I'm concerned that armed far-right groups will intimidate voters at the polls.

I listened to 40+ hours of militia convos and organizing on @zello, the walkie talkie app, while reporting this recent @onthemedia story. This is what I learned (THREAD): https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/segments/how-zello-became-recruitment-organizing-app-far-right

Some militia groups genuinely believe they are “protecting” their communities… this is what @MeganSquire0 told me:

Despite claiming they are “protectors” –– responders rather than instigators –– they constantly fantasize about a warrior's death and violent showdowns with BLM activists and antifa:

Some right-wing paramilitary groups desperately seek confirmation from local law enforcement. A few claimed they coordinated with police surrounding BLM protests:

That’s alarming, but there’s a silver-lining here. In one instance, a Michigan Sheriff named Michael Murphy publicly told local militias NOT to come to a BLM protest in June. From what I can tell, at least one armed group (begrudgingly) followed the sheriff’s orders.

Right now sheriffs across the country should be publicly asking local armed groups to not "stand guard" at polling places next week!!! https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/segments/how-zello-became-recruitment-organizing-app-far-right

Many armed far-right groups had relied on a Facebook-to Zello pipeline for recruitment and organizing. Facebook had allowed them to reach more people but Zello's quick voice communication is more suitable for recruitment interviews like these:

Facebook’s recent purge of militia pages stymied ~some~ of this. But I still find new militias on @Zello all the time. Smaller apps like Zello are even more important to far-right organizing now.

. @HamptonStall and I documented over 200 far-right channels on @Zello (boogaloo bois, III%ers, Oathkeepers, outright white nationalists, etc). These groups appear to violate the app's terms of service. https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/segments/how-zello-became-recruitment-organizing-app-far-right

A @Zello employee, who asked to remain anonymous, told me that the company has known about far-right groups on its platform since June, but chose not to kick them off or implement new moderation practices that would deter future organizing.

The company / @Zello CEO Bill Moore responded to those allegations:

I will be tracking militia activity surrounding the election next week. Please DM / email with tips and observations!

THE END