Sporer speaks to WMTW about radicalization
Karyn Sporer, associate professor of sociology at the University of Maine and researcher for the National Counterterrorism, Innovation, Technology and Education (NCITE) Center, spoke to WMTW-TV (Channel 8 in Portland) about the path to violent extremism in light of a 19-year-old Mainer being accused of attacking an New York police officer on New Year’s Eve. Sporer explained that the process of radicalization is complicated, but common factors can include a person being exposed to propaganda and traumatic life events. “All that together can put someone on trajectory towards violent extremism,” Sporer said.