WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Captain America #27, by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Leonard Kirk, Matt Milla and VC's Joe Caramagna, on sale now.

The X-Men have been targeted by several anti-mutant groups over the years. Organizations such as the Purifiers tend to go after mutants simply for existing, but one anti-mutant group that gained prominence on X-Men: The Animated Series, just switched targets from the X-Men to Captain America.

Steve Rogers became a scapegoat for several hate groups in Captain America #27, by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Leonard Kirk. Sharon Carter encourages Steve to go undercover with her at an anti-Captain America rally t0 they can find a lead on the Red Skull. Once there, Captain America finds a whole crowd of hate groups, from the Red Skulls to the Watchdogs and the Sons of Selene.

However, one particular organization sticks out among the rest: the Friends of Humanity. This group went after mutantkind for years, but Sharon notes that they've apparently "gotten bored" attacking mutants. Steve responds that Krakoa's influence has probably stopped the Friends of Humanity from their usual fight against mutantkind.

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Captain America Friends of Humanity

Long before Krakoa, the Friends of Humanity first appeared in 1992's Uncanny X-Men #291, by Scott Lobdell and Tom Raney. This brief introduction saw the Friends of Humanity abducting Steven Lang, another opponent of mutantkind, so he could be assimilated with the Phalanx later on. In Uncanny X-Men #299, by Lodbell and Brandon Peterson, the Friends of Humanity introduced their leader, Graydon Creed.

The organization rallied against mutants, claiming to stand for the rights of "normal" humans everywhere. Often, the Friends of Humanity took extreme action, abducting mutants like Rusty and Skids in X-Force #24, by Fabian Nicieza and Greg Capullo. The Friends of Humanity reasoned that mutants had to pay for their "crimes" against humanity, while humans had to defend themselves against their alleged oppressors.

The Friends of Humanity occasionally went after non-mutants, as well, such as Spider-Man. In Peter Parker: Spider-Man #82, by Howard Mackie and John Romita Jr., the Friends of Humanity mistook the web-slinger for a mutant and began attacking him.

Creed, the son of Sabretooth and Mystique, went on to launch a presidential bid based on the Friends of Humanity's platform. However, that came to an end when his mother assassinated him. After Creed was assassinated, the Friends of Humanity produced several off-shoots, such as Humanity's Last Stand. This organization formed a new Mutant Liberation Front, in Punisher #12, by Jon Ostrander and Tom Lyle. The Mutant Liberation Front was comprised of humans who posed as mutants to discredit mutantkind. Several religious fundamentalists formed the Church of Humanity in Uncanny X-Men #395, by Joe Casey, Chuck Austen and Ian Churchill.

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X-MEN - Friends of Humanity

Viewing the Friends of Humanity's core belief system, it makes some sense that the group is currently targeting Captain America. For one thing, the Friends of Humanity believe in standing up for the "common man." Captain America's recent actions, which have been re-framed by the Red Skull, make it appear that he's acting against "common" values such as liberty and law and order. Just as they targeted mutants for attacking human values, so do the Friends of Humanity hound Captain America for "betraying" their beliefs.

Steve also stated that Krakoa's influence has likely averted the Friends of Humanity from targeting mutants. With their own sovereign nation and several powerful organizations at their disposal, mutants are a serious force to be reckoned with.

While Krakoa's presence doesn't likely change their underlying beliefs about mutants, the Friends of Humanity aren't capable of standing up to the rising tide of mutantkind. Additionally, Krakoa is detached from human society, sp the Friends of Humanity may simply not have an interest in targets who are so far away from their daily lives.

Groups like the Friends of Humanity are always looking for a scapegoat, and Captain America's recent actions make him a perfect target for their hateful campaigns.

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