Tornado Alley (PROG)

[fuagf]

Loomer is as irresponsible and as destructively dangerous as the far-right misinformation-mongers get.

Viral hate and misinformation amid Israel-Hamas crisis renew fears of real-world violence

A six-year-old boy was fatally stabbed by a landlord fearing a ‘day of jihad.’ Watchdogs and
civil rights groups are warning platforms and politicians against Islamophobic and racist rhetoric

Alex Woodward
Tuesday 17 October 2023 00:33 BST

VIDEO - Family of boy killed in anti-Muslim attack demand Biden apology for 'misinformation'

Last week, Republican officials and right-wing figures amplified warnings of a “global day of jihad” across social media platforms, joining the already-toxic flood of viral mis- and disinformation from the fog of the Israel-Hamas war.

After growing increasingly concerned for his safety after listening to right-wing media and fearing a “day of jihad” attack against him, a 71-year-old landlord attacked the Palestinian-American tenants in their home, according to prosecutors in Illinois.

Joseph Czuba fatally stabbed a six-year-old boy 26 times and severely injured his mother, who was stabbed at least a dozen times, according to law enforcement officials. Wadea Al-Fayoume was buried on 16 October.

[...]

Far-right social media influencers including Jack Posobeic and Laura Loomer as well as platforms like InfoWars and Babylon Bee began designating 13 October as a “day of jihad” based on those comments. Rogan O’Handley falsely claimed Hamas called for an “international day of terrorism”. Charlie Kirk, the founder of influential right-wing organisation Turning Point USA, told his followers on Instagram to “arm up”.

Members of Congress including US Reps Marjorie Taylor Greene and Andy Biggs also promoted the “global jihad” claim.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/israel-hamas-misinformation-hate-crime-b2430788.html