I think they're quite clearly a fringe element.

The party fought in the 1988 federal election, but was never considered more than a fringe element, and none of its 72 candidates won election.

I can't believe you're bothering with such a minuscule, fringe element that has no resonance with this populace.

It was widely accepted up until the 1990s, when behavioral finance economists, who had been a fringe element, became mainstream.

The symbolism, though, of such civility and sincere openness to dialogue would help to undercut the inflammatory rantings of fringe elements who purport to speak for their faiths.