Domestic terrorism and violent extremism is a growing threat in the United States. The FBI had 9,049 open domestic terrorism cases in fiscal 2021, up 357% from the number of open domestic terrorism cases in fiscal 2013. Many of the most violent incidents of domestic terrorism in the U.S. today are carried out by individuals who have been radicalized by racist, homophobic, ethnocentric, or anti-government ideologies – ideologies widely propagated by extremist hate groups.Â
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit legal advocacy group, there were 1,224 active hate and anti-government groups in the U.S. in 2022. These groups include those with distinct chapters in cities across the country, such as the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, the Ku Klux Klan, and ACT for America. While specific views vary between these and other groups, they are generally all galvanized by curtailing government power or hatred toward individuals of certain races, religions, ethnicities, or sexual orientations.Â
These groups are active in each of the 50 states, but in some parts of the country, they are far more common than in others.Â
Using data from the SPLC report The Year in Hate & Extremism 2022, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the most hate groups. States are ranked by the total number of extremist anti-government and hate groups for every million residents. Population figures used for our calculation are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey.Â
Nationwide, there are 3.7 hate groups for every 1 million Americans. Depending on the state, the number of hate groups ranges from 1.5 to 15.5 per million people. In the last year alone, the number of known hate groups climbed in all but six states. The largest increases were reported in Wyoming, New Mexico, Iowa, and Utah, states that saw an increase of at least 350% in the number of hate groups each. (These are the states where the Proud Boys grew the most since January 6.)
The places with the highest concentration of active hate groups tend to be sparsely populated states in the West and Midwest. Still, three of the 10 states with highest concentration of hate and anti-government extremist groups are in the Northeast. Delaware, meanwhile, is the only Southern state to rank among the top 10 states by hate group concentration. (These are the states with the most January 6 rioters being charged.)
Click here to see states with the most hate groups.
Source: Jon Cherry / Getty Images News via Getty Images
50. Louisiana
> Hate groups in 2022: 1.5 per million people (7 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #10 most, with 3.2 per million people (15 total)
> Population: 4,624,047
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (3), Neo-Confederate (1)
> State demographic makeup: 56.9% white; 31.0% Black; 4.3% foreign born
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
49. Massachusetts
> Hate groups in 2022: 1.6 per million people (11 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #34 most, with 2.0 per million people (14 total)
> Population: 6,984,723
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (6), Anti-LGBTQ (2), White Nationalist (1)
> State demographic makeup: 67.5% white; 6.3% Black; 17.6% foreign born
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
48. Kansas
> Hate groups in 2022: 2 per million people (6 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #46 most, with 1.4 per million people (4 total)
> Population: 2,934,582
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (3), White Nationalist (1)
> State demographic makeup: 73.4% white; 5.1% Black; 6.9% foreign born
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
47. Kentucky
> Hate groups in 2022: 2 per million people (9 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #35 most, with 2.0 per million people (9 total)
> Population: 4,509,394
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (3), General Hate (2), Neo-Völkisch (1)
> State demographic makeup: 82.7% white; 7.1% Black; 4.0% foreign born
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46. Georgia
> Hate groups in 2022: 2.2 per million people (24 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #31 most, with 2.2 per million people (24 total)
> Population: 10,799,566
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (13), White Nationalist (3), Anti-LGBTQ (2)
> State demographic makeup: 50.2% white; 30.4% Black; 10.0% foreign born
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
45. Texas
> Hate groups in 2022: 2.4 per million people (72 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #41 most, with 1.8 per million people (52 total)
> Population: 29,527,941
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (39), General Hate (10), Anti-LGBTQ (5)
> State demographic makeup: 39.4% white; 11.6% Black; 17.2% foreign born
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Source: Timothy Ivy / Getty Images News via Getty Images
44. Mississippi
> Hate groups in 2022: 2.4 per million people (7 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #21 most, with 2.7 per million people (8 total)
> Population: 2,949,965
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (4), White Nationalist (1)
> State demographic makeup: 55.4% white; 36.0% Black; 2.1% foreign born
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Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
43. New Jersey
> Hate groups in 2022: 2.4 per million people (22 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #47 most, with 1.3 per million people (12 total)
> Population: 9,267,130
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (16), White Nationalist (2), Anti-Immigrant (1)
> State demographic makeup: 52.1% white; 12.3% Black; 23.0% foreign born
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
42. New Mexico
> Hate groups in 2022: 2.4 per million people (5 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #50 most, with 0.5 per million people (1 total)
> Population: 2,115,877
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (4), White Nationalist (1)
> State demographic makeup: 34.9% white; 1.7% Black; 9.1% foreign born
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41. California
> Hate groups in 2022: 2.6 per million people (103 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #43 most, with 1.7 per million people (65 total)
> Population: 39,237,836
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (57), General Hate (15), Anti-Muslim (8)
> State demographic makeup: 34.3% white; 5.3% Black; 26.6% foreign born
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
40. Alabama
> Hate groups in 2022: 2.6 per million people (13 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #24 most, with 2.6 per million people (13 total)
> Population: 5,039,877
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (8), Neo-Confederate (2)
> State demographic makeup: 64.2% white; 25.8% Black; 3.5% foreign born
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Source: TomasSereda / iStock via Getty Images
39. New York
> Hate groups in 2022: 2.7 per million people (53 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #40 most, with 1.8 per million people (35 total)
> Population: 19,835,913
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (25), General Hate (12), White Nationalist (4)
> State demographic makeup: 53.5% white; 13.4% Black; 22.3% foreign born
Source: lhongfoto / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
38. Illinois
> Hate groups in 2022: 2.8 per million people (35 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #37 most, with 1.8 per million people (23 total)
> Population: 12,671,469
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (17), Anti-LGBTQ (4)
> State demographic makeup: 58.9% white; 13.4% Black; 14.2% foreign born
Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
37. Michigan
> Hate groups in 2022: 2.9 per million people (29 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #38 most, with 1.8 per million people (18 total)
> Population: 10,050,811
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (19), White Nationalist (3)
> State demographic makeup: 72.9% white; 13.2% Black; 6.8% foreign born
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
36. Connecticut
> Hate groups in 2022: 3.1 per million people (11 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #36 most, with 1.9 per million people (7 total)
> Population: 3,605,597
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (7), White Nationalist (1)
> State demographic makeup: 62.7% white; 9.9% Black; 15.2% foreign born
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
35. Oklahoma
> Hate groups in 2022: 3.3 per million people (13 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #30 most, with 2.3 per million people (9 total)
> Population: 3,986,639
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (9), Neo-Völkisch (1)
> State demographic makeup: 62.8% white; 6.7% Black; 5.8% foreign born
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Source: culbertson / iStock via Getty Images
34. Minnesota
> Hate groups in 2022: 3.3 per million people (19 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #44 most, with 1.6 per million people (9 total)
> Population: 5,707,390
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (11), Neo-Völkisch (2)
> State demographic makeup: 76.9% white; 6.7% Black; 8.5% foreign born
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
33. Wisconsin
> Hate groups in 2022: 3.6 per million people (21 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #33 most, with 2.0 per million people (12 total)
> Population: 5,895,908
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (13), Neo-Völkisch (2)
> State demographic makeup: 79.0% white; 6.1% Black; 5.1% foreign born
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
32. Missouri
> Hate groups in 2022: 3.6 per million people (22 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #19 most, with 2.8 per million people (17 total)
> Population: 6,168,187
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (12), General Hate (4), White Nationalist (2)
> State demographic makeup: 76.6% white; 10.7% Black; 4.1% foreign born
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Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images News via Getty Images
31. Washington
> Hate groups in 2022: 3.7 per million people (29 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #25 most, with 2.5 per million people (19 total)
> Population: 7,738,692
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (13), Anti-LGBTQ (3)
> State demographic makeup: 64.3% white; 3.9% Black; 14.8% foreign born
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
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30. Nevada
> Hate groups in 2022: 3.8 per million people (12 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #17 most, with 2.9 per million people (9 total)
> Population: 3,143,991
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (6), General Hate (2), Neo-Völkisch (1)
> State demographic makeup: 45.2% white; 8.7% Black; 18.4% foreign born
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29. Iowa
> Hate groups in 2022: 3.8 per million people (12 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #48 most, with 0.6 per million people (2 total)
> Population: 3,193,079
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (10), White Nationalist (1)
> State demographic makeup: 83.0% white; 3.5% Black; 5.4% foreign born
Source: Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
28. Florida
> Hate groups in 2022: 4.1 per million people (89 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #26 most, with 2.4 per million people (53 total)
> Population: 21,781,128
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (54), General Hate (11), Anti-LGBTQ (6)
> State demographic makeup: 51.1% white; 14.6% Black; 21.2% foreign born
Source: Sean Rayford / Getty Images News via Getty Images
27. North Carolina
> Hate groups in 2022: 4.1 per million people (43 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #22 most, with 2.7 per million people (28 total)
> Population: 10,551,162
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (27), General Hate (5), Neo-Confederate (3)
> State demographic makeup: 60.9% white; 19.9% Black; 8.2% foreign born
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
26. Maryland
> Hate groups in 2022: 4.1 per million people (25 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #39 most, with 1.8 per million people (11 total)
> Population: 6,165,129
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (15), General Hate (4), Neo-Confederate (1)
> State demographic makeup: 47.8% white; 29.0% Black; 15.9% foreign born
Source: Nathan Howard / Getty Images News via Getty Images
25. Indiana
> Hate groups in 2022: 4.3 per million people (29 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #32 most, with 2.1 per million people (14 total)
> Population: 6,805,985
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (16), White Nationalist (3), Neo-Völkisch (2)
> State demographic makeup: 76.6% white; 8.7% Black; 5.6% foreign born
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Source: Nathan Howard / Getty Images News via Getty Images
24. Vermont
> Hate groups in 2022: 4.6 per million people (3 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #12 most, with 3.1 per million people (2 total)
> Population: 645,570
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (2), White Nationalist (1), Neo-Völkisch(0)
> State demographic makeup: 90.6% white; 1.0% Black; 4.2% foreign born
Source: Karen Ducey / Getty Images News via Getty Images
23. Ohio
> Hate groups in 2022: 4.7 per million people (55 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #42 most, with 1.7 per million people (20 total)
> Population: 11,780,017
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (35), Anti-LGBTQ (4)
> State demographic makeup: 76.6% white; 11.8% Black; 5.0% foreign born
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
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22. Tennessee
> Hate groups in 2022: 4.7 per million people (33 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #4 most, with 4.0 per million people (28 total)
> Population: 6,975,218
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (12), White Nationalist (4), Neo-Nazi (3)
> State demographic makeup: 72.1% white; 15.4% Black; 5.3% foreign born
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
21. Virginia
> Hate groups in 2022: 5 per million people (43 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #28 most, with 2.3 per million people (20 total)
> Population: 8,642,274
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (28), White Nationalist (5), General Hate (3)
> State demographic makeup: 59.2% white; 18.0% Black; 12.4% foreign born
Source: Nathan Howard / Getty Images News via Getty Images
20. West Virginia
> Hate groups in 2022: 5 per million people (9 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #8 most, with 3.4 per million people (6 total)
> Population: 1,782,959
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (3), Anti Government Movement (3), Neo-Völkisch (1)
> State demographic makeup: 90.4% white; 2.8% Black; 1.6% foreign born
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Source: Michael Ciaglo / Getty Images News via Getty Images
19. Colorado
> Hate groups in 2022: 5.3 per million people (31 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #13 most, with 3.1 per million people (18 total)
> Population: 5,812,069
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (17), Anti-LGBTQ (4)
> State demographic makeup: 65.2% white; 3.7% Black; 9.8% foreign born
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18. Arkansas
> Hate groups in 2022: 5.3 per million people (16 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #15 most, with 3.0 per million people (9 total)
> Population: 3,025,891
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (9), White Nationalist (3), Neo-Völkisch (1)
> State demographic makeup: 68.2% white; 14.7% Black; 4.7% foreign born
Source: Nathan Howard / Getty Images News via Getty Images
17. Arizona
> Hate groups in 2022: 5.4 per million people (39 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #14 most, with 3.0 per million people (22 total)
> Population: 7,276,316
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (21), Anti-LGBTQ (5), White Nationalist (4)
> State demographic makeup: 52.0% white; 4.3% Black; 12.6% foreign born
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Source: Karen Ducey / Getty Images News via Getty Images
16. Utah
> Hate groups in 2022: 5.4 per million people (18 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #49 most, with 0.6 per million people (2 total)
> Population: 3,337,975
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (16), White Nationalist (1)
> State demographic makeup: 76.0% white; 1.0% Black; 8.3% foreign born
Source: Stephanie Keith / Getty Images News via Getty Images
15. Alaska
> Hate groups in 2022: 5.5 per million people (4 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #45 most, with 1.4 per million people (1 total)
> Population: 732,673
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (3), Neo-Völkisch (1)
> State demographic makeup: 57.9% white; 2.9% Black; 8.1% foreign born
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Source: Nathan Howard / Getty Images News via Getty Images
14. Hawaii
> Hate groups in 2022: 5.5 per million people (8 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #18 most, with 2.8 per million people (4 total)
> Population: 1,441,553
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (6), Neo-Nazi (1), > State demographic makeup: 20.8% white; 1.8% Black; 18.8% foreign born
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Source: Nathan Howard / Getty Images News via Getty Images
13. Pennsylvania
> Hate groups in 2022: 5.6 per million people (72 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #29 most, with 2.3 per million people (30 total)
> Population: 12,964,056
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (51), White Nationalist (7), Neo-Nazi (3)
> State demographic makeup: 73.6% white; 10.2% Black; 7.2% foreign born
Source: jbentley09 / iStock via Getty Images
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12. Oregon
> Hate groups in 2022: 5.7 per million people (24 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #27 most, with 2.4 per million people (10 total)
> Population: 4,246,155
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (14), General Hate (4), White Nationalist (3)
> State demographic makeup: 72.0% white; 1.8% Black; 9.7% foreign born
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Source: 101561334@N08 / Flickr
Charleston, South Carolina, USA in the French Quarter.
11. South Carolina
> Hate groups in 2022: 5.8 per million people (30 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #9 most, with 3.3 per million people (17 total)
> Population: 5,190,705
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (18), White Nationalist (5), Neo-Völkisch (2)
> State demographic makeup: 62.6% white; 24.9% Black; 5.2% foreign born
Source: Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images News via Getty Images
10. Nebraska
> Hate groups in 2022: 6.1 per million people (12 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #1 most, with 4.6 per million people (9 total)
> Population: 1,963,692
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (4), Neo-Nazi (3), White Nationalist (1)
> State demographic makeup: 76.4% white; 4.6% Black; 7.4% foreign born
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
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9. Rhode Island
> Hate groups in 2022: 6.4 per million people (7 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #20 most, with 2.7 per million people (3 total)
> Population: 1,095,610
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (4), White Nationalist (1)
> State demographic makeup: 68.9% white; 4.5% Black; 14.5% foreign born
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Source: Andrew Lichtenstein / Corbis News via Getty Images
8. Maine
> Hate groups in 2022: 6.6 per million people (9 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #16 most, with 2.9 per million people (4 total)
> Population: 1,372,247
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (4), White Nationalist (2), Neo-Völkisch (1)
> State demographic makeup: 90.0% white; 1.5% Black; 4.1% foreign born
Source: Stephanie Keith / Getty Images News via Getty Images
7. Delaware
> Hate groups in 2022: 7 per million people (7 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #5 most, with 4.0 per million people (4 total)
> Population: 1,003,384
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (5), White Nationalist (1)
> State demographic makeup: 59.3% white; 20.5% Black; 10.1% foreign born
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Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
6. South Dakota
> Hate groups in 2022: 8.9 per million people (8 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #2 most, with 4.5 per million people (4 total)
> Population: 895,376
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (4), White Nationalist (2), Neo-Nazi (1)
> State demographic makeup: 80.0% white; 1.9% Black; 3.5% foreign born
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
5. North Dakota
> Hate groups in 2022: 10.3 per million people (8 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #23 most, with 2.6 per million people (2 total)
> Population: 774,948
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (3), Neo-Völkisch (2), White Nationalist (1)
> State demographic makeup: 82.3% white; 2.9% Black; 4.4% foreign born
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
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4. New Hampshire
> Hate groups in 2022: 10.8 per million people (15 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #3 most, with 4.3 per million people (6 total)
> Population: 1,388,992
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (8), White Nationalist (2)
> State demographic makeup: 87.3% white; 1.3% Black; 5.9% foreign born
Source: Anthony Crider / Wikimedia Commons
3. Montana
> Hate groups in 2022: 10.9 per million people (12 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #6 most, with 3.6 per million people (4 total)
> Population: 1,104,271
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (6), White Nationalist (2)
> State demographic makeup: 83.8% white; 0.5% Black; 2.2% foreign born
Source: vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
2. Idaho
> Hate groups in 2022: 11 per million people (21 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #11 most, with 3.2 per million people (6 total)
> Population: 1,900,923
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (12), General Hate (2), Neo-Völkisch (1)
> State demographic makeup: 78.7% white; 0.7% Black; 6.1% foreign born
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
1. Wyoming
> Hate groups in 2022: 15.5 per million people (9 total)
> Hate groups in 2021: #7 most, with 3.5 per million people (2 total)
> Population: 578,803
> Most common ideologies: Anti Government Movement (6), White Nationalist (1)
> State demographic makeup: 81.5% white; 1.0% Black; 3.4% foreign born
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