1. United States
  2. Minn.
  3. Letter

Address Far-Right Extremism as Primary Source of Political Violence

To: Sen. Smith, Rep. Morrison, Sen. Klobuchar

From: A constituent in Minneapolis, MN

September 16

I am writing to express my deep concern about the mischaracterization of political violence in our country and to urge you to take action in addressing the primary source of this threat: far-right extremism. Recent attempts to attribute political violence solely to left-wing groups are not only misleading but dangerous. Multiple studies and government assessments have consistently shown that right-wing individuals and groups are responsible for the majority of politically motivated violent incidents in the United States. This fact is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat domestic terrorism and protect our communities. The Department of Homeland Security, in its October 2020 Homeland Threat Assessment, identified white supremacist extremists as the "most persistent and lethal threat" to the homeland. Similarly, a 2017 Government Accountability Office report found that 73% of violent extremist incidents resulting in deaths since September 12, 2001, were caused by far-right groups. It's important to note that political violence can come from various sources. However, the statistical weight of right-wing violence cannot be ignored. Attempts to bury or distort this information not only hinder our ability to address the real threat but also contribute to the political polarization that fuels extremism. I urge you to take the following actions: 1. Publicly acknowledge the threat posed by far-right extremism based on factual evidence and government assessments. 2. Support legislation and funding for programs that specifically target and prevent right-wing extremist violence. 3. Promote education and awareness about the true landscape of domestic political violence to counter misinformation. By addressing this issue head-on, we can work towards reducing political violence and fostering a safer, more informed society. I look forward to hearing about the steps you plan to take in response to this pressing concern.

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