Nov. 6 2024, Revealed 12:08 p.m. ET
A fast fact-check confirmed Georgia authorities didn’t difficulty any warning to Black residents about potential violence earlier than this yr’s election.
Current rumors claiming the Georgia Sheriff’s Workplace warned Black ladies about potential Ku Klux Klan assaults unfold broadly on-line, falsely suggesting the alert was issued forward of the 2024 Election Day, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
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The claims of violence at polling stations had been refuted, with fear the whispers of KKK assaults may doubtlessly forestall residents in the important thing battleground state from voting.
The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Workplace, the supply of the alleged warning, clarified in an announcement on November 2: “We’ve not obtained any info indicating threats to any group(s) on or after election day.
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“Hateful discourse similar to this goals to instill worry locally and disrupt us from exercising our constitutional rights.
“The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Workplace stays devoted to defending all residents and we’ll proceed to watch and reply accordingly to all suspicious and threatening habits.”
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It continued: “We are going to proceed collaborating with native, state, and federal authorities to remain present on any potential threats surrounding the overall election.”
The sheriff’s workplace posted an replace on Election Day, reaffirming its dedication to “defending the residents of Gwinnett County”.
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It learn: “In case you observe something uncommon or suspicious at your polling location, please report it to your native regulation enforcement company by calling 911. Voting is a elementary proper and a vital a part of our democracy. We encourage all voters to train their proper to vote peacefully and respectfully.”
The widely-shared rumor — which unfold throughout Instagram and Threads — started circulating on November 1 and gained main steam on Election Day.
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Some even claimed they obtained the warning on the neighborhood app NextDoor.
The message learn: “Hey girls, I simply obtained this from a buddy who works within the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s workplace!!! Be on Alert…”
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It continued: “Final evening, a deputy advised a household that native White Supremacists/ KKK members originating out of Lexington, NC, are planning to assault from now till the Inauguration.
“They’re plotting towards Blacks, particularly black ladies as a result of of their eyes, we’re straightforward targets! Please be vigilant!”
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Nevertheless, no credible experiences of potential assaults concentrating on Black ladies within the county, which supported Joe Biden within the 2020 election, surfaced earlier than Tuesday.
A polling location in Gwinnett County, a suburb of Atlanta, was shut down for roughly an hour Tuesday afternoon as a result of a non-credible bomb menace, CNN reported
The Georgia Secretary of State’s workplace requested a choose to increase polling hours on the affected places to compensate for the time misplaced.