Hate and extremist groups, particularly neo-Nazis and Anti-Muslim groups, continued to expand across the nation in 2017, according to a report released today by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The SPLC's annual Year in Hate report shows 954 hate groups operated last year, an increase of about 4 percent from 2016. Within the white supremacist movement, neo-Nazi groups saw the greatest growth - from 99 groups in 2016 to 121 last year, according to SPLC. Anti-Muslim groups rose for a third straight year. There were 101 chapters in 2016 and 114 last year.

The Montgomery-based SPLC also reported an increase in black nationalist hate groups from 193 in 2016 to 233 in 2017. Heidi Beirich, the Center's Intelligence Project director, said the black nationalist groups are a reaction to white racism.

In a conference call with reporters, Beirich attributed part of the overall increase in hate groups to rhetoric by President Donald Trump and his appointments of individuals with ties to hate groups.

"President Trump in 2017 reflected what white supremacist groups want to see: a country where racism is sanctioned by the highest office, immigrants are given the boot and Muslims banned," Beirich, said. When you consider that only days into 2018, Trump called African countries 'shitholes,' it's clear he's not changing his tune. And that's music to the ears of white supremacists."

Not all hate groups saw an increase, last year, though. Ku Klux Klan groups decreased from 130 to 72, according to SPLC.

"The decline is a clear indication that the new generation of white supremacists is rejecting the Klan's hoods and robes for the hipper image of the more loosely organized alt-right movement," SPLC said.

What hate groups were in Alabama?

The number of hate groups operating in Alabama last year was down to 23 from 27 in 2016, according to SPLC. During the previous three years, the number had increased in Alabama.

Alabama was home to these groups:

Statewide

American Christian Dixie Knights of the Ku Klux Klan

Exalted Knights of the Ku Klux Klan

Global Crusaders: Order of the Ku Klux Klan

National Socialist Liberation Front (Neo-Nazi)

The Daily Stormer

Traditionalist Worker Party (Neo-Nazi)

United Dixie White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan

Ashland

United Klans of America (Ku Klux Klan)

Auburn

Auburn White Student Union (White Nationalist)

Birmingham

Borderkeepers of Alabama (Anti-Immigrant)

Great Millstone (Black Nationalist)

Nation of Islam (Black Nationalist)

Center Point

Covenant Nation Church of the Lord Jesus Christ (Christian Identity)

Israel United In Christ (Black Nationalist)

Dothan

League of the South (Neo-Confederate)

Eufaula

Occidental Dissent (White Nationalist)

Killen

League of the South (Neo-Confederate)

Mobile

Israel United in Christ (Black Nationalist)

Nation of Islam (Black Nationalist)

Montgomery

Nation of Islam (Black Nationalist)

Tuscaloosa

League of the South (Neo-Confederate)

Weogufka

League of the South (Neo-Confederate)

Wetumpka

League of the South (Neo-Confederate)