>> this is the right approach, going to the school board meetings, going out to protests. >> reporter: groups like the proud boys responding taking to the streets of towns in long island and north carolina to protest public health measures. >> extremist groups have always seen the culture war as a place that has enough anger and division already that it can be fruitful for them. >> reporter: are we in a better place now than we were on january 5th of last year? >> i do think there have been some reassuring signs, but the undercurrents and the conditions that, you know, led to january 6th, this popularization of conspiracy theories, of extreme sentiments and ideologies is maybe more pernicious than it was last year. >> reporter: and with the focus off the nation's capitol for now, the impact of that extremism can be felt anywhere. >> and brandy joins us now. brandy, what have these groups learned since january 6th in terms of their strategies?