Violence emanating from far-right anti-vaccine/anti-mask contingent keeps ratcheting higher

[BlueWavePsych]

In Michigan, an anti-vaccination fanatic tries to run a county health official off the road at 70 mph. In Germany, a service station attendant enforcing a mask mandate is shot and killed by a customer who objects to the rule. In Japan, an angry anti-vaccination activist sends a faxed letter to authorities threatening a Yakuza “bloodbath” at a coronavirus vaccination center. In Australia, protest crowds featuring an amalgam of neo-Nazis, vaccine conspiracists, and construction workers attacked the headquarters of the local maritime union in Melbourne over a recently announced vaccine mandate.

The threat of violence has lurked just under the surface of most right-wing anti-vaccination/anti-masking protests that have erupted over the past year. But as pressure continues to mount for unvaccinated people to get their COVID-19 vaccine shots, the fanatical ideologues among them are increasingly ratcheting up violence as their form of resistance. And it has become a global problem.

The threats have been an ongoing feature of the misinformation-fueled right-wing resistance to pandemic health measures since protests first began breaking out in 2020. The result has been a steady exodus of health care workers from the profession that was observed nearly a year ago.

"Some of our public health officials have been physically threatened, politically scapegoated," said Lori Freeman of the National Association of County and City Health Officials. "Their roles have been diminished, their authorities have been in some cases taken away."

At least 248 public health leaders resigned, retired or were fired between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, according to an ongoing investigation by the Associated Press and Kaiser Health News.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/9/22/2053846/-Violence-emanating-from-far-right-anti-vaccine-anti-mask-contingent-keeps-ratcheting-higher

[Botany]

1. "The threats have been an ongoing feature of the misinformation-fueled right-wing ... "

See the internets, right wing talk radio & tv, and Vlad Putin.

[BlueWavePsych]

2. Iconic zombies ;)

[Silver Gaia]

5. I have the same reaction to that photo!!

Looks like a shot from The Walking Dead!

[krkaufman]

10. Thumbs up

Great companion pic

[yaesu]

4. rightwing but a cyber war against NATO countries so russia and china is fueling it and weaponizing

media, rightwing fascists, US PACS and the GOP.

[Botany]

8. CNN China and Russia 'weaponized' QAnon conspiracy around time of US Capitol attack, report says

Washington (CNN)Foreign adversaries like Russia and China "weaponized" QAnon messaging to sow further discord among the American population in the months leading up to, and following, the January 6 attack, according to a new report released Monday that details how these countries are not only utilizing the same false narratives to peddle disinformation on social media, but also fueling a conspiracy theory that could incite more violence by domestic extremists.

The findings, which are detailed in a report produced by the Soufan Center, suggest "that foreign states are utilizing the QAnon conspiracy theory to sow societal discord and even compromise legitimate political processes," the independent non-profit group, which is focused on global security, said in a press release.

US officials are keenly aware that state-backed actors from countries like Russia have been amplifying QAnon messaging and federal agencies are investigating that foreign nexus as part of a broader effort to address the threat posed by domestic extremists in the wake of January 6, multiple sources told CNN.

snip

Sources previously told CNN Russia has been pushing QAnon narratives as part of its long-standing disinformation campaign targeting the US, but Monday's report reveals new evidence that China, Iran and Saudi Arabia have also engaged in similar activity as recently as this year.


https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/19/politics/qanon-russia-china-amplification/index.html

[Ford_Prefect]

6. Not exactly. Steve Bannon has been pushing their buttons, or doing so by proxy

to keep the agitated on a boil.

[Evolve Dammit]

9. Why he is a free man is beyond me. Guess it's OK to foment violence and sedition. nt

[IronLionZion]

7. Good thing they're not terrorists

since none of these violent dangerous people have any political agenda

It is long past time to start charging these people with domestic terrorism in addition to assault, battery, and whatever else.

[panfluteman]

11. I Was Surprised to Hear About Vioent Incidents Erupting in Germany and Japan, of All Places,

Since these two countries are particularly known for their well organized and regimented societies and their respect for the rule of law. Merits further investigation as to what exactly is driving their rage, I suppose.

[keithbvadu2]

12. MAGA AKBAR! - Fantastic cartoon

[lambchopp59]

13. Social unrest, rampant terrorism, epidemic stupidity now brought to you thanks to:

Along with the copycat, top-the-crazy RW media that spawned and ignited those who assimilated enough of the lead poisoning from industries that support this vicious cycle of devastation. there's a worldwide mental health crisis that will take decades and conscientious effort to tamp down. We're all still absorbing toxins from a devastating error.
It starts with taking personal responsibility over privilege.
Worldwide, humans have earned a failing grade. Even many right here on DU. Only living one step more responsibly than this:

isn't going to be enough, but it's a start.

[Roc2020]

14. that's where they are

there is no reasoning or serious debate or rational argument with Trump world anymore. The Axis of Evil is now right here.