Far-Right Extremists Pose as Emergency Workers Amid Los Angeles Wildfires
Extremists Take Advantage of Crisis
In the wake of destructive wildfires in Los Angeles, far-right extremists, including white supremacists and border livestreamers, have reportedly descended on the area. Their goal, according to experts, is to boost social media engagement, solicit donations, and recruit members while posing as emergency workers.
Key Figures in the Movement
Ryan Sánchez, alongside three members of his Nationalist Network group, was spotted at Santa Monica Pier's entrance over the past weekend. Known for his controversial actions, such as a Nazi salute at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Sánchez and his team hailed from Arizona, where they organized their presence overnight.
An affiliate of the now-dissolved white supremacist group Rise Above Movement, Sánchez has ties to white supremacist leader Nick Fuentes. Under his online alias "Culture War Criminal," Sánchez maintains that his group received unexpectedly high support during their activities in Los Angeles. He mentioned that donations were directed to the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, though confirmation of such donations is pending.
Claims and Counter-narratives
Despite their claims of humanitarian motives, experts in monitoring extremist groups believe Sánchez and his peers are engaging in "disaster tourism," exploiting crisis situations to further their far-right agendas. Freddy Cruz of the Western States Center highlighted this technique, citing previous instances like Hurricane Helene where extremists propagated similar strategies.
"We continue to witness these groups traveling to disaster zones, ostensibly to help, but using the opportunity to push propaganda and solicit donations," Cruz explained, expressing concern about potential donation misappropriation.
On-the-Ground Activities
By Monday, Ryan Sánchez announced a cessation of material collection for relief, though still expressed interest in meeting prospective recruits. His communication via Telegram and X urged interested volunteers to reach out, despite the halt on donations.
Uncertainty remains around Sánchez's donation processes. A link posted in his Telegram channel, connecting directly to his Cash App, raises questions over the allocation of any received funds, although he suggests they're used for travel and accommodation purposes.
Call to Action
In an ongoing social media campaign, Sánchez conveyed, "The crisis in Los Angeles continues, with high winds expected in the coming days. Thanks to your support, the Nationalist Network will be here for our fellow Americans," further urging for financial contributions to sustain his group's activities in the city.
A Broader Far-Right Presence
Beyond Sánchez, several MAGA-affiliated livestreamers have also traveled to Los Angeles amid the chaos, aiming to produce content from the aftermath of the wildfires while actively seeking monetary support from their online audiences.