On Saturday, more than 200 “Save the Children” events are scheduled to take place across the country, organized by a constellation of individuals and newly formed groups with no connection to the well-known nonprofit organization of the same name. Just below the surface, QAnon connections are evident, highlighting how the conspiracy theory has moved from the internet into town squares of dozens of cities in recent weeks. What was originally a conspiracy theory that centered on an anonymous internet poster has now become something of a catchall for a variety of beliefs about a supposed hidden group of child abusers in positions of power. That's helped create a palatable entry point for many people who might not spend much time in dark parts of the internet but are active on Facebook. |