Vigilante Groups Stoke Fears and Fuel Far-Right Across Europe

In the past few months, a renewed wave of anti-migrant vigilante groups has emerged across Europe. These groups, often sporting black shirts and military-style insignia, have taken to the streets in countries like Iceland, Poland, and Northern Ireland, claiming to be a "protective force" against migrants and asylum seekers.

However, experts who have studied vigilantism warn that these groups are more likely to exacerbate security concerns and sow fear rather than create a sense of safety. Tore Bjørgo, a professor at the University of Oslo, explains that the vigilantes' actions are often "a show for media and political purposes," as far-right and extreme-right organizations use these patrols to gain publicity and recruit new members.

The article cites several examples of these vigilante groups, including individuals who have marched through the streets of Reykjavík, gathered along the German border in Poland and the Netherlands, and roamed the streets of Belfast, demanding to see the identity documents of migrants and people of color. Researchers have found that many of the participants in these groups have criminal histories, ranging from domestic violence to drug dealing and burglary, and see the vigilante patrols as a way to improve their standing in the community.

Despite their relatively small numbers, the outsized role these groups play on social media and traditional media allows them to potentially reframe the public's perception of migration, portraying it as a security concern rather than a humanitarian issue. This, in turn, can feed into the narratives of far-right factions who advocate for stricter border controls and security measures.