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What is QAnon and Why is it Important?

Every group that has extremist views is important to know about.

Which fringe groups do you track or get threat briefings on via your Fusion Center at your state?  Ever since I became involved with civilian emergency management there has been a strong connection with law enforcement. Just recently I mentioned that the Pacific Northwest was a hotbed for right wing groups and also motorcycle gangs back in the mid-1990's. Much of the activity was centered around Hayden Lake Idaho and the Aryan Nations

They are history at this point, but adherents to extremism still exist in the region, see this LA Times article, Hate makes a comeback in the Pacific Northwest 

I am not equating the "QAnon movement" for lack of a better term, with the racists written about in the links above, but when baseless claims and a rejection of facts that is part of their culture. A group of people, sharing a common belief untethered to truth can turn right or left--towards violence very quickly. 

A friend of mine asked me the other day, "Who are these QAnon people? 

Here are two sources, one a Fresh Air Podcast Why QAnon Is Important

Which is an interview with Adrienne LaFrance, Executive Editor for the Atlantic Magazine who wrote an article The Prophecies of Q

My recommendation, bone up on the people who believe these things to make yourself a better informed citizen and emergency manager. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eric Holdeman is a contributing writer for Emergency Management magazine and is the former director of the King County, Wash., Office of Emergency Management.