New Imagine 2050 map details nativist events across the U.S.

For generations, nativist movements in the United States have directed blatantly discriminatory efforts at people and communities based on race, ethnicity, country of origin, language, and religion. These bigoted practices, which specifically target immigrant communities and communities of color, have obstructed progress toward inclusive policies at all levels of government.

Much of this obstruction is fomented at local events across the country where nativist activists hold meetings or organize demonstrations to distribute their messages and policy demands. Today, the Center for New Community is releasing a new, interactive map detailing where and when these nativist events occur.*

Check out our interactive map below or click here for the full version.

What types of events are on this map?

This maps includes a range of nativist events from local demonstrations and organizational meetings to national conferences and retreats.

What does this map tell us?

So far, the map catalogs 80 events that have already occurred or have been announced in 25 states in 2015. The map also identifies the groups organizing these events.

These events are largely divided into two categories encompassing the most prominent expressions of contemporary nativism: anti-immigrant events and anti-Muslim events.

Nativism, however, cannot be limited to anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim bigotry. The map documents events that may not be strictly nativist, but prominently feature nativist themes and/or content.

For example, the map includes some events that are explicitly white nationalist in nature such as the “Beyond Conservatism” conference organized by the National Policy Institute in February. Peter Brimelow, the proprietor of the virulently anti-immigrant and anti-black website VDARE.com, was a featured speaker at the conference. Brimelow’s remarks at the conference included many of his well-worn nativist refrains that romanticize the “historic American nation” and deride lawmakers for supposedly “electing a new people” through immigration.

Similarly, meetings of Tea Party groups across the country are not necessarily nativist, but this map does document those events if a spokesperson from an established nativist group is a featured speaker. For example, Stephen Steinlight, a senior analyst for the anti-immigrant think tank Center for Immigration Studies, regularly speaks before such groups. He has previously proposed a moratorium on Muslim immigration because, he says, “Muslims believe in things that are subversive to the Constitution.” In July last year, Steinlight addressed a Florida Tea Party group and expressed support for lynching President Obama.

“We all know, if there ever was a president that deserved to be impeached, it’s this guy,” Steinlight said. “Alright? And I wouldn’t stop. I would think being hung, drawn, and quartered is probably too good for him.”

Disturbing collaborations

As Imagine 2050 staff have frequently noted, the organized anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim movements are closely linked. Leaders within these movements regularly collaborate and coordinate activity and messaging. The relationship between Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies and Frank Gaffney of the Center for Security Policy is just one example.

Through this blatant public coordination and more secretive means like the strategy group Groundswell, nativist organizations have formed a mutually beneficial network creating additional avenues

These collaborations will undoubtedly continue appearing in public venues. And this map will continue to document and expose them.

*Imagine 2050 staff will regularly update this map. If you have evidence of any nativist events occurring that are not featured, please contact us.