Alabama at forefront of far-right extremism, warns SPLC report

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has released its Year in Hate and Extremism report, highlighting the growing threat of far-right extremism in Alabama.

The report casts Alabama as a microcosm for national trends in anti-Muslim rhetoric, campus organizing, and policy rollbacks.

In an interview with APR, Rachel Carroll Rivas, deputy director of research, reporting and analysis for SPLC's Intelligence Project, discussed the report's findings and how they relate to issues currently facing Alabama.

Rivas noted that the SPLC has been tracking far-right hate and anti-government groups for nearly 50 years, and has seen a significant increase in activity in recent years.

She attributed this growth to the fact that hate groups feel emboldened by the current political climate, with the rise of anti-immigrant and anti-LGBTQ sentiment.

The report highlights Alabama's role in modeling this national trend, with the state's government and institutions serving as a key part of this movement.

Rivas also noted that the SPLC has seen a significant increase in anti-Muslim bigotry across the U.S., with hate groups using social media to spread rhetoric and ideas.

The report concludes that the growing threat of far-right extremism is a national issue, and that communities must come together to counter radicalization and promote tolerance.

Rivas emphasized the importance of addressing this issue, stating that the SPLC's report is meant to serve as a warning and a call to action.

We have a real concern for not only what happened in 2025, but what the implications for safety are going to be for communities in 2026 and 2027.

Rivas also highlighted the role of social media in spreading hate and extremism, and called for greater regulation and accountability from tech companies.

The report also emphasizes the importance of addressing extremism on college campuses, and provides guidance for students, faculty, and administrators on upholding values of diversity and inclusion.