Following the February 3, 2023 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio, hazardous materials including vinyl chloride leaked from several cars leading to the dispersal of contaminants in the air and water sources.[1]
Still from a TikTok video showing the consequences of the East Palestine train derailment.
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In the immediate aftermath of the incident, U.S.-based extremists took to various social media platforms including Gab, Telegram, Odysee, and Twitter to disseminate propaganda, radicalize skeptics, and fundraise. Some groups have also taken to social media to show offline activities conducted by members purportedly in support of Ohio residents affected by the derailment.
Image of a white supremacist confronting Congressman Bill Johnson (right) during a townhall in East Palestine, Ohio.
The following report covers the extremist social media content published in response to the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
American Neo-Nazis Accuse Federal Government Of Genocide, Attacking White Americans
On Telegram, a neo-Nazi channel posted a response to derailment on February 13, 2023, referring to the derailment as "The poisoning of America."
A neo-Nazi streamer posted a link on Gab to an episode of his podcast, hosted on Odysee, with the description: "Epiosde 105 of the ... goes live on Odysee at the top of the hour. Today's topics are the train derailment in Ohio and the very difficult conversation about ritual child sacrifices. We must all come to terms with just how diabolically evil our enemy the Zionist jews actually are. Tune in only if you have the stomach for it. #14Words"
In the video, the individual declared: "I want you to know that that was a massive chemical attack on white conservatives in America. As we go through this discussion, you will see, and I will convince you in the next 20 minutes or so, that we are at war and the Globalist forces that are trying to implement a one-world communist government and enslave us for God knows how long are on the attack... you cannot escape the horrors that are coming our way no matter where you move to, no matter what country you move to. These Globalists are going to enslave the entire world if we do not stop them. And as far as I'm concerned, they've drawn first blood with this chemical attack in Ohio."
On Gab, in an antisemitic group a user posted an image of smoke from the fire with the text: "Where's a wooden door when you need it?" The reference to wooden doors is a Holocaust denial trope suggesting that sealed wooden doors cannot prevent toxic gas from leaking.
White Supremacists Accuse Biden, U.S. Government Of Attacking Whites, Genocide, And Call For Donations
On Telegram, a neo-Confederate account posted a plea for donations on February 15, stating: "Please donate. We need to help the White working class who are suffering at the hands of Biden's Zio-American Third World Dictatorship. These people are going to be poisoned all because they didn't vote for Biden. He is targeting his political enemies. Donate and share! Together we can rebuild!"
A white supremacist channel accused the government of genocide in a February 16 post that stated: "East Palestine, Ohio Train Disaster in Numbers [...] This was not an accident. This is genocide."
On Twitter, the New York chapter of a global white supremacist movement on February 18 posted images of new propaganda material focused on the derailment, with the caption: "More materials are placed! It has been made clear folks, ALL WE HAVE is Our Folk! With the Government forcing the Euro-Descendants of Palestine OH to live in filth, sickness and squalor are you surprised?!"
A white supremacist and antigovernment extremist published the following post on February 14 to his Gab account: "Its important that Bootyman not dump toxic chemicals into an open ditch and ignite them ON PURPOSE! These fools are worried about your kitchen range and car exhaust - while creating a mass extinction by poisoning the planet!"
American Fascists
A national fascist party published a post on February 13 on its Telegram channel, stating: "A disgusting indictment of a dysfunctional system."
Accelerationists Accuse Government Of A Coverup, Call For System Collapse
An accelerationist Telegram channel posted on February 16, stating: "Children in the East Palestine Ohio area where the train with vinyl chloride and another more deadly chemical that they don't even want to talk about was deliberately burned by the government which is contaminating the water of 10% of the population of the country, children are getting multiple rashes on their extremities. When they go in to places like Akron Children's Hospital parents are being told that they do not know how to screen for the issue they do not know how to tell if it is due to the chemicals. Research indicates the hospital is funded by Signet Jewelers out of New York City and you can guess who owns that..."
Antigovernment Militias Accuse Biden Administration Of Intentionally Causing Derailment
The leader of the Christian nationalist militia, published the following post on his Telegram channel on February 14: "I encourage everyone in the 'infected area' too dangerous for Red Cross Volunteers to get themselves and their loved ones as far away as possible as fast as YESTERDAY. Praying for our Nation that plays Meme Wars while it is attacked from without and within simultaneously."
QAnon Adherents Accuse Law Enforcement Of Arresting Media, Claim That Government And Businesses Planned Derailment
In a February 12 post on her Telegram channel, a prominent QAnon adherent posted: "Massive chemical accident recently occurred in East Palestine, Ohio. A train carrying hazardous materials (polyvinyl chloride and other chemicals) derailed and exploded. Local wildlife is dying and reporters attempting to cover the story are being arrested."
[1] Usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/02/16/east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment-fact-check/11263859002, February 16, 2023.
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