A new report has found the number of hate groups in the United States is continuing to rise. The Southern Poverty Law Center found the number of groups organized against a particular racial, religious or other characteristic increased to 1,018 last year — up from 602 in the year 2000. The group also found a dramatic rise in the number of anti-government, patriot or militia groups. The growth of hate groups and anti-government organizations was attributed to a range of factors, including antagonism toward President Obama and the economic gulf between rich and poor.