ALBANY, N.Y. (June 2, 2020) – While protests – and destruction – over the death of George Floyd continue to dominate national news headlines, armed, right-wing extremists are still making noise at anti-lockdown protests, some traveling hundreds of miles to attend the events. 

Sam Jackson, an assistant professor in the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity at the University at Albany, studies far-right extremism in America and is an expert on the anti-government patriot/militia movement in the U.S.

Jackson can speak to the different types of activities these rebels engage in during protests, crisis relief efforts, and armed standoffs with government. He is available for phone or virtual interviews.

Quote: “Some of these right-wing actors claim to want to prevent violence or provide ‘security’ during recent U.S. anti-lockdown protests, but instead the guns they carry often increase the possibility of violence and inflame tension,” Jackson said. “Though many of these groups are not explicitly racist, most are overwhelmingly white and few recognize racial disparities of any kind, including racial injustice in the criminal justice system.”

 

About the University at Albany:

A comprehensive public research university, the University at Albany-SUNY offers more than  120 undergraduate majors and minors and 125 master's, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs.  UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as atmospheric and environmental sciences, business,  public health, health sciences, criminal justice, emergency preparedness, engineering and applied sciences, informatics, public administration, social welfare, and  sociology taught by an extensive roster of faculty experts. It also offers expanded academic and research opportunities for students through an affiliation with Albany Law School. With a curriculum enhanced by 600 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers.

 

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