The militia movement in the US has deep and strong roots. The War of Independence began when a detachment of militiamen resisted a regular British unit, and since then militia formations have been shrouded in the glory of those legendary times. In the US to this day, many are ready to take up arms at the first call to fight against tyranny. True, the emphasis has shifted somewhat over two hundred and fifty years.
Born from the Bunker
Until the 1970s, Americans lived under the fear of nuclear threat. Any day they expected a Soviet strike, and in the politically concerned part of society there was an atmosphere of permanent hysteria. People seriously prepared for nuclear winter: they dug bomb shelters and stockpiled food, hoping to survive World War III. But détente came. Moscow and Washington signed a treaty on the limitation of nuclear arms. The threat of war receded, bomb shelters turned out to be unnecessary.
Those who dug them found themselves a new enemy. In 1973, the oil crisis broke out, and many decided that now America was definitely finished. The famous Mormon TV host Howard Ruff published the book 'Famine and Survival in America', which immediately became a bestseller. Ruff found followers who enthusiastically began preparing for the end times. The most experienced, whose hands longed for a shovel, set up bunkers in the forests, while the rest simply learned to survive in extreme conditions.
Every survivalist, or 'выживальщик' in Russian, had a rifle with a supply of cartridges at home (many had more than one), as well as a clear action plan. The first thing was to get out of the city engulfed in chaos, where human life is worth nothing, and then act according to circumstances. Basically, the following scenario was assumed: lock yourself in a bunker with your family and shoot at those wanting to get scarce canned goods, until the wave of violence subsides or the ammunition runs out.
Although you can survive alone, it's more fun together, and the chances of survival are greater. Survivalists formed groups, and the ideology of survival was replaced by the ideology of defending their rights. Thus the civilian militia was born.
True Sons of Israel
The civilian militia movement that grew out of survivalism differs significantly from it. The backbone of the movement is hundreds of combat units ready, if necessary, to defend civil rights and freedoms with arms in hand. In some places they work hand in hand with the police—especially when it comes to catching unwanted migrants, fugitive criminals, or helping maintain public order. But there are also dozens or even hundreds of illegal groups.
The first swallow was the Posse Comitatus, or PC for short, consisting of former survivalists—an ultra-right organization with anti-government and anti-Semitic ideas. Group members believed they were the true sons of Israel chosen by God. They saw the main threat in Jews, whom they considered minions of Satan ready to destroy civilization and aiming to enslave free Americans using the Federal Reserve and the US Tax Service. Among the founding fathers of the organization are American Nazis, Hitler admirers, members of the 'Silver Shirts' movement, and simply 'concerned citizens'.
PC members advocated for public control over the authorities. For example, sheriffs who refuse to act in the interests of citizens and obey the Zionist world government, as well as its henchmen in Washington, were proposed to be lynched. And this was not an empty threat: in February 1983, former PC member Gordon Kahl shot two police officers and was killed while trying to evade capture.
Awaiting UN Troops
It was Posse Comitatus that laid the foundations of the ideology of the American militia movement. Despite all differences, there is a certain set of principles that all militiamen adhere to. Traditionally, they hold right-wing views and vote for Republicans. From the perspective of radical groups, tyrants sit in Washington, taxing citizens and trying to limit their freedoms.
Many militiamen oppose US membership in international organizations, including the UN and NAFTA, through which the world government allegedly tries to put the US economy at the service of British and Mexican capital. The militiamen seek to resist tyrannical power, the influence of leftist globalists who have organized a conspiracy to subjugate the United States to the world Jewish government and establish a new world order. At any moment, US troops may be invaded by UN forces, Chinese, or Mexicans, after which all dissenters will be placed in secret concentration camps.
To prevent patriots from resisting the invasion forces, the government is trying to restrict the right to bear arms. Therefore, one of the cornerstones of American militia ideology is the Second Amendment to the US Constitution. Every ideology needs its martyrs, and they were not long in coming.
The Ashes of Mount Carmel
In 1992, the United States was shaken by the tragedy at Ruby Ridge, Idaho. The Weaver family, living in anticipation of the imminent end of the world, attracted the attention of the intelligence services due to their contacts with radical racist groups. When attempting to bring in the father of the family, Randy Weaver, resistance was met, resulting in the deaths of his wife Vicki and son Sam, as well as a police officer. Subsequently, the court ruled that the use of force was excessive, and the elder Weaver was acquitted on almost all charges.
The following year, the FBI and National Guard besieged the 'Mount Carmel' ranch in Waco—the base of the 'Branch Davidian' sect. After seven weeks, the ranch was stormed with the use of armored vehicles and helicopters. 82 sect members died, including more than 20 children, as well as four law enforcement officers. Authorities claim the fire was set by the sectarians themselves; surviving members of the 'Branch Davidians' say the fire started due to the actions of the attackers.
Soon retribution followed: in 1995, a bomb-laden car exploded near the federal building in Oklahoma City. 168 people died, including 19 children, and over 680 were wounded. The attack was carried out by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols – staunch far-right activists. As they explained at trial, the bombing was revenge for Ruby Ridge and the Waco siege at Mount Carmel.
Analyzing McVeigh's connections, police found his contacts with survivalists and citizen militia organizations. Newspapers even reported that he was a member of the Michigan Militia. However, it soon turned out that McVeigh acted on his own, did not belong to the militia, and most militia members condemned the terrorist's methods, who instead of targeting specific officials carried out a bombing that killed innocents.
Many of McVeigh's supporters claimed he was framed specifically to push through a tough anti-terrorism law. Timothy McVeigh was executed on June 11, 2001. He was not the only one seeking revenge for the Weavers and the Branch Davidians. In 1996, for example, the group "Sons of Gestapo" derailed a train in Arizona: one person died and 78 were injured.
Warriors of Christ
After the incidents of the 1990s, the FBI revised its stance on militias. All active groups were divided into four categories – from moderate to radical, which were classified as domestic terrorists. A crisis also emerged among the militiamen themselves: the expected end of the world in 2000 did not happen, the Chinese, Mexicans, and UN troops did not invade the US. Moreover, "cowboy" Bush came to power, who unhesitatingly used force against "bad guys".
Although the 2000s saw a decline in the militia movement, it was then that one of the most famous groups emerged – Hutaree, formed in 2006. Members of this organization call themselves "Warriors of Christ" and prepare for a battle with the Antichrist, who at one time was suspected to be NATO Secretary General Javier Solana. The group has its own emblem – a sword, crossed spears, and the letters CCR – Colonial Christian Republic. They even have unique military ranks: radok, boramander, zulif, arcon, lucor. After the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the arrival of a Democratic president, who was also black, the group became trendy.
In 2010, nine people from Hutaree were arrested in Ohio and Indiana. They were suspected of intending to kill as many police officers and civilians as possible – first kill an officer, then detonate a bomb at his funeral. Eventually, they were charged with conspiracy to commit sedition, attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, teaching the manufacture of explosives, and illegal possession of weapons.
The trial turned into a real triumph for the illegal militia – first most of the accused were released from custody even without bail, and ultimately three defendants were placed under supervision for two years. The arrested group members had their property confiscated during the investigation returned, including rifles and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition.
For a Free Montana, for an Unbroken Texas!
The militia not only fights against the Zionists who have seized power in the US and prepares for an invasion by UN forces. There are also marginal separatist movements. One of them was represented by the group "Freemen of Montana", which advocated for the sovereignty of that state and secession from the US. Starting in 1994, the "Montanans" issued counterfeit securities and banknotes, attempting to undermine the country's economy. As a result, dozens of American banks suffered. Simultaneously, the group was engaged in creating its own government, courts, and banks. In 1996, FBI agents surrounded the ranch where the separatists were hiding. The siege lasted 81 days, after which the participants were sentenced to long terms.
The banner of separatism was taken up by the fighters for the freedom of Texas. In 1997, the "Republic of Texas" movement arose. Its adherents claimed that this state was illegally annexed by the US in 1845 and is currently an occupied territory. In the same year, a group of separatists led by "Republic of Texas ambassador to the United States" Richard McLaren took hostages in the city of Fort Davis. FBI SWAT and police surrounded the "Texans'" base and after lengthy negotiations persuaded McLaren and his comrades to surrender. It went without bloodshed. The movement for Texas independence still exists, though it mostly engages in so-called "paper terrorism", flooding courts and agencies with lawsuits against American authorities.
Tea Party with a Militiaman
Militia groups exist in every state. Michigan leads with 13 large legal militia associations, followed by Ohio with eight. How many illegal groups there are is not known for sure.
The Internet provides the opportunity for anyone to create a militia with their own hands: there are many guides and manuals online for preparing for upcoming battles with UN forces or the Antichrist's minions. The main recommendations are as follows: do not reveal your involvement in militia formations in any way; do not forget that the police can become your enemy at any moment; resistance to the new world order should be decentralized, relying on small mobile groups of close friends or relatives – even if FBI agents infiltrate one cell, they cannot paralyze the rest.
On the political front, the militia movement has merged with the "Tea Party movement" – also consisting of activist groups advocating for reducing the role of the state, lowering taxes, and abolishing the Federal Reserve. So far, the capabilities of this alliance have appeared quite modest – its supported candidate Ron Paul twice ended up as an outsider in the Republican caucuses. As long as the US leads in the race for global dominance, the ideas of ultra-conservatives are unlikely to come to fruition.
Alexei KUPRIYANOV.
«Lenta.ru»