Regional Overview
United States & Canada
February 2024

United States: Demonstrations condemning Biden’s stance on Palestine surge

Demonstrations related to Palestine made up more than a quarter of all demonstration activity in the US in February, with pro-Palestine demonstrations comprising by far the largest share of the total. Pro-Palestine demonstrations took place across at least 39 states and Washington, DC, with the largest share of rallies held in New York, California, and Pennsylvania. Police intervened to disperse the demonstrators in more than 10% of these demonstrations, including more than 25% of those held in New York. 

Demonstrations specifically condemning President Joe Biden’s approach to the conflict increased in February; anti-Biden demonstrations reached levels comparable to those recorded between November 2020 and January 2021, around the highly contentious 2020 presidential election. Anger over Biden’s handling of the conflict was also evident in Michigan’s Democratic primary election on 27 February. Though he won by far the largest share of votes — no other candidate received more than 3% — more than 13% voted “uncommitted” in an apparent protest vote.¹Joseph Stepansky, ‘Minnesota’s ‘stunning’ uncommitted vote reveals enduring problem for Biden,’ Al Jazeera, 6 March 2024 

Though more than 90% of demonstrations related to the conflict last month were peaceful, some notable incidents took place. On 2 February, a man leaving a pro-Israel demonstration near Columbia University in New York was assaulted by a group of pro-Palestine counter-demonstrators, who shoved him and pinned him to the ground. On 4 February, a man stopped a car leaving a demonstration in Austin, Texas, that was displaying a kuffiyya with “Palestine” written on it. He dragged a Palestinian American citizen out of the car and stabbed him, breaking one of his ribs. The victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

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United States: Ongoing far-right militia, militant social movement, and white supremacist training events and other activities

The activity of far-right groups, militant social movements, and white supremacists significantly increased from January to February. The Verde Valley Preparedness Team, Lions of Liberty, and the Chino Valley Preparedness Team held recruitment meetings in Arizona. At the US-Mexico border, Veterans on Patrol carried out patrols at a rate comparable to January. Members of the Proud Boys also participated in two demonstrations in Michigan and Arizona in support of former President Donald Trump and the Second Amendment.

Openly white supremacist activity continued in February at a similar rate to the month prior. White Lives Matter affiliates dropped promotional banners that also condemned immigration policies in Delaware, marking their first recorded activity in the state, as well as in Texas, Michigan, and Minnesota. White Lives Matter affiliates also participated in demonstrations in New Jersey, Montana, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Active clubs, which are loosely affiliated with the Rise Above Movement, increased their activity in February, holding trainings, dropping banners, and participating in demonstrations in at least 10 US states. The Nationalist Social Club participated in a demonstration outside the Massachusetts governor’s home in Arlington, Massachusetts, and outside a public library in Cumberland, Rhode Island, marking the group’s first recorded activity in 2024.

Several far-right groups — including 1776 Restoration Movement, Patriot Front, and Active Club affiliates — participated in the ‘Take our Border Back’ convoy demonstration, which ended with rallies in Texas, California, and Arizona in early February. Shortly after these rallies, three armed men who had been with the convoy, including one affiliated with 1776 Restoration Movement, conducted armed patrols in the area around the US-Mexico border. In at least one instance, one man drew his pistol and aimed it at a migrant approaching his vehicle with a knife. The Patriot Front also held trainings in Texas, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Massachusetts, dropped banners in nine other states, and demonstrated against LGBTQ+ people and immigration policies in Colorado, Kentucky, and California.

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