FACT CHECK: Posts About White Supremacists Threatening Violent Attacks in Gwinnett County Lack Evidence

Elias Atienza | Senior Reporter

A post shared on Facebook claims that officials within the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office are warning about white supremacists being potentially violent from Election Day until the inauguration.

Verdict: Misleading

The county’s sheriff’s office said in a statement that they do not have any information about a potential attack or attacks from white supremacists.

Fact Check:

Social media users are claiming that the employees within Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office are warning about white supremacist attacks against African Americans, particularly women.

“Hey ladies, I just received this from a friend who works in the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s office!!! Be on Alert… Last night, a deputy told a family that local White Supremacists/ KKK members originating out of Lexington, NC, are planning to attack from now until the Inauguration. They are plotting against Blacks, especially black women because in their eyes, we are easy targets! Please be vigilant!” reads the post.

This claim lacks evidence. Media outlets, such as 11Alive and ABC 10, have reported that the messages lack evidence. Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office said in a Nov. 2 Facebook post that they were “aware” of the text thread but do not have any information about threats. (RELATED: Was Trump’s Name Misspelled On Ballots In Ohio?)

“The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office has been made aware of a circulating text thread suggesting potential attacks on African American women ‘from now through the inauguration.’ We have not received any information indicating threats to any group(s) on or after election day,” the statement reads.

It continues, “Hateful discourse such as this aims to instill fear in the community and disrupt us from exercising our constitutional rights. The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to protecting all citizens and we will continue to monitor and respond accordingly to all suspicious and threatening behavior.”

Check Your Fact will update this article if more information becomes available.

Elias Atienza

Senior Reporter
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