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The latest ABC News/Washington Post poll found that most Americans (56 percent) disapproved of President Trumps response to Charlottesville. The poll also delved deeper into issues that were discussed because of the violence in Charlottesville. It's findings suggest that Americans are widely unfamiliar with the term alt-right.

Ten percent of those surveyed said they support the alt-right movement, 50 percent opposed it, and 41 percent had no opinion of it, indicating, as ABC noted, wide unfamiliarity.

Thirty-nine percent of those surveyed said the alt-right holds neo-Nazi or white supremacist views, 21 percent said it did not, and 39 percent had no opinion.

Theyre not the only ones struggling to understand what the term alt-right, commonly thrown around by the media, means.

During Trumps remarks on Charlottesville, a reporter said, Sen. McCain said that the alt-right is behind these attacks, and he linked that same group to those who perpetrated the attack in Charlottesville

Well, I don't know -- I can't tell you, Trump interrupted, I'm sure Sen. McCain must know what he's talking about. But when you say the alt- right, define alt-right to me. You define it, go ahead.

Well, I think that the reporter began hesitantly.

No, define it for me, come on, Trump insisted. Let's go. Define it for me.

What about the alt-left that came charging at the -- as you say, the alt-right? Do they have any semblance of guilt? Trump asked.

While some neo-Nazis and white supremacists have been labeled alt-right, so have more mainstream figures, including CNNs Jake Tapper.

The Anti-Defamation League calls it a vague term that actually encompasses a range of people on the extreme right who reject mainstream conservatism in favor of forms of conservatism that embrace implicit or explicit racism or white supremacy.

The New York Times defines it as a racist, far-right movement based on an ideology of white nationalism and anti-Semitism, acknowledging, many news organizations do not use the term, preferring terms like white nationalism and far right.

It is also anti-immigrant, anti-feminist and opposed to homosexuality and gay and transgender rights. It is highly decentralized but has a wide online presence, where its ideology is spread via racist or sexist memes with a satirical edge, they add.

An interestingly broad definition given that, just days before that definition was given, another New York Times writer referenced Milo Yiannopoulos as an alt-right provocateur, despite Yiannopoulos being openly gay.

Maybe the alt-right is not opposed to homosexuality? Or maybe just some of it is?

The poll also found that 35 percent of Americans reject the idea that Trump has been equating neo-Nazis and white supremacists with the counter protestors at the Charlottesville rally. Forty-two percent say he has been equating them, and 23 percent have no opinion.

The poll also asked participants, Do you yourself think its acceptable or unacceptable to hold neo-Nazi or white supremacist views?

Nine percent overall called it acceptable to hold neo-Nazi or white supremacist views, and 83 percent called this unacceptable, while 8 percent had no opinion.

Excerpt from:
New Poll on Charlottesville Shows Many Americans Confused by the Term 'Alt-Right' - Townhall

A permit has yet to be issued by the National Parks Department for the proposed Patriot Prayer rally at San Franciscos Crissy Field this Saturday, but even if the event is cancelled, dozens of counter protests are expected all over the Bay Area. Sam Brock reports. (Published 3 hours ago)

A permit has yet to be issued by the National Parks Department for the proposed Patriot Prayer rally at San Franciscos Crissy Field this Saturday, but even if the event is cancelled, dozens of counter protests are expected all over the Bay Area.

Congresswoman Jackie Speier believes the reason a permit has not been issued is because officials havent determined if the event could pose a threat to the local community.

Im certain that theyll make a decision within the next 24 hours that will make it convenient for those who want to protest and those who want to participate, said Speier after a Womens Equality Day press conference.

Until the National Parks Department determines whether or not to grant a permit, the Human Rights Commission has already begun to schedule a series of community events to help inspire a conversation on the issues of equality.

The events focus on educating participants on the historical context of movements against white supremacy in the Bay Area as well as the local impact of racism.

Were really hoping that folks will stay united, come together in love and avoid putting themselves in a situation where they may be provoked, said executive director of the Human Rights Commission, Sheryl Evans Davis.

Here are the upcoming events hosted by the Human Rights Commision:

Much like the Boston protests last weekend, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, hopes that Bay Area counter protesters will behave with the same.

I would hope that if people turn out, we have followed the example of Boston, said Pelosi after a Womens Equality Day press conference. Where the silence was deafening, it spoke louder than any of the comments that any of us could make.

Golden Gate Park headquarters have yet to respond to requests for more information on the issue.

The Patriots Prayer rally is billed as "a day of freedom, spirituality, unity, peace, and patriotism." Organizer Joey Gibson promises a diverse group of speakers and condemns the recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Check out this list of upcoming events:

Published 5 hours ago | Updated 4 minutes ago

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Counter 'Alt-Right' Protests Expected in San Francisco - NBC Bay Area

Sixty-seven planned rallies in 36 states that were meant to attract members of the so-called alt-right and other racist groups are moving online after a free speech rally on Saturday in Boston attended by white supremacists was drowned out by demonstrators.

ACT for America is deeply saddened that in todays divisive climate, citizens cannot peacefully express their opinion without risk of physical harm from terror groups domestic and international, reads a statement from the anti-Islamic group behind the rallies, which were meant to begin September 9.

Instead, a Day of ACTion will be conducted through online and other media, ACT said, but it did not detail what shape that would take.

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A demonstrator holds a U.S. flag in front of white supremacy flags and banners as self-proclaimed white nationalists and members of the "alt-right" gather for what they called a Freedom of Speech rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., June 25. Jim Bourg/Reuters

The group accuses extremist individuals and groups inspired by the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) as well as anti-fascists, neo-Nazis and the KKK of creating security issues at similar free speech events this month.

In recent weeks, extremist and radical organizations in the United States and abroad have overrun peaceful events in order to advance their own agendas, and in many cases, violence has been the result, the group said. Protests against neo-Nazis were held in Germany last week.

Tens of thousands of anti-racist demonstrators also marched in Boston Saturday, dwarfing the number of alt-right members who gathered to express their views in Boston Common. The alt-right label was coined by white nationalist Richard Spencer and acts as an umbrella term for white supremacists, conspiracy theorists and misogynists.

The counterprotest was largely peaceful and followed a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that turned violent the week before. In Charlottesville, one counterprotester was killed and 19 others injured when police said a right-wing activist drove his car into a group of pedestrians. Anti-fascist groups in Charlottesville also pepper-sprayed and beat white supremacists.

Related: U.S. authorities consider shutting down hard-right rallies after Charlottesville

The ACT for America statement was first given to the hard-right website Breitbart. The sites executive chairman, former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, has called the outlet a platform for the alt-right.

Two hate group watchdogs, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and Anti-Defamation League (ADL), identify ACT for America as the largest anti-Muslim group in the U.S. ACT propagates the hateful conspiracy theory that Muslims are infiltrating U.S. institutions in order to impose Sharia law, according to the ADL.

In June, ACT organized simultaneous March Against Shariah events throughout the U.S. that attracted armed militia groups, white nationalists and other members of the alt-right, including the Blood and soil fascist group Vanguard America and white nationalists Identity Evropa.

Shariah law in Europe and North America refers mainly to an Islamic family law court system set up for religious adherents that can be used to mediate and settle disputes. Many hard-right Americans see the system as encroaching on the traditional European court systems jurisdiction. Since 2010, 15 anti-Sharia bills have been passed in various states. A total of 42 have been tabled across the U.S.

ACT for Americas membership is patriotic citizens whose only goal is to celebrate Americas values and peacefully express their views regarding national security, according to group, which claims to have 750,000 members.

In 2007, the groups founder,Brigitte Gabriel, saidat the Department of Defenses Joint Forces Staff College that any practicing Muslim who believes the word of the Koran to be the word of Allah...who goes to mosque and prays every Friday, who prays five times a daythis practicing Muslim, who believes in the teachings of the Koran, cannot be a loyal citizen of the United States. She has made a number of other anti-Islamic statements.

Despite these statements, ACT says that any organizations or individuals advocating violence or hatred towardanyone based on race, religion, or affiliation are not welcome at ACT for America events, or in the organization.

The groups online day of action is planned for September 9.

View post:
Alt-Right 'America First' Rallies Move Online After Boston 'Free Speech' Protest Is Overrun - Newsweek

Richard Spencer, a prominent white nationalist, said Tuesday that, despite President Trump's remarks denouncingwhite supremacists and neo-Nazis, the president has yet to condemn the alt-right.

"Trump has never denounced the Alt-Right. Nor will he," Spencer wrote on Twitter.

Trump has never denounced the Alt-Right. Nor will he. #ArizonaTrumpRally

Speaking at a campaign-style rally in Phoenix on Tuesday night, Trump insisted that he sufficiently denounced hate groups after violence erupted during a white nationalist demonstration in Charlottesville, Va., earlier this month.

Instead, he said, the media failed to accurately cover his remarks in the wake of the violence that left one counterprotester dead.

"They dont report the facts. Just like they dont want to report that I spoke out forcefully against hatred, bigotry and violence and strongly condemned the neo-Nazis the white supremacists and the KKK," he said.

But Trump made no mention of his initial claim in the aftermath of the violence that "many sides" were responsible for the mayhem a claim that drew fire from both Democrats and Republicans.

Continued here:
Richard Spencer: 'Trump has never denounced the Alt-Right' | TheHill - The Hill (blog)

Other than Nickelback, whose trajectory no good music writer can explain, its pretty obvious early on whether a new band has the goods to convert the music into an actual career. Austin electro-rock act Culture Wars is one group with the potential to hit the big time. The band is set to make an impact with its self-titled EP, released this month.

While only five songs, each one could sit comfortably on alternative rock radio charts. From the soaring Imagine Dragons riffs of Hideaway, to the Alt-J via Depeche Mode styling of Bones, and the Nine Inch Nails-meets-T. Rex stomp of standout Money (Gimme Gimme), theres not a dud among them.

Culture Wars hits White Oak Music Hall Thursday night after a long gestation period in the studio, ready to ply their hard work into a live experience the band promises to be special. Be there to say you knew them before they blew up.

The band's guitarist MicVrendenburghrecently checked in with CultureMapfollowing a studio session where the band is working on new songs for a future full length.

Five things to know about Culture Wars:

Culture Wars rose out of defunct Austin five-piece The Vanity and all three members have been playing music for years. Fun fact:Vrendenburghholds a graduate degree in cello from University of Texas.

Mic Vrendenburgh: The three core members came together after the demise of The Vanity. That band phased out sometime last year and we started writing music that was very different from that, which we decided to call Culture Wars at some point. The other two band members have known each other for a little longer than theyve known me, but Ive known them for about three years now.I got really close to them and when the time came to start a new band, I was very happy to keep going with them because they had become my best buds.

The name Culture Wars came from a long list of names, ultimately decided on because it fit the new direction of the music.

MV: It had a bit of an edge to it when a lot of other names didnt and we felt it represented the new music better, its a little more aggressive and experimental. As far as the political ideology that comes to mind with the term "culture wars," there wasnt really anything like that in creating the name. But that being said, we do like to draw from a lot of different places when we write music, so it kind of works that way too.

The bands EP, produced by Rob Sewell, features a cache of tracks with the ability to get into your head, including first single,Money (Gimmie, Gimmie).

MV:(After The Vanity), we had the conscious thought that we still wanted to write really great music but we wanted to give every song the chance of being someones favorite song on the radio, not something experimental song structure-wise. I think it takes a certain discipline to really make something with the fat trimmed off, that has that pop sensibility and still keep your own character in the sound. Thats really what we were going for.

The EP was mixed and mastered by Alan Moulder who has worked on a ton of classic albums by artists you love, including Nine Inch Nails, The Killers, Depeche Mode and Interpol, and Manny Marroquin, who worked on albums by Kanye West and Imagine Dragons.

MV: Its a dream come true. We have a great manager, Kevin Womack, here in Austin that has helped us out through the whole process in creating a new band. He had a good relationship with Manny and made it happen. It wasnt a sure thing but we thought, "Why not?" It worked out and ended up being really cool.

Not surprisingly, Culture Wars is influenced by those bands and others that incorporate electronics into their rock sound.

MV: Depeche Mode is definitely a big influence. Tears for Fears too. A lot of them are what you would call synth-pop bands. We used a lot of synthesizers on this EP, which is different for us because we were guitar-based before and now we combine everything and pull out all the stops.

Culture Wars performs at White Oak Music Hall on Thursday, Aug. 24 with Houston act Deep Cuts and Austin DJ Charles Mxxn. Doors open at 8 pm.Tickets are $10.

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Meet Culture Wars: Rising alt-rock band adopts new name and edgier direction - CultureMap Houston