Alicia Garza, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, revealed that she was recently identified as a potential target of white supremacist groups. Sharing the terrifying developments on Twitter, Garza said the Federal Bureau of Investigation spoke to her on Friday and identified an Idaho man who plotted to attack the activist.
“The FBI visited my house today. They arrested a man in Idaho on weapons charges who they believe was affiliated with white supremacist groups,” Garza tweeted. “They found my name on a list in his home, alongside others.”
The FBI visited my house today. They arrested a man in Idaho on weapons charges who they believe was affiliated with white supremacist groups. They found my name on a list in his home, alongside others.
— Alicia Garza (@aliciagarza) October 23, 2020
The social justice champion blamed President Donald Trump's continuous racist rhetoric for the increase in hate crimes in recent years.
"This is why this President is so dangerous," she said. "He is stoking fires he has no intention of controlling. I’m ok y’all, but this s*** is not ok. Vote this muthaf***a out. For real."
This is why this President is so dangerous. He is stoking fires he has no intention of controlling. I’m ok y’all, but this shit is not ok. Vote this muthafucka out. For real.
— Alicia Garza (@aliciagarza) October 23, 2020
The spike in hate crimes has been especially evident in Los Angeles, where Garza lives. According to The Los Angeles Times, white supremacist crimes increased by 38% last year, marking the highest number of violent hate crimes reported in Los Angeles County in more than a decade. At the same time, attacks on the transgender community jumped by 64% in the county.
In Georgia, a white teenager named Caitlyn Pye was sentenced to juvenile prison on Thursday after planning to attack members of a historically Black church last year, according to The Gainesville Times. A 19-year-old North Carolina man was also recently indicted after he was found with a van full of weapons and explosives, planning to attack Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, The Hill reported.
As Blavity previously reported, Trump faced more backlash after telling the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” during the first presidential debate last month. Garza reiterated the danger of the President's callousness in another tweet, sharing an article about right-wing agitators shooting up and burning a Minnesota police precinct during George Floyd protests.
"Your President and his people are putting our lives in danger," The Purpose Of Power author said. "Meanwhile, they fail to hold accountable people who are ACTUALLY committing terrorist acts."
More of this needs to be told. Again, your President and his people are putting our lives in danger. Meanwhile, they fail to hold accountable people who are ACTUALLY committing terrorist acts. https://t.co/8wSD7Okic8
— Alicia Garza (@aliciagarza) October 23, 2020
As Blavity previously reported, Garza aimed to inspire a new generation of social justice activists with the release of her book, The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart. The author wrote about the lessons she has learned throughout her 20 years of activism.
Garza initiated the Black Lives Matter movement in 2013 after years of organizing and a Facebook post about the acquittal of George Zimmerman, the white man who killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
"Black people. I love you. I love us. Our lives matter," she wrote in the post.
The statement went viral after Patrisse Cullors added a hashtag in front of Black Lives Matter. Co-founder Opal Tometi then built the websites that would help the women organize the Black Lives Matter movement.
