For more than 30 years, Emmy-winning journalist, documentary filmmaker, and Al Jazeera America anchor Tony Harris has reported on senseless and vicious acts of violence, many fueled by intolerance, fear and hate. In the new one-hour special HATE IN AMERICA, Harris partners with The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a non-profit that has been tracking hate groups across the country since 1971, and NBC News’ award-winning production arm Peacock Productions, to examine the current realities of intolerance in America. According to the SPLC, more than 900 active hate groups currently exist across the United States, from neo-Nazis to anti-government militias, targeting entire classes of people for their race, religion, and sexuality, among other immutable characteristics. Largely propagated by anger and fear over the nation’s ailing economy and the diminishing white majority, that number has been on the rise for over a decade. Traveling to communities torn apart by violence, Harris pulls back the curtain on what drives modern-day hate, and comes face to face with its victims to examine HATE IN AMERICA, premiering on Monday, February 23 at 8/7c only on Investigation Discovery (ID).

“Tony Harris’ journey across the country in HATE IN AMERICA is a heart-breaking reminder of the hate that still exists in our country today and, in fact, around the world as we learn of the horrors faced in the recent Sydney hostage situation or the Taliban attack on a Pakistani school,” said Henry Schleiff, Group President of Investigation Discovery, Destination America, American Heroes Channel, Discovery Fit & Health, and Discovery Family Channel. “Despite these setbacks in our pursuit for tolerance, Tony’s fervent investigation in HATE IN AMERICA provides a glimmer of hope that there are undeniable signs of progress, people fighting back, and fighting for our future.”

“I remain deeply moved by the willingness of the people I met to share the stories of how their lives have been changed forever by hate and intolerance,” said Harris. “I can’t imagine anyone being unaffected by these powerful testimonials.”

HATE IN AMERICA features the racially charged murder of a black father in Mississippi who died after being beaten and run over; the gruesome mass shooting of a Wisconsin Sikh congregation; and a brutal anti-gay attack on the streets of New York City. As Harris explores the motivations behind hate, he hears from a spectrum of advocates for change, including victims’ loved ones, community leaders, civil rights attorneys, SPLC’s founder Morris Dees, and even a former white supremacist – who now crusades for unity among the races.