Extremists such as white supremacists and borderline livestreamers come to Los Angeles in the midst of wildfires to gain followers, promote social media activity, solicit donations, and recruit new members. , experts say, in some cases acting as emergency personnel.
Last weekend, Ryan Sanchez and three other members of his Nationalist Network group set up shop at the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier. Sanchez is Captured on video saluting Nazis During last year’s Conservative Political Action Conference, his crew drove overnight from Arizona, where he lives.
Sanchez was a member of a now-defunct white supremacist club known as Fight Club. Rise Above Movementis an ally of white supremacist Nick Fuentes and is sometimes known online by the nickname “Culture War Criminal.”
Sanchez, who did not respond to WIRED’s request for comment, claimed on his social media accounts that his organization had “received far more support than we expected,” and that all donations would go to Bob Hope Patriots. He said it was donated to the hall. In addition to protecting veterans, the organization also works with charities that work with the military and veterans. (Sanchez’s group did not respond to requests for confirmation whether it had made any donations.)
Although Sanchez and others claim they are in Los Angeles to do good, experts who track far-right activities told WIRED that far-right groups are actually working on social issues. He said it was “disaster tourism” to promote their own goals by appearing to be doing good. .
“Given much of their past activity, this is likely being used as a recruitment operation. We’ve seen more of this happen over the past year with far-right groups engaging in disaster tourism.” says programmer Freddie Cruz. Western States Center Monitoring and Training Manager. “We went through the same situation with Hurricane Helen and now it’s happening again. These groups are basically going to disaster areas to create propaganda and solicit donations. In some cases, they are actually stealing donations from local people.”
Sanchez said Monday that his group is no longer collecting supplies for relief efforts, but is still interested in meeting with potential recruits.
“Starting tomorrow, we will not be accepting any more donations, but if you are interested in volunteering, please contact us,” Sanchez wrote on Telegram and X on Sunday morning.
The donation link that Sanchez posted on his Telegram channel was linked directly to his personal CashApp account, and although it is unclear where the donation went, Sanchez said it was used to cover the group’s travel and lodging expenses. He suggested that
“The crisis in Los Angeles continues and high winds are expected in the coming days. Thanks to your support, the Nationalist Network is here for our fellow Americans,” Sanchez said Monday. he wrote on his Telegram and X accounts, later asking for more donations “if you can help us feed our activists and keep fighting.”
In addition to Sanchez and the Nationalist Network, multiple MAGA livestreamers have traveled to LA in recent days and begun posting post-fire content while soliciting donations from their followers.
