10 Lesser-Known Far-Right Groups of the 21st Century

In recent years, the rise of far-right groups has become a significant concern worldwide. This phenomenon is not limited to a few countries but affects many regions. While well-known organizations receive much attention, numerous lesser-known groups operate with similar ideologies and goals.

These groups often function under the radar, avoiding the intense media scrutiny their more prominent counterparts receive. Despite their lower profile, they can have a substantial impact on local and national politics, social dynamics, and public safety. Their activities may influence the political landscape by swaying public opinion, promoting divisive policies, or even engaging in acts of violence or intimidation.

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10 Soldiers of Odin (Finland)

Soldiers of Odin, banned by Facebook and shunned by politicians, host event at Legion branch

In recent years, the rise of the anti-immigrant group “Soldiers of Odin” in Finland has raised significant concern among authorities and citizens alike. Named after the Norse god, the group was formed in response to the influx of asylum seekers. They assert that they are safeguarding Finnish citizens by patrolling streets and neighborhoods, attributing what they see as a rise in crime to “Islamist intruders.” At demonstrations, members have displayed placards with messages such as “Migrants not welcome.”

Despite their self-proclaimed role as protectors, the activities of the Soldiers of Odin have been widely criticized for promoting xenophobia and spreading fear among immigrant communities. Critics argue that the group exploits public fear and uncertainty to further their own agendas, leading to increased social tensions and division.

Many see the Soldiers of Odin as a vigilante group whose actions undermine social cohesion and peace. While some locals support the group, believing they fill gaps in public safety, others condemn their approach as dangerous and counterproductive. The group is also found in several other countries, including Canada.[1]

9 The Base (USA)

Inside the white supremacist network The Base

The Base is a militant neo-Nazi organization founded in 2018 by Rinaldo Nazzaro, who operated under the alias “Norman Spear.” The group promotes white supremacist ideologies and advocates for violent extremism. It is structured as a decentralized network, with members communicating through encrypted online platforms.

The Base’s activities include paramilitary training, recruitment, and planning attacks aimed at inciting a race war. The group has been linked to numerous violent plots and arrests in the United States and abroad, remaining under scrutiny by law enforcement agencies. The Base’s recruitment strategies focus on attracting disaffected individuals with military or survivalist skills. They use propaganda to radicalize and mobilize these recruits, emphasizing themes of racial purity, anti-Semitism, and anti-government sentiments.

Training camps organized by The Base provide members with combat and survival skills, reinforcing their readiness for violent actions. The organization also networks with other extremist groups to expand its influence and operational capabilities.[2]

8 Nordic Resistance Movement (Scandinavia)

Neo-nazis on the rise in Sweden | DW English

The Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM) is a neofascist organization with a history of violence and a strong transnational presence. Founded in 1997 in Sweden, it aims to create a white Nordic ethnostate with around 200 active members across Nordic countries. NRM promotes antisemitic conspiracy theories, including the “Zionist Occupied Government” theory, and supports accelerationism, believing that societal collapse will pave the way for their ideology.

The group actively recruits women and engages in community activities to build support. Its rigid hierarchy includes a central leadership led by Fredrik Vejdeland, with regional leaders across the Nordic countries. NRM collaborates with other extremist groups like the Russian Imperial Movement, sharing resources and training.

NRM’s propaganda emphasizes community activism and downplays violent rhetoric to attract a broader audience. However, the group is involved in numerous violent attacks and hate crimes. Their members have been arrested for various violent activities, including bombings and murder plots.[3]

7 Generation Identity (Europe)

🇫🇷France: Generation Identity, the far right and racist violence l Al Jazeera English

Generation Identity (GI) is a far-right, anti-immigrant organization founded in France in 2012. The group believes in the “Great Replacement” theory, which posits that European culture and identity are being eroded by non-European immigrants, particularly Muslims. GI has a presence in several European countries, including Italy, Austria, and Germany.

The group gained notoriety through provocative stunts, such as occupying a mosque in Poitiers and attempting to block refugee rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea. These actions aim to draw attention to their anti-immigrant and anti-Islamic messages, which they claim are necessary to protect European identity and culture.

An undercover investigation by Al Jazeera in 2018 exposed GI’s deep-rooted racism and connections with France’s far-right political party, the National Rally. Following these revelations, the French government dissolved Generation Identity in 2021, citing the group’s incitement of discrimination, hatred, and violence.[4]

6 Nationalist Social Club (USA/Europe)

How one neo-Nazi group is spreading its propaganda around New England

The Nationalist Social Club (NSC-131) is a decentralized white supremacist group that started in the northeastern United States. It now has a presence in Europe, particularly Germany, Hungary, and Bulgaria. Founded in 2019, the NSC operates through independent cells and promotes a white nationalist ideology, preparing for conflict with non-Aryans, especially Jews. The group engages in physical combat training and weapons stockpiling.

NSC members often participate in right-wing rallies, displaying Nazi symbols and antagonizing social justice protests. Their propaganda efforts include distributing stickers and creating online content aimed at recruiting white males. Each chapter operates autonomously, adapting its tactics to local conditions while maintaining a loose network structure to evade infiltration.

Investigations have uncovered violent activities and Nazi paraphernalia within the group. Despite a 2021 announcement that the New England chapter would sever ties with other regions, NSC-131 continues to function as a significant white supremacist entity with a transnational reach.[5]

5 National Action (UK)

Exclusive: Former members of banned terror group National Action meet at far-right training camp

National Action, a neofascist and militant accelerationist group, operated in the UK from 2013 until its ban in 2017. Founded by Alex Davies and Benjamin Raymond, the group emerged from the Iron March web forum and aimed to create a “white jihadist” movement, embracing overt racism and militancy.

Their activities included online harassment, antisemitic and Islamophobic street demonstrations, and public celebrations of the murder of MP Jo Cox by a far-right activist. After their ban, some leaders tried to continue the group covertly, but enforcement led to a decline in membership and convictions of key figures.

National Action distinguished itself from other far-right groups by its violent misogyny and recruitment of “moral men of action” while idolizing Nazism and international fascist movements. The group believed their ideology would only gain power during a crisis, using provocative demonstrations to inspire radicalized sympathizers. They engaged in physical training sessions and fostered relationships with neo-Nazi groups worldwide.[6]

4 White Power Ranger Squad (Russia)

Putin’s Secret Neo-Nazi Armies | Decade of Hate

The White Power Ranger Squad (WPRS) is a little-known far-right extremist group gaining traction in Russia amid the conflict with Ukraine. This group, characterized by its survivalist and tactical training, operates with customized weapons. It has been involved in notable battles in Ukraine, such as the battle for Mariupol and the storming of the Azovstal complexes.

WPRS is known for its night operations and complex terrain maneuvers, and its imagery often features symbols associated with far-right movements. The group recruits and trains members in Russia, promoting an ideology that supports Russia’s territorial ambitions in Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. Their social media presence showcases their involvement in the conflict and their alignment with other far-right groups.

They frequently post content featuring Nazi symbols and other far-right iconography. While WPRS’s current activities are primarily focused on the battlefield in Ukraine, the group’s growing support among ultranationalists and far-right elements in Russia suggests a potential for increased influence.[7]

3 Moms for Liberty (USA)

Far Right ‘Moms For Liberty’ Group Apologizes After Making a VERY Big Oopsie

Moms for Liberty, founded in 2021 in Brevard County, Florida, is a far-right organization focused on parental rights, anti-LGBTQ+ stances, and opposition to inclusive curricula in schools. It originated from resistance to COVID-19 health regulations and rapidly expanded to campaign against what it deems “woke indoctrination” in education. The group advocates for book bans and the abolition of the Department of Education and promotes conspiracy theories.

The organization has grown significantly, boasting over 110,000 members across more than 250 chapters nationwide within two years. Its activities include endorsing political candidates, hosting high-profile fundraisers, and organizing national summits featuring prominent conservative figures like Dr. Ben Carson and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Moms for Liberty has been criticized for its extreme views and actions. Members have been recorded engaging in hateful rhetoric, violent threats, and spreading misinformation about LGBTQ+ issues. The group’s social media activity often targets teachers and school officials, promoting harmful imagery and conspiracy propaganda.

The group has forged alliances with various conservative and extremist entities, including the Proud Boys. It has influenced local and national politics by endorsing school board candidates and promoting anti-CRT and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.[8]

2 The Asatru Folk Assembly (USA)

Inside America’s last whites-only church

The Asatru Folk Assembly (AFA), originally founded as the Viking Brotherhood in 1969, promotes the belief that pre-Christian Norse and Germanic religions can only be practiced by individuals with ancestral roots in Northern Europe, effectively excluding non-white individuals. This belief is part of a broader ideology of white genocide and ethnocentrism.

The group’s rhetoric, cloaked in terms of “cultural preservation,” explicitly states that Asatru, their practiced religion, would cease to exist without the survival of “Ethnic European Folk,” meaning white people. This ideology underpins their views on race and gender, advocating for rigid gender roles and opposing modern feminist movements.

The AFA has a controversial history, including promoting white supremacist literature like The Turner Diaries. It also attempted to use the discovery of the prehistoric Kennewick Man to support their claims of white European primacy in North America.

The group’s pseudoscientific beliefs, termed “metagenetics” by McNallen, link ethnicity and spirituality, claiming a biological connection to Northern European ancestors. Despite its controversial views and history, the AFA positions itself as a legitimate religious and cultural organization, actively recruiting and expanding its membership.[9]

1 League of the South (USA)

League of the South member explains the reason for the rally at Fort Sanders

The League of the South (LOS) is a neo-Confederate organization founded in 1994 by Southern university professors. Initially presenting an academic facade, the group quickly adopted explicitly racist and violent ideologies, advocating for Southern secession and a theocratic government dominated by a white elite. The LOS opposes federal authority and Northern and Coastal states and promotes anti-Semitic and anti-black rhetoric, envisioning a society structured by racial hierarchy.

While LOS has historically participated in traditional politics, it increasingly embraced radical positions. This shift is exemplified by founding member Jack Kershaw’s pro-slavery comments and his call for a society with distinct roles for “superiors, equals, and inferiors.” The group’s radicalization included forming a paramilitary unit, the “Indomitables,” later renamed the “Southern Defense Force.” LOS members have been involved in violent activities and participated in the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, VA.

Despite efforts to retain and recruit members, including the controversial adoption of the Southern nationalist flag, the group has faced setbacks, such as losing their long-time conference venue and the departure of key members. The LOS continues to promote its vision of a white-dominated South, though its influence and support have waned.[10]

fact checked by
Darci Heikkinen

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