MILWAUKEE (SPECTRUM NEWS) - Acts of domestic terror make headlines nationwide, almost daily.  Wisconsin has had its own threats, some happening as recently as August. The Southern Poverty Law Center is tracking 15 hate groups in the state, as of 2018. 

Watch Part 2: From Healing to Hate

“There is a long track record of different types of extremist events in Wisconsin,” says the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Midwest Regional Director,  David Goldenberg.  “Most recently, the Sikh temple shootings in Oak Creek.”

Founded in Chicago, the ADL is a Jewish organization, primarily tracking anti-semitic incidents.  Experts do, however, track all types of hate incidents across the country.

“Our experts are looking to monitor, expose, and disrupt these extremist threats,” says Goldenberg.  “We might look for violent rhetoric and speech and we also might look for weapons and real life activism.”

Both the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the ADL have their own versions of what are called hate maps.  They track active alleged hate groups, where hate incidents occur in each state, and what extremist ideology is connected to each incident.  Click the links above to access both versions.

“These incidents get populated by individuals who contact us, media reports, and police reports,” says Goldenberg.

Of the 15 alleged hate groups being tracked, Golden berg says about 10 of them have white nationalist ties.

“There is one organization called Patriot Front which has been responsible for the majority of white supremacist propaganda we’ve seen in the past year,” he says.

The SPLC also lists Great Millstone, a black nationalist organization.  Milwaukee-based Stahlhelm Records is listed for its hate music.  Pilgrims Covenant Church in Monroe is listed as anti-LGBT.

“In Wisconsin, there have been more than 100 hate incidents since 2002 and those range from extremist murders to attacks to vandalism and harassment,” Goldenberg says.

Of those 102 hate incidents, 75 are rooted in anti-semitism.

“What’s alarming is we just looked at the incidents from January to May from 2019, compared to that in 2018,” says Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Elana Kahn.  “In 2018, we counted 14 incidents and for this year, we’re already at 31 and that’s only since the end of May.”

A recent attempt at recruiting new white nationalists happened in Dane County in August.  The Sheriff’s department says neighbors in several towns found flyers outside their homes, urging them to join the movement.

In Sheboygan, police arrested two men in August, after they say they threatened to hang a black man.  Prosecutors have charged both men with hate crimes.

Goldenberg says when acts of domestic terrorism happen nationwide, it causes a spike in hate incidents.

“When an incident occurs like El Paso, you do see things elevate,” he says.

The El Paso shooter targeted Mexican-Americans.  It’s a sobering reality for Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director for VOCES de la Frontera.  The group is based in Milwaukee and advocates for the Latin American community.

“There are some hate crimes that come to my mind that have happened recently in Wisconsin,” says Ortiz.  “One is of a man who lived in an apartment complex and shot and killed a Puerto Rican father in front of his teenage son and he tried to kill the son.” 

Ortiz goes on to say the man’s comments prior to the murder were telling.

“He killed Mung parents in front of their children in another apartment,” says Ortiz.  “It was clear by his comments before that, that this was racially motivated.”

Of the 12 midwestern states, the ADL lists Wisconsin as fifth when it comes to the number of hate incidents reported from 2002 to 2019.  Illinois ranks first.  The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates about two thirds of hate crimes go unreported.

It begs the question, what can people in Wisconsin do? Goldenberg says educating youth is critical.

“We focus on going into schools and conducting anti-bias and anti-bullying training programs for admins, faculty, and students,” he says.  “What people in Wisconsin and any where in the country should do is push for these training programs.”

For those who preach peace, they say the nation’s most powerful ally is acceptance.

“The diversity in this country, the diversity in Wisconsin is our strength,” says Goldenberg.

If you receive a flyer, see racist graffiti, or anything you believe fits the description of a hate crime, you can report it by clicking here.

Spectrum News reached out to the groups mentioned in this story, but has thus far, only heard back from Pilgrims Covenant Church.  They pointed us to their website and a statement their pastor gave to another news outlet.  Read part of their response below:

“I think it's dangerous to accuse everyone of hating because you have a different opinion from that person or organization,” the church’s pastor, Ralph Ovadal, said.

Ovadal said that, while the church has taken a stance against homosexuality, that isn't its main focus, and he isn't sure what sets his church apart from others preaching similar views.

“It’s very hard for our church, families and just good, hardworking, honest people, Christian people, to be stuck in with Nazis, white supremacists and other groups that truly do hate, and some even call for violence,” he said. “It's just hard to be in with them, especially my background is my dad in World War II was in three different Nazi prison camps."

What makes a person choose a life of hate? And what makes them change? Watch the second part of Megan's story: From Healing to Hate.