FEMA has been dealing with conspiracy theorists since shortly after it was created.
In the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton, an outlandish conspiracy theory about the Federal Emergency Management Agency that has percolated for decades started to reappear online. Now, the government agency is making one of its strongest pushes against the claim to date.
In a new section of its hurricane rumor response page published Wednesday, FEMA looked to put to rest the long-lasting conspiracy theory that’s followed it since shortly after the agency was founded. Known as the “FEMA camps” theory, it falsely speculates that the agency sets up camps meant to “detain people.”
On the page, the government agency wrote that it has recently set up temporary housing for staff responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in a few locations in western North Carolina. FEMA added that there are over a thousand FEMA staff in the state and that the lodging, which is protected by security personnel, is for staff and “not for any other purpose.” It called the “FEMA camp” rumors “all false.”
When the federal government shows up to help… for free, suspicion is a valid response. Not to mention that the South has experience being occupied (not for long enough).
But the government putting people in camps for bullshit security reasons? Madness.
When the feds show up to help and try to charge for it is when I’d be suspicious. Also, ain’t no southerners alive got experience being occupied unless they’ve come from some other country.
Black southerners and indigenous southerners have experience being occupied