Strengthening Federal and State Responses to Rising Hate Crimes and White Supremacist Violence

WHEREAS, The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has identified a steady rise in active white supremacist groups, with over 1,200 documented hate groups operating in the United States in 2024; and

WHEREAS, Mass shootings and violent attacks linked to white supremacist ideology have increased, including the 2022 Buffalo supermarket shooting and the 2023 Jacksonville Dollar General attack, both of which specifically targeted Black communities; and

WHEREAS, Domestic terrorism investigations related to racially motivated extremism have doubled since 2020, with federal agencies citing white supremacist violence as the greatest domestic terrorism threat; and

WHEREAS, States vary significantly in how they define and prosecute hate crimes, leading to inconsistent enforcement and inadequate protections for marginalized communities.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People urges federal and state governments to strengthen hate crime laws by standardizing definitions, increasing penalties, and ensuring robust enforcement against acts of racial and religious violence.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People calls for greater federal oversight of white supremacist organizations, including stronger measures to combat online radicalization and recruitment efforts.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People supports the full funding and expansion of hate crime reporting programs, ensuring law enforcement agencies accurately track and address racially motivated violence.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will work with lawmakers, civil rights organizations, and community leaders to advocate for legislation and policies that dismantle white supremacist networks and protect Black communities from targeted violence.