A screenshot of the Southern Poverty Law Center "Hate Map" that tracks hate groups across the country. The group reports there are 12 hate groups operating in Massachusetts.

By Melissa Hanson | MassLive

At least 12 hate groups are operating in Massachusetts, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a non-profit built out of the civil rights movement that uses litigation and advocacy to fight bigotry and hate.

In addition to its legal victories, the SPLC is known for its Intelligence Project, which tracks hate and extremist groups, including the KKK.

The center has an interactive "Hate Map" on its website that tracks such groups operating across the country.

According to its count, the SPLC has identified 12 hate groups currently operating in Massachusetts.

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All Eyes on Egipt Bookstore, a black separatist group with members in Dorchester

"Black separatists typically oppose integration and racial intermarriage, and they want separate institutions — or even a separate nation — for black people in America," according to the SPLC.

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Melissa Hanson | mhanson@masslive.com

ACT for America, an anti-Muslim group in Boston

ACT for American describes itself as the NRA of national security. The group says it is "committed to recruiting, training, and mobilizing citizens community by community to help protect and preserve American culture and to keep this nation safe."

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Israel United in Christ, a black separatist group with members in Boston

Israel United in Christ has chapters all over the country. According to the SPLC, the group has black separatist views, which often "are strongly anti-white and anti-Semitic, and a number of religious versions assert that blacks are the Biblical 'chosen people' of God."

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The Daily Stormer, a neo-Nazi group with members in Cambridge

The Daily Stormer is a website known for its white supremacist and neo-Nazi commentary and news. This month, the website moved to the dark web.

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Melissa Hanson | mhanson@masslive.com

Nation of Islam, a black separatist group in Boston

Nation of Islam is a leading example of a black separatist group, according to the SPLC. The group was led by Louis Farrakhan.

In 1997, Farrakhan made it known that he renounced none of the anti-white, anti-Semitic, anti-Catholic and anti-gay views of the previous Nation leader, Elijah Mohammed, the SPLC said.

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Melissa Hanson | mhanson@masslive.com

Mass Resistance, an anti-LGBT group in Waltham

Mass Resistance was founded in Waltham in 1995 and promotes very conservative views on homosexuality, transgender rights, same-sex marriage and more.

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Melissa Hanson | mhanson@masslive.com

The Daily Stormer, a neo-Nazi group in Lowell

Google, GoDaddy and Twitter have all blocked the Daily Stormer from their sites following the deadly Charlottesville, Virginia, white supremacist rally that led to the death of counter-protester Heather Heyer.

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Melissa Hanson | mhanson@masslive.com

Aryan Strikeforce, a racist skinhead group run statewide

The Aryan Strikeforce says its goal is to “to protect the honor of our women, children, and the future of our race and nation,” according to the SPLC.

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Melissa Hanson | mhanson@masslive.com

Gallows Tree Wotansvolk Alliance, a statewide neo-Nazi group

The group is described as neo-Nazi and operates statewide in Massachusetts.

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Melissa Hanson | mhanson@masslive.com

Concerned Citizens and Friends of Illegal Immigration Law Enforcement, a general hate group in Framingham

The group started in 2003 in Framingham and focuses on illegal immigration.

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Melissa Hanson | mhanson@masslive.com

Nation of Islam, a black separatist group in Springfield

Nation of Islam beliefs include that Yacub, a renegade black "scientist," created white people 6,600 years ago as an "inherently evil and ungodly people," the SPLC says.

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Abiding Truth Ministries, an anti-LGBT group in Springfield

The Abiding Truth Ministries started in the 1990s and is currently based in Springfield. It is a nonprofit and opposes LGBTQ rights.

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White nationalist demonstrators walk into the entrance of Lee Park surrounded by counter demonstrators in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. (AP photo)

What constitutes a hate group?

The hate map was compiled using group publications and websites, law enforcement reports, field sources and news reports, according to the SPLC.

Hate group activities can include criminal acts, marches, rallies, speeches, meetings, leafleting or publishing, the center says.

The center reports that there has been a 197 percent nationwide increase in total number of anti-Muslim hate groups from 2015 and that there were 130 active KKK groups operating in the country in 2016.

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National conversation on hate

Activities of hate groups and what constitutes free speech have been a nationwide conversation this week following a deadly protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend.

White nationalists and neo-Nazis marched holding torches in Charlottesville on Saturday. A counter-protest began, and a car plowed into the crowd, killing Heather Heyer and injuring at least 19 others.

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