ISD’s Mack Lamoureux joined the Fighting Matters podcast to discuss the rise of Active Clubs

ISD’s Mack Lamoureux joined the Fighting Matters podcast to discuss the rise of Active Clubs—white supremacist extremist groups organized around physical fitness and martial arts training.

Speaking with the Brazilian jiu-jitsu podcast Mack explained how the Active Clubs are a decentralized network of local cells, often deeply connected to other extremist groups. 

“Their members are at times members of other groups, and they also have a lot of leeching into other groups,” said Mack. “They have a connection to Patriot Front, which is probably the most active white nationalist group in the United States right now.” 

Mack explained how Active Clubs use martial arts—and the tight-knit community it creates—as a tool to recruit individuals into their network. Mack warned that the martial arts community must stay vigilant to their rising influence. 

“They’re winning, they’re growing, and there needs to be pushback,” he said. 

You can listen to the full podcast on Apple Podcasts.