established in 1995 (Stormfront.org) First hate group website was established in 1995 (Stormfront.org) Hate groups around the country followed the lead of Stormfront and began opening websites of their own Hate groups around the country followed the lead of Stormfront and began opening websites of their own The sites remain in place due to the laws that allow free speech The sites remain in place due to the laws that allow free speech Most sites are funded through members who believe in their ideology and are willing to contribute to the group’s cause. In addition, most sites charge a membership fee to be a member of their organization. Most sites are funded through members who believe in their ideology and are willing to contribute to the group’s cause. In addition, most sites charge a membership fee to be a member of their organization.

6. The First Amendment The First Amendment of the Constitution reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

7. What is Speech? Symbolic speech Symbolic speech Political speech Political speech Prejudiced speech Prejudiced speech Freedom not to speak Freedom not to speak Fighting words Protected Not Protected

8. The Legal Battles Cohen v. California (1971) Hud v. Wilson (2000) Frederick Toben v Germany (2000)

9. Hate Group Websites American Knights (June, 1998) http://www.americanknights.com American Knights (June, 1998) http://www.americanknights.com http://www.americanknights.com Aryan Nations (Sept, 2000) http://www.aryan-nations.org/ Aryan Nations (Sept, 2000) http://www.aryan-nations.org/ http://www.aryan-nations.org/ World Church of the Creator (Aug, 1996) http://www.creator.org World Church of the Creator (Aug, 1996) http://www.creator.org http://www.creator.org Westboro Baptist Church (Jan, 1997) http://www.godhatesfags.com Westboro Baptist Church (Jan, 1997) http://www.godhatesfags.com http://www.godhatesfags.com

10. American Knights Promotes a strict and harsh message of white supremacy Promotes a strict and harsh message of white supremacy 8 realms in the Unites States 8 realms in the Unites States Questions on their application: Do you believe all men are created equal? Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Questions on their application: Do you believe all men are created equal? Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Disclaimer on front page of website, and message stating: Black may be beautiful, Tan may be grand, but white is the color of the big boss man Disclaimer on front page of website, and message stating: Black may be beautiful, Tan may be grand, but white is the color of the big boss man

11. Aryan Nations Ideology consist of : white supremacy, neo- Nazi, paramilitary, and a host of others Ideology consist of : white supremacy, neo- Nazi, paramilitary, and a host of others 18 state offices and 4 “ambassadors” 18 state offices and 4 “ambassadors” Leading supporters include former Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Leading supporters include former Silicon Valley entrepreneurs In 1980, enacted a program to reach children from preschool to 8 th grade In 1980, enacted a program to reach children from preschool to 8 th grade

12. World Church of the Creator Website is less appalling than the other sites Website is less appalling than the other sites Largest world-wide message with 13 international 8 U.S contacts Largest world-wide message with 13 international 8 U.S contacts The groups leader stated: “we recognize the white race as the race that has created all worthwhile culture and progress on this planet.” The groups leader stated: “we recognize the white race as the race that has created all worthwhile culture and progress on this planet.” Offers a children’s page designed to teach “Racial Religion”. A word scramble states: ”This is what the White Race faces if we don’t save it.” The answer is extinction. Offers a children’s page designed to teach “Racial Religion”. A word scramble states: ”This is what the White Race faces if we don’t save it.” The answer is extinction.

13. Westboro Baptist Church Based on preaching that “homosexual sex is an abominable sin” Based on preaching that “homosexual sex is an abominable sin” Claims the 9-11 tragedy was “…God punishing this sodomite nation…” Claims the 9-11 tragedy was “…God punishing this sodomite nation…” Highly aggressive when promoting ideology Highly aggressive when promoting ideology Website is used as a platform to release rage and anger towards homosexuals Website is used as a platform to release rage and anger towards homosexuals

14. Dedicated to Stopping the Hate on the Web Federal Bureau of Investigation Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Department of Education United States Department of Education American Civil Liberties Union American Civil Liberties Union On the Internet:  http://www.publiceye.org http://www.publiceye.org  http://www.thecdr.org http://www.thecdr.org  http://www.adl.org http://www.adl.org

15. Conclusion While online hate groups are not beneficial to society, we should not restrict their right to free speech While online hate groups are not beneficial to society, we should not restrict their right to free speech Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to this problem Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to this problem Online hate groups should be forced to have disclaimers for children Online hate groups should be forced to have disclaimers for children

16. Questions?