Trump Cuts Funding For Groups That Counter Violent White Supremacy
No Secret: Craig Cobb openly boasts of his hope to turn tiny Leith, N.D. into a haven for white supremacists. Image by courtesy of kxmb
By Nathan Guttman May 4, 2017
The future of dozens of programs aimed at countering white nationalist extremism is unclear following a decision by the Trump administration to put their funding on hold.
According to a CBS News report more than 30 organizations that had received $10 million under Obama to combat violent extremism were told that the grants are now under review by the Trump administration.
The programs are aimed at convincing members of violent white supremacist hate groups to leave these organizations and gangs. They also provide former white supremacist with support in the process starting a new life free of hate.
Chuck Leek, a former member of one of these groups who is now active in Life After Hate, an organization providing help for those leaving hate groups, told CBS that these programs are crucial. “If one person gets their mind changed, it might be worth it, if that one person had been Dylann Roof or the Oklahoma City bomber,” he said.
Contact Nathan Guttman at guttman@forward.com or on Twitter @nathanguttman
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