ADL webinar addresses election, extremes – Cleveland Jewish News
Posted By admin on November 13, 2020
Leading up to the presidential election and afterward, staff at the Anti-Defamation League have tracked hate and worked to prevent the spread of disinformation, misinformation and extremism across the country.
On Nov. 5, the ADL gave a 55-minute webinar, At the Extremes: The Election 2020 and American Extremism, to present information about the presence of hate on the internet and in person.
We remain concerned about the potential for extremists to exploit this moment of discord, to spread disinformation about vote tallies or the validity of the election, or even to inspire their followers to act violently, said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the ADL, adding the ADLs role is to act as a watchdog, working with law enforcement.
Leading up to the election, Oren Segal, vice president of the ADLs Center on Extremism, said, the center bolstered its coverage and monitoring capacity.
At the same time, We have been very careful about avoiding amplifying extremist voices and messaging, he said. We know that elevating those messages can exacerbate anxiety and fear.
He said there were scattered reports of poll observers being assaulted in Indiana and Alabama, a few cases of armed men showing up at polling places, and robocalls reaching 10 million people essentially telling them to stay safe and stay at home.
Segal said high voter turnout suggesting that the effect of Election Day of intimidation efforts was limited.
This is not a time to let our guard down, he said. Extremists are amplifying post-election accusations from various circles, including the current president and campaign, that Democrats are trying to steal the election by finding votes. This language is inherently inciting. The power of an idea or conspiracy suggesting that something is being taken away has always had the power to animate extremists from across the ideological spectrum.
Efforts in Michigan and Arizona to control the counting of ballots, he said, were not extremist, he said, but extremists will often show up at rallies because they never miss an opportunity to leverage a crisis.
Segal said in Philadelphia of a Proud Boys sighting on Nov. 5 and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has urged followers to take out polling places.
On cue, QAnon believers have echoed fears that Democrats are perpetrating a massive voter fraud, he said, referring to the far-right conspiracy theory.
On Nov. 4, three synagogues in Philadelphia received harassing telephone calls, where the caller said, Jews decide the election, Segal said, and a postal worker was doxed with accusations of back-dating ballots.
Dave Siffry, vice president of the ADLs Center for Technology and Society, spoke tracking hate on social media platforms and holding those companies to their own policies in order to protect the election.
Facebook, he said, temporarily shut down its recommendations for social and political groups in advance of the election after the Wall Street Journal identified that 64% of people joined extremist groups on the basis of those recommendations.
Facebook also ran a notification at the top of its news feeds and on individual posts to let people know there was no winner while results were being counted.
Were watching them very carefully and calling them out, Siffry said. In addition, a big concern has been about advertising.
He said Facebook sent a cease and desist letter to researchers at New York University who were investigating ad targeting on Facebook prior to the election.
It has become harder to trust even their own transparency on this issue, so we are tracking them very closely, he said.
YouTube had the least formal policies in place to specifically protect the election compared to Twitter and Facebook, he said, relying on its deceptive practices policy.
In the aftermath of the election, however, numerous journalists have flagged the prevalence of videos with false information, such as fake election results or false claims of victory on the platform from various sources, Siffry said. Some with upwards of 100,000 views.
He said on Election Day, YouTube channels, some with more than a million subscribers, live streamed fake election results to tens of thousands of people.
He said ADL found three broadcasts with fake elections results that had advertisements playing before them. In addition, he said YouTubes labeling said things like Results may not be final, see the latest on Google. rather than Twitter and Facebooks more proactive and definitive linking to election results and statements about inaccurate and misleading information.
He said the ADL has been pushing YouTube to strengthen its labeling and to block videos that contain misinformation or disinformation.
As to Twitter, he said, ADL observed hashtags such as #stopthesteal, #sharpiegate, each having been used more than 20,000 times since polls opened Nov. 3.
While Twitter took appropriate action on prominent accounts, Siffry said the ADL found 152 tweets from which no action had been taken from 84 high visibility accounts with a combined total of 118.8 million followers. Staff counted 1.9 million engagements when it first observed them.
We flagged them for Twitter last night, and upon rechecking this morning, 67 of those 152 tweets had been labeled as misinformation or annotated with election security information, he said. But the 85 tweets to which Twitter did not respond received an additional 350,000 engagements since reporting as of midday today.
ADL has also begun monitoring Twitch, the largest streaming platform for video games, which is now being used for political purposes, Siffry said.
Eileen Hershenov, senior vice president of policy, said in the months leading up to the election ADL for the first time collaborated with Moonshot CVE and Bridging Divides Initiative to track and redirect those searching for extremist information to websites that counter those messages.
In the last week, we have reported, Moonshot, our partners reported, over 2,200 searches in 45 states for anti-government, armed group, targeted violence, political violence, and conspiracy theories and information, she said, adding the top search words in the last week for conspiracy theories and violent threats were FEMA coffins, anarchist cookbook, join the 3 percenters.
The top 10 states, she said, are Arizona, Texas, Nevada, Idaho, Washington, Wisconsin, Arkansas, California, Oregon and West Virginia.
She said the ADL briefed law enforcement and elected officials in states where there were indicia of violence and disruption, including governors in seven states and attorneys general in eight, secretaries of state in five, mayors in 10.
Those were very targeted briefings about particular things we were seeing, she said, adding that ADL has held webinars for more than 1,000 law enforcement participants and one with nearly 100 executives in executive agencies in priority states.
ADL also reached out to all 56 FBI field service offices and 78 state and local intelligence fusion centers, which are points of connection for FBI, Department of Homeland Security and local and state law enforcement.
On voting rights, we leaned in working in coalition, she said, adding that ADL worked to register more than 300,000 people in Philadelphia in concert with the Urban League. We were messaging calm.
ADL advocated in Congress for appropriations for safe voting in states and sent a letter to Congress noting the QAnon supporters running for Congress asking they not be given leadership positions.
We intend to take that same message to the states, she said.
Greenblatt spoke of the larger picture,
The reality is most of the work that ADL does is behind the scenes, he said. So we are actively working with law enforcement, with the media and news organizations the social media services to give them actionable intelligence on the threats as we see it, to correct misinformation, particularly when its directed in such a way that it marginalizes Jews or African Americans or other minorities or marginalized communities.
Follow this link:
ADL webinar addresses election, extremes - Cleveland Jewish News
- Sacramento GOP call for resignation of member with ties to Proud Boys - ABC10.com KXTV - January 26th, 2021
- Symbols of white supremacy confront Redmond teen - OPB News - January 26th, 2021
- Story Jan. 22, 2021 Faculty voice: Gaming and toxicity - MSUToday - MSUToday - January 26th, 2021
- Jewish communities in New York City and across the country tighten security protocols as threats mount - SecurityInfoWatch - January 24th, 2021
- FBI and Huntsville Police Announce Reward and Billboard Campaign to Assist in Identifying Person of Interest in Vandalism of Jewish Synagogues FBI -... - January 24th, 2021
- Woodland Park man arrested for US Capitol insurrection - FOX21News.com - January 24th, 2021
- FBI and Huntsville police announce reward in Identifying person of interest in vandalism of Jewish Synagogues - WVTM13 - January 24th, 2021
- Parents outraged over students Confederate flag face mask demand action - WKRN News 2 - January 24th, 2021
- QAnon after Trump: Believers of the conspiracy theory at risk of further radicalization, experts warn - CTV News - January 24th, 2021
- Decoding the extremist symbols and groups at the Capitol Hill insurrection - ABC17News.com - January 12th, 2021
- Lawmakers Fear More Violence Ahead Of Inauguration Day : Insurrection At The Capitol: Live Updates - NPR - January 12th, 2021
- The Big Question: Can the U.S. Defuse Violent Right-Wing Extremism? - BloombergQuint - January 10th, 2021
- Opinion: We have to work together to protect democracy from threats - The Detroit News - January 10th, 2021
- Sacha Baron Cohen on Facebook, Twitter and Trump - Variety - January 10th, 2021
- Extremists intensify calls for violence ahead of Inauguration Day - WDJT - January 10th, 2021
- Trump Helped Take Extremist Views From The Fringes Of Society To A Mob Attacking The Capitol - FiveThirtyEight - January 10th, 2021
- US Capitol: Q-Anon, Confederate flag man, and Baked Alaska - here are the people who stormed the building - Sky News - January 10th, 2021
- Domestic terrorism and hate exploded in 2020. Here's what the Biden administration must do. - ABC News - January 1st, 2021
- Arizona hate crimes bounced back in 2019, experts fear a surge in 2020 - Cronkite News - January 1st, 2021
- Weeks-Old Statue of Breonna Taylor Is Battered in Oakland, Calif. - The New York Times - January 1st, 2021
- Hanover police need help identifying possible menorah vandals - The Union Leader - December 27th, 2020
- Boycott urged on firms that assist Israel's occupation - Triple Pundit - December 27th, 2020
- After Dartmouth menorah was vandalized, Hanover police seek more information - Concord Monitor - December 22nd, 2020
- New York bans display of Confederate flag and other hate symbols on state grounds - WDJT - December 22nd, 2020
- 'We're against everything they stand for': LGBTQ-owned clothing company Verillas pushes back after Proud Boys wear its kilts - USA TODAY - December 22nd, 2020
- Thomas O'Brien on Boston's Newest Luxury High-Rise Residential Tower, Bulfinch Crossing Development, Pandemic and 2021 - Boston Real Estate Times - December 22nd, 2020
- Hate groups receive millions of dollars in federal funds - WVTM13 - December 14th, 2020
- 'Is this what we're becoming?': Anne Frank memorial in Idaho, the only one in US, defaced with swastika stickers - USA TODAY - December 14th, 2020
- Opposition Mounts Against Proposed Appointment of Far-right Chairman to Israeli Holocaust Museum - Hyperallergic - December 14th, 2020
- Only yesterday - The Hudson Reporter - December 14th, 2020
- Chelsea FC launches exhibition about Jewish Athletes and the Holocaust - Chelsea FC - December 14th, 2020
- Evergreen Mill Elem. student named 'Kid of the Year' finalist - Loudoun Times-Mirror - December 14th, 2020
- Conservatives flocked to Parler after the election. But its explosive growth is over - KCTV Kansas City - December 14th, 2020
- Anti-Defamation League to honor health secretary Levine ... - December 5th, 2020
- The Anti-Defamation League Is Not What It Seems | Boston ... - December 5th, 2020
- Travel Fairness Now Hosts Webinar with Health Care, Consumer and Travel Experts to Improve Traveler Access to Vital Information During Covid-19 and a... - December 5th, 2020
- ADL and Aspen Institute Announce Two Civil Society Fellowship Classes in Response to the Heightened Need for Civil Discourse in a Divided America -... - November 17th, 2020
- Tens of thousands rally in DC to support outgoing President Trump; at least 20 arrested as protesters clash with counterprotesters - USA TODAY - November 17th, 2020
- White supremacist jailed for 2 years over plot to bomb Las Vegas synagogue, ADL - The Times of Israel - November 15th, 2020
- Jewish orgs. react to presumptive win of Dem. nominee Joe Biden - The Jerusalem Post - November 13th, 2020
- Sharon L. Klein Named to Working Mother's Top Wealth Advisor Moms 2020 - PRNewswire - November 13th, 2020
- Facebooks redoubled AI efforts wont stop the spread of harmful content - VentureBeat - November 13th, 2020
- Proceed with eyes open - Isthmus - November 13th, 2020
- Tip lines allow voters to report intimidation, extremism at the polls - Chicago Sun-Times - November 3rd, 2020
- Hate Speech on the Rise - PBS39.org - November 3rd, 2020
- 100-year-old Jewish cemetery in Michigan vandalized with red paint - New York Post - November 3rd, 2020
- Who are the 'Proud Boys'? Photos of Austin protesters circulating online - KIIITV.com - November 3rd, 2020
- In Texas, Jewish Republicans step in against lawsuit seeking to reject 127,000 drive-through votes - Haaretz.com - November 3rd, 2020
- Uncomfortable Conversations: Fighting racism against Asian Americans in wake of COVID - AdAge.com - November 3rd, 2020
- Suspect In Ithaca String Of Hate Crimes Arrested - WSKG.org - November 3rd, 2020
- The risk of violence and protests on Election Day - Vox.com - November 3rd, 2020
- The Color Of Water | Opinion | coronadonewsca.com - Coronado Eagle and Journal - November 3rd, 2020
- Desperation - And Response (2) - The Chattanoogan - November 3rd, 2020
- Opinion: Why Gen Z and Millennials need to vote in 2020 - WHYY - November 3rd, 2020
- ADL says election-related hate on the rise: 'antisemitism, racism, xenophobia & all forms of bigotry.' - The Boston Globe - October 25th, 2020
- CAPAC: New ADL Report Ties Spike in Anti-Asian Bigotry to Trump - The Rafu Shimpo - October 25th, 2020
- Resisting the Tide of Bigotry - The Cairo Review of Global Affairs - October 25th, 2020
- Order allowing Texas counties to have multiple mail-in ballot drop off sites is upheld, but appeal halts openings - Katy Times - October 25th, 2020
- Video of Trump rally appears to show attendee making hand gesture commonly used by white supremacists - USA TODAY - October 25th, 2020
- Hate Groups Active In Ohio Long Before Plot To Kidnap Michigan Governor - WOSU - October 25th, 2020
- Students at Foothill College pass antisemitism resolution J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - October 25th, 2020
- New Initiative Unlocks the Power of Consumers and Brings Brands and Social Media Platforms Together to Clean Up Hate Online - PRNewswire - October 25th, 2020
- Pernod Ricard gets industry buy-in for tool that reports hate speech on social media - Marketing Dive - October 25th, 2020
- 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester Oct. 21, 2020 - This Week In Worcester - October 25th, 2020
- Hate Crimes on the Rise in Orange County - Fullerton Observer - October 25th, 2020
- On its 50th anniversary, the secret Jewish history of Doonesbury - Forward - October 25th, 2020
- Berkeley man known to police charged with Oakland synagogue vandalism - The Jewish News of Northern California - October 25th, 2020
- GOP mailer in the 165th decried as anti-Semitic - The Delaware County Daily Times - October 25th, 2020
- AP Explains: What's Behind Trump's Town Hall Answer on QAnon - WTTW News - October 25th, 2020
- Who are the Proud Boys: Englewood business owner proud to lead controversial group - yoursun.com - October 25th, 2020
- What Is a Militia? And Why Is the Word So Controversial These Days? - The New York Times - October 25th, 2020
- New Pernod Ricard Initiative Aims to Clean Up Hate Online - BevNET.com - October 25th, 2020
- QAnon: YouTube bans conspiracy theory content that justifies real-world violence - Euronews - October 16th, 2020
- LEADING NATIONAL AND STATE ADVOCACY GROUPS, BEN & JERRY'S, AND THE SACRAMENTO BEE ENDORSE PROPOSITION 17 - Civilrights.org - October 16th, 2020
- What You Need to Know About The Trial of the Chicago 7 - The New York Times - October 16th, 2020
- Gateway to Radicalization: Wisconsin cultivates extremism with ties to Michigan insurrection group - Milwaukee Independent - October 16th, 2020
- Affirmative Action on the Ballot: A Closer Look at Prop 16 - Fullerton Observer - October 16th, 2020
- Community organizations to hold virtual summit focused on race, hatred and social justice - SILive.com - October 12th, 2020
- Grand jury releases report on hate speech in San Mateo public schools - The Jewish News of Northern California - October 12th, 2020
- Anti-government groups shift focus from Washington to states - Idaho Business Review - October 12th, 2020
Comments