[108208] in Cypherpunks
Freeh testimony last week on militias, common law courts
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Declan McCullagh)
Mon Feb 8 22:36:09 1999
Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 22:26:28 -0500
To: cypherpunks@cyberpass.net
From: Declan McCullagh <declan@well.com>
Reply-To: Declan McCullagh <declan@well.com>
Before a Senate appropriations subcommittee...
The American militia movement has grown over the last decade. Factors
contributing to growth include:
- GUNS- The right to bear arms is an issue which almost all militia members
agree and most militia members believe a conspiracy exists to take away their
guns. The national system of instant background checks for all gun buyers,
mandated by the 1993 Brady Act and which actually was implemented on November
30, 1998, has further angered many militia groups. These militia members see
this new law as another example of how the government is conspiring to take
away
their guns. The banning of semiautomatic assault weapons has also angered many
militia members. - STATE LAWS- Militias resent state laws forbidding them to
gather together to fire weapons. Sixteen states have laws which prohibit all
militia groups and 17 states have laws which prohibit all paramilitary
training.
- MISTRUST OF FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT- is frequently mentioned in militia
literature and overall militia mythology. FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco
and
Firearms (ATF) actions, such as Ruby Ridge, the Branch Davidians, and the
Freeman standoff, are cited, and thus are hated and distrusted by many militia
members.
- TAXES- Militia members believe that they pay too many taxes and that those
tax
dollars are wasted by a huge, uncaring and inefficient bureaucracy in
Washington, D.C. Since the Internal Revenue Service collects federal taxes, it
is widely hated by militia members.
- THE UNITED NATIONS - is perceived as an organization bent on taking over the
world and destroying American democracy and establishing "the New World
Order."
The New World Order theory holds that, one day, the United Nations will lead a
military coup against the nations of the world to form a one-world government.
United Nations troops, consisting of foreign armies, will commence a military
takeover of America. The United Nations will mainly use foreign troops on
American soil because foreigners will have fewer reservations about killing
American citizens. Captured United States military bases will be used to help
conquer the rest of the world.
Most of the militia movement has no racial overtones and does not espouse
bigotry; there are some black and Jewish militia members. However, the
pseudo-religion of Christian Identity, as well as other hate philosophies,
have
begun to creep into the militia movement. This scenario is currently being
played out in the Michigan Militia, arguably the largest militia group in
America. Lynn Van Huizen, leader of the Michigan Militia Corps, is currently
trying to oust Christian Identity factions from his group. Christian Identity
is
a belief system that provides both a religious base for racism and anti-
Semitism, and an ideological rationale for violence against minorities. This
pattern of racist elements seeping into the militia movement is a disturbing
trend, as it will only strengthen the radical elements of the militias.
Many white supremacist groups adhere to the Christian Identity belief system,
which holds that the world is on the verge of a final apocalyptic straggle
between God/Christ and Satan (The Battle of Armageddon) in which Aryans
(European Caucasians) must fight Satan's heirs: Jews, nonwhites and their
establishment allies (i.e., the Federal Government). The Christian Identity
belief system (also known as Kingdom Identity) provides a religious base for
racism and anti- Semitism, and an ideological rationale for violence against
minorities and their white allies. Christian Identity teaches that the white
race is the chosen race of God, whites are the "true Israelites" and Jews are
the Children of Satan. Adherents believe that Jews have increasingly gained
control of the United States Federal Government and are attempting to enslave
the white population by enacting laws subjugating the white people, such as
affirmative action, pro-choice, and anti-gun statutes.
To prepare for Armageddon, many Identity adherents engage in survivalist and
paramilitary training, storing foodstuffs and supplies, and caching weapons
and
ammunition. As the next millennium approaches, Identity's more extreme members
may take action to prepare for Armageddon, including armed robbery to finance
the upcoming battle, destroying government property and infrastructure, and
targeting Jews and nonwhites.
Due to Christian Identity adherents' widespread propaganda efforts and
Identity's racist/anti-Semitic/anti-government appeal, there are a number of
churches and diverse organizations throughout the United States that embrace
the
doctrines of Identity. Identity beliefs are also increasingly found in the
rhetoric of all types of right-wing extremist groups, including, but not
limited
to, militias, survivalist communes, the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis, skinheads,
tax
protesters, and common law courts. Thus, with the approaching millennium,
there
is a greater potential for members from such Identity influenced groups to
engage in violent activities as well.
As the next millennium approaches, violent and illegal acts may increase, due
to
Christian Identity's belief that the world is on the verge of a final
apocalyptic struggle (aka The Battle of Armageddon) between God/Christ and
Satan. Identity members believe that this entails Aryans (European Caucasians)
fighting Satan's heirs (Jews, non-whites, and their establishment allies). To
prepare, Identity adherents engage in survivalist and paramilitary
training. As
the year 2000 approaches, more extreme members may take action to prepare for
or
bring about "Armageddon," including armed robbery to finance the upcoming
battle, destroying government property and targeting Jews and non-whites.
Other Anti-Government Groups. The other fight-wing anti-government groups
include Freemen, "sovereign" citizens, and common law courts. The Freemen and
sovereign citizens believe they have the right to renounce their citizenship,
after which they do not have to comply with any laws or rules and the federal
government would have no influence over them. In addition, some, like the
Freemen, believe they have the right to issue their own money which is called
"certified comptroller warrants."
Some members of the right-wing have formed their own system of laws to enforce
and follow (called common law courts) to replace the existing court system.
The
common law courts have no basis in jurisprudence, but participants claim
legitimacy based on the laws of the Old Testament, English common law, the
Magna
Carta and commercial law. Some common law courts have issued arrest warrants,
but as of yet, there are no reports that any of these arrests have been
accomplished.
