Militias and "Common • Law Courts" • Wage War— Against tlie Government

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"cation ofth e Ant.-Defamafon League ^^^Anti-DetamatioAnti-Detamationleaguleagu ee ®

David H. Strassler, National Chair

Abraham H. Foxman, National Director

Howard P. Berkowitz,Chair, National Executive Committee

Peter T. Willner, Chief Operating Officer

Kenneth Jacobson, Assistant National Director

Robert G. Sugarman, Chair, National Civil RightsCommittee

Gail L. Gans, Acting Director, Fact Finding Department

This report has been made possible through a generous grant from the William and Naomi Gorowitz Institute on Terrorism and Extremism

Copies of this report are in the Rita and Leo Greenland Human Relations Library and Resource Center

This publication was prepared by: Lori Linzer, Assistant Director, Fact Finding Department David Rosenberg, Assistant Director, Fact Finding Department Designed by: Jan Phair

®199 7 Anti-DefamationLeagu e Printed in the UnitedState so f America All rightsreserve d Table of Contents

Executive Summary ii

Introduction 1

"Crossovers" 4

Criminal Activity 10

The Violent Fringe 19

Conspiracy Theories: The Bedrock of Militia Belief 22

Anti-Semitism and Racism 25

Political Involvement 30

The Internet 33

Preparedness Expos 38

STATE-by-STATE

Western States 39

Northeastern States 43

Midwestern States 45

Southern States 48

APPENDIX A

ADL Model Anti-Paramilitary Statute 53

APPENDIX B

ADL Model Anti-"Common Law Courts" Statute 54

INDEX 55 Executive Summary

Introduction

I. AnAD L survey oftoday' s anti-government extremists finds that armed miUtias, although fewer in number, continue to pose a significant threat ofviolenc e and disorder. Rumorso f secretive miHtias abound but, not surprisingly,supportin g evidence is scant. What is clear is that many mihtias now dodge the watchful eyes ofth e policean d the pressb y holdingsmall , unadvertised meetings in private homes and by no longer publicly identifyingthemselve s as militias.

II. Militias have expanded in five states, remained relativelystabl e in about 20 states and de­ clined elsewhere. Buta t the same time, the "commonla wcourt " movement, which seeks to replace our legal system with one ofvigilant ejustice , is flourishing; many militiamenan d their supporters are becoming involved in its pseudo-legal activities.

"Common Law Courts"

III. The "commonla w court" activists' tactic ofchoic e is to defy the legitimate institutionso f government, especiallythei r judicial and law enforcement arms, by replacingthe m with a parallel structure ofthei r own creation. These pseudo-jurists render unenforceable judg­ ments regarding genuine legal disputes and issue phony legal documents including property liens and criminal indictments, in an effort to intimidate or defraud their enemies.

IV. "Commonla w court" adherents use outlandish versions ofAmerica n history and bizarre conspiracy theories tojustif y their activities.Man y groups promote anti-Semiticviews ,in ­ cluding the notorious fraud that Jewishbankin g familiesow n the Federal Reserve.

MilitiaViolenc e

V. while militias have stagnated over the last 18months , some ofthei r members have been involved in scores ofcrimina l acts. They have acquired illegal ammunition andbomb-makin g materials, planned or committed criminal acts ofviolenc e against Federalbuilding so r offi­ cials, and engaged inbitter , even deadly, confrontations with police officers. Their decreased numbers can largelyb e credited to stepped-up vigilance by law enforcement officials.

VI. The proclivity toward violence ofth e hard-core anti-government extremists remains firm­ ly in place. Thiswa s recently demonstrated by the terrorist acts oftw o smallband s ofracist , anti-government, would-be revolutionaries. Theirbran d ofextremis t violence should cause concernbecaus e many militiasar e reportedly adopting their tactic of"leaderles s resistance." ossovers"

VII. Ever-increasing cross-fertilization between various strands ofth e anti-government extremist movement has begun toblu r the differences that previouslyexiste dbetwee n them. Many activistshav e joinedbot h militia and "commonla w court" groups, breaking down the boundaries altogether The Republic ofTfexas , a San Antonio-basedgrou p that considers itself to be the true LoneSta r State, represents the most comprehensive form ofthi s "crossover" trend.

VIII. The growingtendenc y ofanti-governmen t extremists tobroade n their activitiesan d affiliations will likely result in a stronger, more effective overall movement.

IX. Severalpublication sappealin g to broad swatches ofth e movement serve as abridg e between different anti-government extremist groups by familiarizing extremists with the views and tactics ofthei r fellow activists. It is also common for literature issuedb y one seg­ ment ofth e movement to surface, orb e used as recruitingtools , among members of another faction. mina lActivit y

X. Right-wing anti-government extremists often view law enforcement agents as the foot sol­ diers in a Federal plot to impose tyranny. They refuse to recognize their authority, and reject any laws they deem tob e intrusive.Thei rdefian t stance has ledt o heated — andoccasional ­ ly deadly — encounters with authorities on the local, state and Federal level.

XI. The anti-government militancy ofth e so-calledMontan a"Freemen " has inspiredlike - minded activistsi n at least 23state s to file bogus liens,pas sphon y checks, set up "common law courts" and deny the very legitimacyo fth e U.S. Government. Other anti-government extremists, unconnected to the Freemen, have also committed similar acts offrau d against private citizensan d government institutions. cism andAnti-Semitis m

XII. Anti-Semites and racists have found a comfortable home in segments ofth e anti-govern­ ment extremist movement. Much ofth e movement's activityi s directedb y groups that pro­ mote anti-Semitisman d racism in additiont o their more visible agitation against the govern­ ment. Propaganda materials passed around at meetings, conventions, gun shows and over the Internet assert that Jews or Jewishinstitution s are co-conspirators in the "New World Order," while classicanti-Semiti c literature ishawke d at militia and "commonla w courf'-oriented events.

XIII. Ideas associated with the pseudo-religious, racist and anti-JewishChristia n Identity doc­ trine permeate many "commonla w court" documents and propaganda materials. Inaddition , a number ofth e MontanaFreeme n hold Christian Identitybeliefs . n XIV. While many anti-government extremists reject the blatant hatred espoused by neo-Nazi groups or the KuKlu x Klan, the movement allowsmor e subtle bigots to use Jews, Blacks and other minoritiesa s scapegoats for the nation's problems, both real andimagined .

Conspiracies

XV. Militia and "commonla w court" ideologues insist that gun controllegislatio n— especial­ ly the Brady Lawan d restrictions on assault weapons — are major components ofa secret and evil government conspiracyt o disarm and controlth e American people. They see an evil Federal Government working inleagu e with the United Nationst o strip Americans of their constitutionalright s and impose a tyrannical "New World Order"

Preparedness Expos

XVI. Anti-governmentextremist s attempt to recruit sympathizers at gatherings called "Pre­ paredness Expos." These shows primarily feature materials and paraphernalia related to sur- vivalism, but many seminars and speeches presented at the expos are devoted to extremist politics and conspiracytheories . Recent expos featured Christian Identity literature and anti- Semitic tractsb y hatemonger Eustace MuUins.

Internet

XVII. The Internet is a potent new additiont o the anti-government extremists' arsenal. This worldwide computer network is a very useful tool for pumping out propaganda, facilitating rapid, confidentialcommunicatio namon g members and sympathizers while creating a "virtu­ al" communityo flike-minde d believers scattered around the country. Militias, "common law court" groups and their supporters run dozens ofsite s on the World Wide Web. Some militia or militia-oriented sites eagerly embrace racisman danti-Semitism .

PoliticalActivit y

XVIII. Some anti-government extremists have been tryingt o acquire a mainstream image and political influence. Theireffort s have been rewarded by several elected officials, who have conferred undue legitimacy upon the movement by expressing sympathy for the extremists' anti-government message, orb y participatingi n militia or Christian Identity-oriented forums. Introduction

A new ADL survey oftoday' s anti-government choice ofthes e pseudo-jurists is to defy the extremists finds that armed militias, although legitimate institutions ofgovernment , especial­ fewer in number, continue to pose a significant ly their judicial and law enforcement arms, by threat ofviolenc e and disorder Rumorso f replacing them with a parallelstructur e of secretive, underground militiasabound , but, their own creation. Operating inbogu s courts, not surprisingly, supporting evidence is scant. they render unenforceable judgments regard­ What is clear is that movement leaders are ing disputes that the complainants have al­ advising activists to lie low,lear n to use weap­ ready lost or would likely have lost in a gen­ ons at a firearms course rather than at a militia uine courtroom. "Common law"activist s also gathering, and keep their anti-government issue phony legal documents includingproper ­ thoughts to themselves. Many militiasno w ty liens, criminal indictments and declarations dodge the watchful eyes ofth e poUce and the of "sovereignty" in an effort to intimidate or pressb y holdingsmall , unadvertised meetings defraud their enemies. These reams of nonsen­ in private homes, and by no longer publicly sical paperwork feature pseudo-legal formula­ identifying themselves as militias. tions they claim are based on precepts from the Bible, the In the wake of Magna Carta, the the April 1995 Constitution and Oklahoma City Many militiamen and theirsupporters other sources. bombing it arejoining thefast-growing ^'common seemed possible Like their coun­ that there would law court" movement, which seeks to terparts in the be a massive replace our country's legal system with militias, "com­ mushroomingo f one of vigilantejustice. mon law court" armed militias, adherents use but the evidence outlandish ver­ available indicates that the groups have sions ofAmerica n history and bizarre conspira­ expanded in only five states, remained relative­ cy theories tojustif y their activities.The y ly stable in about 20states , and declined else­ claim, for example, that the Federal Govern­ where. Atth e same time, an ADL survey ment suspended the Constitutioni n 1933an d reveals that many militiamenan d their sup­ that alllaw s passed since then are invalid. porters are joining the fast-growing "common They declare themselves "sovereigncitizens, " law court" movement, which seeks to replace answerable only to Godan d immune from our country's legal system with one of vigi­ state or Federaljurisdiction . Some offer a racist lante justice. "Commonla w courts" function in twist to this formulation, arguing that there are defiance ofth e authority ofrea l courts, and two classes ofcitizens : "Sovereign"whit e citi­ have staged phony trials and issued bogus legal zens, whose rights are God-given, and "Four­ documents in 35 states across the country. teenth Amendment" citizens, non-whites whose citizenshipi s granted onlyb y the Four­ The "common law courts," in contrast to the teenth Amendment. Other groups promote a militias, have more publicly agitated against variety ofanti-Semiti c views, includingth e state and Federal governments. The tactico f notorious fraud that Jewishbankin g families own the Federal Reserve. Some ofth e move­ Scores ofmilitiame n have been arrested for ment's propaganda reflects the influence of the crimes ranging from conspiracyt o bomb anti-Semitic pseudo-religious Christian Identity Federal buildings, to hoarding or manufactur­ church. ing illegal weapons, to assaulting a police offi­ cer The current stagnation ofth e movement The tactics of"commo nla w courts" are played can largelyb e credited to increasedvigilanc e out to their fullest by members ofth eRepubli c by law enforcement officials. of Ibxas (RoT), which claimstha t it, rather than the official state ofTfexas , constitutes the While they have been crackingdow n on the true LoneSta r government. TheRepublic' s illegal activitieso fanti-governmen t extremists. activities are decided upon by a "President," Federal and state law enforcement officials "Secretary ofState, " "Secretary ofDefense " and have also demonstrated that they learned from a "Chief Ambassador." The "Republic's" two the mistakes made at Waco and Ruby Ridge. In "common law courts" hand downphon ylega l recent faceoffs with armed anti-government rulings and issue fraudulent legal documents. extremists, the Federal Bureau ofInvestiga ­ Leaders ofth e RoTsa y they want to take over tion, Bureau ofAlcohol , TDbacco and Firearms the state'sbankin gsyste m and replace Tbxas's and state policeagencie s have acted with pa­ 254 county sheriffs with "officers"o fthei r own. tient resolve to prevent violent confrontations. In the process, RoT members have filed thou­ The Federal Government and Congress have sands ofbogu s liens against publicofficial s and also demonstrated their willingness to correct private citizens, creating a nightmare of paper­ any injustices that occurred in connection with work for the Ifexas legal system. the events at Waco and Ruby Ridge.Thei r efforts put the liet o one ofth e militias' chief Fortunately, government officials and state leg­ rallying cries — that those two tragedies are islators are now working to prevent these out­ evidence ofth e government's plans to impose breaks of"pape r terrorism"b y enactinglaw s a tyrannical "New World Order" that address "commonla w court"activity . As many as 11state s have considered such legislation. The Anti-Defamation League is doingit s part: in 1996, the Fonunately, govemment officicds and ADL Legal Affairs Department drafted state legislators are now working to and widely distributed a Model Statute for introductionint o state leg­ prevent these outbreaks of ^'paper ter­ islatures intended to counteract the rorism" hy enacting laws that address "common law courts'" destructive ^'common law couH" activity. activities. ADL played a role in mold- ing the bills now working their way through the Tfexas and NewJerse y legislatures. Nevertheless, the anti-government extremism of the hard-core militias — fueled by abelie f in Militias may not have growni n size over the outrageous conspiracytheorie s —remain s last 18months , but many existingmembers , as firmly in place. Only recently the publicwit ­ well as other anti-government extremists, have nessed the terror caused by two small bandso f been involved inhundred s ofcrimina l acts. racist, anti-government, would-berevolutionar - ies. Tliese men, accused of — and in one in­ As this report reveals, anti-government extrem­ stance, convictedo f — committingscore s of ists continue to infect the American body banlc robberies and severalbombing si n politic. Disguised as "patriots" committed to Spolcane, Washington,an d across the Midwest, the ideals ofth e FoundingFathers , these militi­ occupy the violentoute r fringes ofth e move­ amen and "commonla w court" pseudo-jurists ment. Butthei r brand ofextremis t violence mock the democratic process and the citizens should cause concernbecaus e many militias who abide by its rules. Theirwa ylead s not to are reportedly adopting their tactic of "leader­ an orderly change ingovernment , but to anar­ less resistance," a strategy advising anti-govern­ chy and mob rule. ment militants to avoid law enforcement detec­ tion by operating in tiny phantom cells. "Crossovers"

The right-wing anti-government extremist broadening their arsenal of anti-government movement is not monolithic; various factions weapons. The current trend also threatens to traditionally express their oppositiont o govern­ expose more members ofth e movement to ment in different ways. Militia activists typical­ anti-Semitic and racistbeliefs . Many militias ly stockpileweapon s and conductparamilitar y have claimedt o keep bigotry out ofthei r ranks exercises in preparation for an eventual show­ and may continue to do so. Butthei r members down with Federal officials. Memberso f"com ­ are becomingincreasingl yactiv ebeyon d the mon law courts" oppose the government and confines ofth e militia and are associating with its lawsb y operating a parallellega l system in other groups where anti-Semitismi s more which they conduct phony trials or issue bogus prevalent, like some "commonla w courts." legal documents. The MontanaFreeme n and their associates across the country have print­ ed and distributed thousands offak e money orders and checks in an effort to defraud gov­ Militias and "Common Law ernment agencies and undermine the coun­ Courts" Converge try's banking system.

The "commonla w court"-inspiredpractic eo f But ever-increasing cross-fertilization between filing bogus property liens has become popular the groups has begun to blur these tactical dif­ among militiamen and other anti-government ferences and emphasize the oppositiont ogov ­ extremists. The practice has been labeled"pa ­ ernment that is commont o the ideology of per terrorism"b y legalauthorities , who have every segment ofth e movement. In the past witnessed the phony documents clogging the year, anti-government extremists devoted to courts and draininggovernmen t resources. It is one area ofth e movement have begun to favored by many extremists because they view familiarize themselves with the tactics of other it as a risk-free method ofpunishin g their ene- factions. Many activistshav e broken down the . mies — generally court officials, lawyers, politi­ boundaries altogether, byjoinin g both militia cians or police. Countyclerk sar e often unable and "commonla w court" groups. These dual- to determine the veracity ofa property lien, memberships are relativelywidespread . It is and the laws in most states provide no crimi­ estimated that in some parts ofth e country, as nal penalties for filing bogus liens.Th e proper­ many as half of"commo nla w court" members ty owner, on the other hand, has to endure alsobelon gt o a militia. This trend, facilitated numerous legalan d financial headaches. by today's technologicaladvance s in communi­ cation, is likely to persist. In Ohio, several members ofth eColumbian a County UnorganizedMiliti a have filed liens The growingtendenc y among anti-government against publicofficials . One member, Randall extremists-to diversify their activitiesan d affili­ Manley, issued liens against a dozen Colum­ ations should sound several alarmbells .A biana Countyofficial s whom he heldresponsi ­ prime concern istha t the many alliancesbein g ble for his earlier conviction on drug charges. formed between activists are likely to energize County clerkshav e said they feelintimidate d and strengthen the movement and make it by the militia members who visit their offices more dangerous. In addition, extremists are to file such papers. They do not post their becoming more powerfulbecaus e they are names onthei r desks, to protect their identity 1995, another member ofth e Ohio and personal property, andwhe n militiamen Unorganized Militia, TimothyJackson , "trans­ enter, the clerks discreetly telephone the sher­ ferred" a legitimate court case against himt o iffs office. Similarly, Use Bailey, an the "common law assistant County Attorney in Kerr court." Jacksonha d County, Tfexas, told the American been charged with fail­ Statesmeni nApri l 1996 that local anti- Oklahoma City ing topa ycit y income government extremists have threat­ bombing suspect taxes forthre e years. ened county clerks who refuse to Tsrry Nichols, who "Our One Supreme process their phony liens. Bailey esti­ Court" heard his case mated that 40percen t of her work reportedly attended and "dismissed" it, time iswaste d onbogu s document fil­ several militia meet­ after ruling that the ings. ings in Michigan, is city court hadn ojuris ­ alsoan adherent of diction over Jackson, Among the many anti-government because he is" a free extremists who have been activei n '^common law court" character person, a both militia and"commo n law court" ideology. sovereign ofthes e groups wasMichae l Hill, anOhioa n United States of killed ina confrontation with police America." Heha s since and celebrated in"Patriot " circlesa s a martyr paid histaxe s "under protest" andi stryin gt o for the cause (see "Criminal Activity"). In get the money back. March 1995, Hill andsevera l cohorts formed a "common law court" inColumbus ,an d Hill was Oklahoma City bombing suspect Tbrry Nichols, appointed its"chie f justice." Heals o conducted who reportedly attended several militia meet­ classes on "common law court" tactics onth e ings in Michigan, isals o an adherent of"com ­ side, andsevera l of his "students" introduced mon law court" ideology.I n 1993, Nicholswa s him toth e militia movement. Hill became the sued by Chase Manhattan Bank for attempting "chaplain" forth e Monroe County chapter of to paycredi t card bills with phony "fractional the Ohio Unorganized Militia. His contacts in reserve checks" issued byth e Wisconsin-based the movement also extended beyond his home Posse Comitatus spin-off. Family Farm Preser­ state. Heha dreportedl y attended a seminar vation. In court, Nichols refused to recognize led by Montana Freeman LeRoy Schweitzer, the judge's jurisdiction over him, and offered and three ofth ebogu s checks issued byth e pseudo-legal arguments anddescription s regu­ Freemen were found in Hill's cara t the timeo f larly used by "common law court" activists. "Fd his death. like to sayI' mher e inprope r person, specially appearing suijuris , notpr ose . I'ma layman , "Our One Supreme Court inth e Republic of natural person. I'ma common law citizen Ohio," the "common law court" once run by under threat, duress andchalleng e the jurisdic­ Hill, hasbecom e popular with other anti-gov­ tion ofthi s court [sic]," Nichols announced. ernment extremists, including other militia members. Brenda Billingsley, the court's "mar­ John Kirk, oneo fth e four Washington state shal," isals o the Franklin County representa­ anti-government extremists convicted in tive ofth e Ohio IJnorganized Militia. In July February 1997 on illegal weapons charges, has also served as a magistrate in a "common law what they perceived to be Federal aggression court" on Mercer Island. A phony legal docu­ and wanted the "enemy" to be faced with a ment issued by the "court" in December 1994 united front. and signed by Kirli imposed a $170,000 fine against a local bank that had foreclosed on the During the 81-day standoff between the Free­ mortgage of one of the "court's" members. The men and FBIagents , militia groups demon­ document declared that the plaintiff was a "de strated varyingdegree s of support for the Mon­ jure citizen" and not a "14th Amendment citi­ tana extremists. On April 17, several weeks zen," —a racist formulation used by some into the standoff, 20 militia activists from 11 "common law court" activists to suggest that states issued a "Declaration"defendin g the whites are endowed with God-given rights rights of the Freemen and bemoaning the "un­ unavailable to AfricauTAmericans. lawful activityo f Federal officers." The docu­ ment warned FBIagent s that an injury to any Herbert Crawford, an Arizona businessman, of the Freemen would "be considered an act of has been involved with the Montana Freemen war against allth e Citizenso f all the States." and their associates, and is also active in the The militiamenasserte d that they were taking Arizona Tawnship Association, a Ihcson "com­ no position, however, on the racist, anti-Semi­ mon law court" group. Crawford attended a tic and pseudo-legal beliefs of the Freemen. "common law" seminar delivered by California "lien queen" ElizabethBroderick , and traveled Militiamen also churned out regular messages in March 1996 to the Freemen compound to about the Freemen over fax networks and on learn more. He left the ranch several days the Internet. A series ofbulletin s sent in May before an 81-day standoff began in March 1996 by militia members in North Carolina updated between the FBIan d the Freemen. Crawford readers on the status of negotiations between has used phony checks issued by Broderick the Freemen and the FBIan d offered up sever­ and the Freemen to pay off credit card debts. al bizarre theories about the FBI's plans. One In August 1996, Oregon authorities charged speculated that the FBIha d "been given the Crawford and four others with conspiring to green light to conduct and use high-tech Tfer- operate a methamphetamine lab. He has rorist. . . WARFARE against those inside [the attempted to derail related legal proceedings Freemen compound]." In letters to recipients by issuing several "common law" documents. of the "Norwela" fax network, militiaman Jeff Randall of Alabama invited like-minded indi­ viduals to help him run a convoy of food and LendingSuppor t supplies up to the Freemen ranch.

Other militia hard-liners traveled to Montana In the past year, as anti-government extremists in a show of support for the Freemen. Several wrangled with law enforcement agents, militia members of the Ohio Unorganized Militia members crossed ideologicalan d tactical lines moved into a cabin located about an hour's to come to the aid of their fellow anti-govern­ drive from the Freemen compound and said ment agitators. Most made it clear that their they were closely monitoring developments. motives were pragmatic; they were angered by Farther away, Idaho-based "Freemen Patriots" staged a rally for the Freemen in Lewistown, It is also common for literature issued by one Montana, about 120 miles west of the Jordan segment of the movement to surface, or even ranch. be distributed as recruiting tools, among mem­ bers of another faction. Along the same lines, In the most extreme scenario, Stewart speakers considered gurus of the "common law Waterhouse, an officer in the Kansas-based court" movement have found a receptive audi­ United States Constitutional Militia, ran a road­ ence among militia activists, and vice versa. block surrounding the Freemen compound and actually hid out with the Freemen for nearly a The Militia of Montana (M.O.M.), one of the month. On several occasions. Federal agents country's largest suppliers of militia-related observed him standing guard for the Freemen propaganda materials and survivalist equip­ with a military assault rifle. Waterhouse is now ment, also caters to "common law court" sym­ being held on Federal charges related to these pathizers. Its January 1996 catalog offers video­ activities (see "Criminal Activity"). In a tapes of "common law court" figure Eugene December 1996 letter to an Arkansas reporter Schroder, longtime Posse Comitatus activist covering his story, Waterhouse explained that: James Wickstrom, and a tape on the "common law"-related subject of the "Fully Informed The purpose of the militia is . . . Jury." to oppose tyranny in a runaway government. . . . Thus it was in our (militia) prerogative to demand and ensure a peaceful end to the "Freemen siege." . . I did not support the Freemen MILITIA OF MONTANA liens, but I have no opinion as to whether the liens were lawful or legal. I also have no opinion whether the Freemen were guilty or innocent. \

1

Sharing Ideas

Several publications appealing to broad swatch­ es of the movement, including The Jubilee, Media Bypass, and The FreeAmerican, serve as a bridge between different anti-government extremist groups by familiarizing extremists OVER MANY NEW with the views and tactics of their fellow 300 ITEMS AND USEFUL TO CHOOSE CATALOG ITEMS TO activists. Each publication features articles and HELPTOU FROM JANUARY 1. 1996 advertisements on militia and "common law court"-related issues, and promotes numerous $1.00 anti-government conspiracy theories. The The Militia of Montana catalog markets militia and Jubilee and The FreeAmerican also trumpet "common law court" propaganda. anti-Semitic views (see "Anti-Semitism"). At a January 1996 militia meeting in San Diego, "common law court"-relat- ed literature was distributed, and REPUBLIC videotapes of Montana Freemen LeRoy Schweitzer and Daniel OF Peterson and of Freemen associate TEXAS Elizabeth Broderick were sold. A day • Oocunmils earlier, these tapes were hawked at a San Diego "common law court" ses­ • Ollwi»lnLM> • Cofimicttk sion. New Vitrtors CUck Here

In Washington State, anti-government activists have displayed sympathies for both militia and "common law •1 \S1 I IT'XTFDONM.VRCirsi.W court" rhetoric. In 1995, Snohomish County "common law court"-support- A page from the Republic of TexasWe b site. er Ben Sams helped bring Militia of Montana members to a meeting of anti-government extremist movement has to the phony court. Many of those attending the offer January 1996 appearance of M.O.M.'s John Trochmann in Mount Vernon, Washington, The RoTha s set up a "Provisional Govern­ turned out the following month for an informa­ ment" which operates its own judicial system, tional session on "common law courts" deliv­ with two "common law courts" that meet regu­ ered by Eugene Schroder in Snohomish larly, and has assembled small militia-type County. Washington State Militia leader John cells, which it calls its "defense forces." These Pitner attended Schroder's talk, and militia fly­ forces are comprised primarily of former mili­ ers were handed out to the crowd. tia groups which have become absorbed into the RoTmovement , including the Texas Eugene Schroder also addressed the October Constitutional Militia. Tbxas officials estimate 1995 2nd National Command Seminar, a three- that 12 such militias have joined the RoT's day meeting of 85 militia representatives from ranks. 11 states. The gathering was designed as a for­ um for militia leaders to coordinate training While the RoT's anti-government activities may programs and to discuss joint political activi­ be performed on a grander scale than those of ties. most in the "common law court" movement, Republic ofTexa s they fit the same pattern. RoTmember s have filed hundreds of fraudulent liens and legal documents against Texas public officials, they The Republico f Texas, a SanAntonio-base d have demanded that state banks relinquish group that considers itself to be a true legal their charters, and have filed a $93 trillion republic, represents the most extreme form of claim against the Federal government. "Chief the cross-fertilizationtrend . Members of the Ambassador" Richard McLaren has stated that RoT seem to employ nearly every tactic the the RoTals o plans to issue its own "treasury about the ongoing confrontation. "Militias certificates." across Tbxas are on high alert," he wrote. "This may prove to be the flashpoint of the whole McLaren has been particularly energetic in fil­ Patriot struggle against the tyranny and oppres­ ing property liens. In May 1996, he was sent to sion of the corrupt and de facto Federal Gov­ jail after issuing scores ofbogu s liens against a ernment." Olson also stated that he would con­ Houston-based land title company and refusing tinue to keep his militia friends up-to-date on to comply with a court order to stop. McLaren the "crisis." later agreed not to file additional documents against the company, but has repeatedly failed In June 1996, RoTmembe r Michael Kearns to appear in court in connection with the mat­ was one of six men convicted in connection ter In December, a warrant for McLaren's with a scheme selling bogus money orders arrest was signed after he once again failed to under the auspices of an anti-government show in court. Law enforcement agents stated extremist group called U.S.A. First (see "Crim­ in 1996 that they intended to serve the war­ inal Activity"). Kearns had publicized the rant, although McLaren warned that to do so phony certificates at local seminars and church would be "in violation of international law" and gatherings, and used one of the money orders threatened to remove authorities from his pro­ to buy a house that had been foreclosed by the perty "with bodily force, if necessary." government. Kearns later tried to pass a $1 million bogus money order signed by Montana McLaren's defiance prompted militia renegade Freeman LeRoy Schweitzer and notarized by Norm Olson, of the Northern Michigan Schweitzer's cohort, Rodney Skurdal. Regional Militia, to send out E-mail messages Criminal Activity

For nearly three years, militia activists across event of a showdown between the militiaan d the country have been preparing fora show­ the government. Some ofLooker' s militia down with the U.S. Government bystockpilin g members believe that the Federal government weapons, conducting paramilitary training ses­ is secretly building prison camps tohous e dis­ sions andgatherin g survivalist paraphernalia. senters inth e militia movement. Some militia members have gone further, acquiring illegal ammunition and bomb-mak­ According to court records. Looker first chose ing materials, andeve n manufacturing explo­ the FBI buildinga sa possible target at a June sives. Anti-government fervor, the movement's 1995 meeting of2 6 county commanders from trademark, hasinspire d some militia members the Mountaineer andPennsylvani a Militias. to plan or commit criminalact s of violence James Rogers, a major inth e Mountaineer against Federal buildings orgovernmen t offi­ Militia anda firefighter atth e Clarksburg Fire cials and hasprovoke d bitter, even deadly, con­ Department, allegedly volunteered atth e frontations with police officers. meeting to acquire theblueprint s of the FBI center from the Fire Department's records. In the last year alone, dozens of militia mem­ Federal agents say that Rogers later pho­ bers were arrested or convicted for illegally tographed the floor plans extensivelyan d acting upon their militant, conspiratorial pieced them together to form a complete pic­ beliefs. The crimes they committed often ture of the fingerprinting facility. Lookeri s posed a threat toth e lives of innocent charged with attempting to sell the pictures to Americans. an undercover agent posing asa broke r for a Middle East terrorist organization. In October 1996, several members of the West Virginia-based Mountaineer Militia, including Eight men andon ewoma n inth eBellingham , leader Ray Looker, were arrested in connection Washington, area were charged inJul y 1996 with an alleged plot tobom b an FBI fingerprint with manufacture andpossessio n ofexplosives , classification facility inClarksburg , West conspiracy, and transfer andpossessio n ofa Virginia. InNovember , they were indictedo n machine gun. Four of the defendants were charges of conspiracy to manufacture explo­ identified as members of the Bellingham-based sives, to transport the explosives across state Washington State Militia, including founder lines, and to "target" the FBIcente r in the John Pitner Another of the men, John Kirk, PIMBI has served asa "magistrate" ina "com­ mon law court" onMerce r Island, Anti-governmentfervor, the movement's Washington. InJanuar y 1997, twoo f the defendants, Theodore Carter, a trademark, hasinspired some militia member of the Washington State memhers toplan orcommit criminal Militia, andRichar d Frank Burton, a acts of violence against Federal build­ Seattle-area anti-government activist, pleaded guilty to charges that they had ings orgovernment officialsand has conspired tobuil d pipe bombs as part provoked bitter, even deadly, confron­ of a plot to assault or kill Federal offi­ tations with police officers. cials. In February 1997, four additional defendants, Kirk, Pitner and militia members In addition to his militia ties, Lampley has Gary Kuehnol and Marlin Mack, were convict­ been associated with the anti-Semitic Christian ed on various illegal weapons and explosives Identity movement. He visited the Identity set­ charges. Sentencing is scheduled for May 16, tlement Elohim City twice —onc e after the 1997. The jury failed to reach a verdict on the Oklahoma City bombing. Robert Millar, the Federal conspiracy charges after a week of leader of Elohim City, has reportedly claimed deliberations, and a mistrial was declared. As that Lampley "was supportive of us." of this writing, prosecutors have yet to decide whether to seek a new trial on the conspiracy Three members of the 112th Georgia Militia, charges. including the group's leader, Robert Starr, were convicted in November 1996 of conspiracy to An FBIinforman t who attended meetings with possess explosive devices, conspiracy to use a the defendants testified in court that they weapon in a violent crime and possession of talked of preparing for a confrontation with the illegal weapons. They had intended to use the U.S. Government and United Nations forces. explosives —whic h Federal agents found He further reported that the group practiced buried on Starr's property —i n a war against "instinctive shooting" using targets marked as the Federal Government. The bombs were to Federal agents or U.S. Attorney General Janet be used on roads, bridges, power lines and Reno. Defense attorneys acknowledged in against U.S. officials. court that their clients had stockpiled weapons and traded advice on buildingpip e bombs.

Tten members of the Viper Militia, a Phoenix, Confrontationswit h Arizona, group, have pleaded guilty to charges LawEnforcemen t of conspiracy to provide weapons instruction and a variety of Federal weapons charges. Militia members often view law enforcement They are set to be sentenced on March 18, agents as the foot soldiers in a Federal plot to 1997. Charles Knight and Christopher Floyd, impose tyranny. In addition, many anti-gov­ two additional Viper members who have not ernment extremists, militiamen included, pleaded guilty, face similar charges and are refuse to recognize the authority of legislators scheduled to be tried in Spring 1997. and law enforcement officials, and reject laws which they deem to be intrusive, such as vehi­ Ray Lampley, the leader of the now-defunct cle registration and taxation. Their defiant Oklahoma Constitutional Militia, and two asso­ stance has led to bitter —an d occasionally ciates were convicted in April 1996 of conspir­ deadly —encounter s with authorities on the ing to bomb such targets as the Houston office local, state and Federal levels. of the Anti-Defamation League, the Southern Poverty Law Center, gay bars and abortion clin­ Most recently, in Central Florida in November ics. Lampley was sentenced in July to 11 1/2 1996, David Andrew Chapman, believed by years in prison. Many militia activists believe police to be a member of the Florida State that ADL and the SPLC are working in league Militia 7th Regiment, was arrested following a with the United Nations and the Federal gov­ confrontation with police. According to the ernment to impose the "New World Order" local sheriffs office, the officers had been against the judge in his case, in the hopes of called to Chapman's home on a report of a getting himdismissed . domestic dispute. When they attempted to arrest him, Chapman allegedlypointe d a gun Larry Russell, a clerk in Ohio's "Our One at one ofth e officers and refused to surrender Supreme Court," was indicted in August 1996 it. Pohce ultimatelymanage d to subdue him, on felony charges of escape and assaulting a but only after an additionalstruggle . He faces police officer Sixmonth s earlier,Columbu s several charges, including two counts of aggra­ authorities attended a meeting of Russell's vated assault, three counts of resisting an offi­ "common law court" in an effort to serve him cer with violencean d two counts ofpossessio n with an arrest warrant for driving without a of armor-piercing "cop killer" bullets. license. Russell allegedlystruc k the policeman trying to serve the warrant, and then fled the In June 1995, Michael Hill, a "chaplain" in gathering. He was finally apprehended by Monroe County's Ohio Unorganized Militia, police in Alaska, as he tried to cross the border was stopped in his car by local police officers into Canada. for driving with homemade, illegal license plates reading MILITIA CHAPLAIN 3-13. A case study in the small-scale anti-govern­ According to the sheriff at the scene, Hill ment extremist activity that is becoming pulled out a .45 caliberpisto l as he exited his increasingly common is the 1996 arrest, trial car and held it poised inbot h hands. In and conviction of Medina County, Ohio, "com­ response, the police sergeant shot and killed mon law court" activist Donald Mueller Hill. A grandjur y investigationfoun d no Mueller, the leader of a weekly "commonla w wrongdoing on the part ofth e officer, but Hill's court" study group and a self-described"sover ­ plight has nevertheless become a rallying cry eign citizen," was stopped by police in January for some in the militia movement. The 1996 for driving with a broken headlight. He sergeant was forced to move his family to a refused to present a driver'slicens e or to be new home after receiving numerous threaten­ fingerprinted or photographed by police, and ing phone calls from self-described militia would not recognize the charges against him. members. Following his arrest, Mueller filed an $8 mil­ lion Federal suit against the court officials Also in Ohio, a routine traffic stop turned vio­ involved with hisprosecution . lent when Larry Martz, a member of the Ohio Unorganized Militia and a witness to Michael During a two-day trial, Mueller acted as his Hill's confrontation with police, attacked and own attorney, frequently made reference to wrestled with a State Highway Patrol trooper God, the Bible and the Constitution, and said Martz was found to be carrying a .45calibe r he did not recognize the authority ofth e pre­ pistol in his waistband; assault rifles, machetes siding judge. Mueller was convicted ofob ­ and 5,000 rounds of ammunition were found in structing official business for trying to delay his truck. In May1996 , he was sentenced to police after they had initially pulled his car two years in prison on charges of assaulting an over officer and concealing weapons. While still on trial, Martz filed a "commonlaw " document Louis DeBroux, the self-described founder of a Republic ofTexa s Georgia-based "common law" advocacy group called Citizens Legal Assistance and Strategy Perhaps the largest group ofindividual s Program (CLASP), pleaded guilty in January engaged in an ongoing battle with government 1996 to plotting the murder of a Superior Court officials is the San Antonio-based Republico f judge. DeBrouxha d planned to lure the judge Tfexas (RoT). Members of the Republic of Tfexas into a business meeting and force him at gun­ assert that Tbxas was illegally annexed by the point into a coffin- United States sized box filled with in 1845 and nitrogen gas. that legally it Prosecutors charged . . . the RoT's leaders have refused to is an indepen­ that DeBroux's plan recognize the elected govemment of the dent republic. stemmed from a state of Tsxas and have fanned their Since its for­ long-standing ven­ mation in detta over a traffic own governmental structure, closelij December violation conviction paralleling that of the United States 1995, the a decade earlier Federal govemment. RoT's leaders DeBroux had also have refused plotted to inject a to recognize the elected government of the wave of fear among statejudge s by telephon­ state of Jfexas and have formed their own gov­ ing them with threatening messages. ernmental structure, closely paralleling that of the United States Federal government. Its lead­ Fifteen participants in a Troy, Missouri, "com­ ership body includes a President, Secretary of mon law court" were convicted in December State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of 1996 for fihng a $10.8 million bogus lien Commerce and TYade, and Chief Ambassador against a Lincoln Countyjudge . They had issued the lien during a session of their phony In January 1996, members of the RoT stood "common law court" in an attempt to sway the before the Tfexas Capitol and called on judge's decision in a speeding case against the Governor George W. Bush to step down from daughter of one of the activists. Adheringt o a his post and recognize the "Provisional Govern­ now-familiar pattern among anti-government ment" of the Republic of Ttexas.lb justify its extremists, the defendants declined to be rep­ claims of national sovereignty, the group pro­ resented by an attorney at their trial, and fre­ duced a box of "common law" documents and quently quoted passages from the Bible. In "served" the papers on the Governor Several January, 11 of the defendants were sentenced months later, RoT's "chief consul" mailed a let­ to two years in prison and fined $5,000. Dennis ter to each of Tfexas's 254 county sheriffs, warn­ Logan and Clifford Keith Hobbs, leaders of the ing that ifthe y did not swear allegiance to the group, were sentenced to seven years in prison Republic of Ttexas, they would risk being and fined $5,000. replaced. In June 1996, the Republico f Ibxas sent a doc­ and wasted itstim e and resources. The liens ument toth e United Nations declaring Tfexas issued by thegrou p have damaged the credit an independent nation. Ina naccompanyin g ratings of innocent people, and the RoT indict­ cover letter addressed toth eGenera l Assembly ments, while legally powerless, have often of the United Nations, RoTPresiden t Archie included intimidatingan d threatening lan­ Lowe wrote: guage.

We hereby demand that your Tb stanch the flow of fraudulent paper, Ttexas member state, the UNITED Attorney General Dan Morales filed a civil suit STATES OF AMERICA, andit s against the organizationi nJun e 1996, barring political subdivision the State of Ttexas, operating asa nagen td e the RoT from issuingbogu s liens against state facto onth e soil of Ttexas,im ­ and county officers. Later that month, a tempo­ mediately cease and desist their rary restraining order was signed, preventing attempts to continue to exercise the group from filing bogus legal documents. foreign relations acts and law While people arefre e tobeliev e that Ttexasi s on and over thelan d and terri­ tories ofTtexas . not a state, Moralessaid , "they areno tfre e to break thela w and they areno tfre e to hurt innocent people."

Also onth e RoT's agenda is the The liensissued by thegroup have takeover ofTtexas' s banking system.I n damaged thecredit ratings ofinnocent October 1996, the RoTsen t noticest o people,and theRoT indictments, while 175bank s around thestat e ordering legally powerless, have often included all Ttexas state bank accounts tob edis ­ solved and the funds transferred to intimidatingand threatening language. the Republic. RoTleader s have also begun selling fake bank charters to The Republiccurrentl y operates two "common members; they tell followerstha t the RoT-held law courts," inLubboc k and Arlington, at banks will be used toliquidat e the personal which members of the organization have "in­ debt of every citizen inth e Republic. dicted"judge s and other officers whose legal rulings they dislike. They have also used these On October 28, 1996, the RoTwa s foundi n "courts" toissu e bogus property liens against contempt of court oncharge s stemming from their personal enemies, and in anattemp tt o its attempts toseiz e theasset s instat e bank seize alllan d belongingt oth estat e ofTtexas . accounts. AStat e District Courtjudg e told For example, a fraudulent "Writ of Execution members they had eight days torescin dth e and Seizure" issued by thegrou p orders all orders they had sent. After that time, each state property tob e transferred toth ehand s of member would be fined $10,000 daily and the RoT. would face the possibility of criminal charges.

The mounds of phony legal documents filed by RoT leaders refused torecogniz e the judge's the RoThav e cloggedth eTtexa s court system decree. But they have notcompletel y ignored it eitlier. RoT Ambassador Richard McLaren his bogus "superior court" had issued default issued a threatening response to Judge Hart's judgments against Garcia and Hernandez. ruling, targeting the Attorney General, who Garcia lost the election by a small margin and had initiated the legal proceedings: 'That will blamed McCormack'sactio n for tainting her in probably be the last single mistake that Mr the eyes of some voters. McCormack'sappar ­ Morales will make in his life. . . . He's very ent animosity toward Garcia was reportedly well aware that we have a Tfexas defense force tied to several arrest warrants she had issued system." when he failed to appear in court to defend a traffic ticket. As of this writing, the clock is ticking, with daily fines being levied on members of the In recent months, a split occurred in the upper group who continue to defy court orders. leadership ranks of the RoT,leadin g to the departure of several individuals. They have Several state buildings housing the Attorney formed a so-called new "ProvisionalGovern ­ General's staff received bomb threats from the ment of the Republic of Tbxas." Republic of Tbxas in early January 1997. Later that month, McLaren threatened to file "inter­ national liens" on the properties of Tbxas offi­ cials, prompting Governor Bush to call for im­ FreemenActivit y mediate legislative counteraction. Describing the situation as an "emergency matter," and While the outrageous exploits of the RoT have urging the Tbxas legislature to pass a bill pro­ been confined to that state, the anti-govern­ hibiting "common law court" activity, the pro­ ment militancy of the so-called Montana clamation waived the usual time limits associ­ "Freemen" has inspired like-minded activists in ated with new legislation, making it possible at least 23 states to file bogus liens, pass phony for the Tbxas Legislature to promptly consider checks and deny the legitimacy of the U.S. such a bill. Government.

In another legal battle, two municipal court Fourteen of the Freemen involved in the 81- judges, Sylvia Garcia and Hector Hernandez, day standoff with Federal officials at a Montana won a combined $1.24 million judgment ranch have been charged with orchestrating a against RoT member Paul McCormacki n conspiracy to defraud Federal, state and local January 1997. McCormack,a self-described governments. An indictment against members "justice" of one of the RoT's "common law of the group alleges that the Freemen attempt­ courts," was accused of harassing the courts ed to purchase merchandise and pay off debts with phony legal documents, and libeling the on hundreds of occasions using authentic-look­ two judges. ing, but phony, checks. When creditors ques­ tioned the authenticity of the checks, the Earlier, in October 1996, while Garcia was run­ Freemen tried to intimidate them with threat­ ning in a close race for the County Attorney's ening letters and telephone calls. As part of office, McCormacktoo k out a legal advertise­ their operation, the Freemen also led sessions ment in the Houston Chronicle asserting that teaching people how to pass the phony checks at various institutions. Tlie Federal indictment Freemen, were indicted on state charges of against them includes multiple counts of con­ forgery, theft and filing false liens. Most of the spiracy, bank fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, defendants were charged with attempting to false claims, threats to public officials and pay off debts with bogus checks made out for weapons offenses. double the amount owed and requesting a cash refund for the difference. The checks, almost In court hearings following their June 13, 1996, $4 million in total, were signed by Freemen surrender to the FBI, members of the Montana leaders LeRoy Schweitzer, Rodney Skurdal and Freemen group brazenly displayed their con­ Dale Jacobi. tempt for the U.S. legal system. They rejected the authority of the presidingjudge , refused to Fort Collins members of the Denver-based We answer questions posed to them by their own The People, an anti-government group associat­ court-appointed lawyers and repeatedly inter­ ed with the Montana Freemen, have been con­ rupted court proceedings with lengthy dia­ victed by Federal prosecutors in connection tribes, includingon e about "the international with a scam netting more than $2 million. Zionist movement." Leaders of the group, includingforme r Iowa policeman Scott Hildebrand, duped people into Elizabeth Broderick, an energetic protege of believing they would make millions if they the Montana Freemen, was convicted in Oc­ joined a class action suit against the Federal tober 1996 of 26 felony counts, including mail government by simply paying a $300 "filing fraud, counterfeiting, obstruction of justice and fee." Courts in Michigan and Colorado have conspiracy. She was sentenced in March 1997 each sentenced Hildebrandt o 10 years in to nearly 17 years in prison, and was ordered prison. He is currently facing Federal charges to pay a $26,000 fine and serve three years of in Iowa. supervised release. The self-proclaimed "lien queen" attended a seminar givenb y Freemen In February 1997, Freemen associates Marilyn leader LeRoy Schweitzer in October 1995, and and Ronald Kerkvliet of Inver Grove Heights, then began to pass on the Freemen's pseudo- Minnesota, were convicted on Federal charges legal tactics and phony checks at classes of her of mail fraud and distributing phony checks. own, conducted in Southern California. Federal The checks had been obtained by Freeman prosecutors estimate that Broderick distributed LeRoy Schweitzer Sentencing is expected in 1,200 checks totaling $120 million. Her phony spring 1997. currency has surfaced in 16 states. Following a search by Federal agents of the In Colorado, a crackdown on Freemen-related Kerkvliets' home in March 1996, Marilyn activity has yielded numerous indictments in Kerkvliet allegedly consulted with Schweitzer recent months. In September 1996, the FBI by telephone and asked for instructions on fil­ arrested Merrillee Kinzee Borden and charged ing property liens against the agents. her with filing millions of dollars in liens Schweitzer told her that she should have arrest­ against several local officials, including police ed the officials, because "we run the country" officers and ajudge . That same month, 12 and "we own the United States." Coloradans, some associates of the Montana I

Additional In April 1996, three "common lawcourt " activists inOrlando , Florida, were sentenced to Anti-GovernmentFrau d prison terms ranging from 11t o 17years . The three men,wh o hadearlie r offered instruc­ Other anti-government extremists, unconnect­ tions on avoidingpaymen t ofFedera l taxes ed to the Freemen, have committed similar through the auspices ofa n organization called acts offrau d against private cit­ the American National izens andgovernmen t institu­ Freemen, were convicted of tions. filing bogus liens andindict ­ Three''common law ments against local bankers, Fifteen people from five states court" activists . . . police and court officials. The have been convicted inTtexa s were convicted of phony criminal complaints Federal courts forthei r partic­ they filed threatened Orlando ipation ina criminal scheme filing bogus liens judges andjuror s with death that challenged thelegitimac y and indictments by hanging. of the United States banking againstlocal bank­ system. Under the auspiceso f ers,police and court In Ventura County, California, U.S.A. First, a Waxahatchie, anti-government extremist Ttexas-based group that denies officials. The phony Tbby Chanel also employed the legalityo f U.S. currency, criminal complaints extra-legal tactics. In 1994, sev­ the individuals printed and/or they filed threat­ eral traffic citations against sold bogus money orders to ened Orlandojudges Chanel for driving with a sus­ thousands ofAmericans . pended license ina n unregis­ During one six-month period andjurors with tered vehicle culminatedi n in late 1993 and early 1994, death by hanging. her arrest and conviction. U.S.A. First's authentic-look­ Since then, Chanel has been ing certificates were used by attempting to exact revenge. She filed phony customers and members ofth e group to pay off "Notices ofDishonor " and multimillion-dollar $61 million in debts, including $2 million in property liens against police and court offi­ payments to the Internal Revenue Service. cials, often mailing notices ofth e liens toth e officials' spouses. Chanel's efforts have report­ One ofth e individualsconvicte d of printing edly earned her an entourage ofdisciples ,wh o and selling the phony money orders was Jerry protectively surround her at court appear­ Henson, a leader ofth e Oklahoma-based "com­ ances. mon law court" organization. United Sover­ eigns ofAmerica . United Sovereigns supplies "common lawcourt " activists around the coun­ try with bogus court documents and peddles a Anti-Government number ofconspiracy-oriente d tracts, includ­ ing the anti-SemiticProtocols of the Eldersof Support System Zion. Henson received a sentence ofeigh t years inprison . Though ideologyan d tactics vary widely within the movement, members are united in their belief that government is the enemy, and they officer in the Kansas-based 7th Division United are quick to rally to the defense of fellow activ­ States Constitutional Militia, mailed a threaten­ ists whom they feel are being besieged by gov­ ing letter to the superintendent of the ernment officers. These expressions of support Oklahoma jail that was housing Lampley and have often included attempts to intimidate or his two associates. Waterhouse characterized confront public officials. Lampley and his alleged co-conspirators as "prisoners of war" and stated that he had In February 1996, militia members became "authoriz[ed]" local militia units to take action peripherally involved in a standoff between against the superintendent if necessary. Federal agents and Lynn TY'uman Crawford, a Waterhouse was charged with two felony man wanted in St. Louis, Missouri, for refusing counts of sending a threatening letter He was to pay more than $70,000 in child support. released shortly after his arrest, however, on After locating Crawford at his mother's home legal technicalities. in Coushatta, Louisiana,FB Iagent s attempted to serve him with a Federal warrant. Crawford Waterhouse also became involved in the 81-day refused to accept the warrant, claiming that standoff between FBIagent s and the Montana the United States Government had no authori­ Freemen. Following Federal notification to the ty over him, and threatening officials with a Freemen that warrants had been issued for gun for trying to enter his home. their arrest and that Federal roadblocks had been placed around their compound. Water- Crawford's anti-government views earned him house traveled to the Montana area, claiming the support of nearby militia activists. he would help defend the anti-government Members of militias from Alabama, Louisiana group against the FBI. Fancyinghimsel f an and Ttexas traveled to Coushatta and claimed important militia spokesman, he also told a they were closely monitoring the activities of television reporter that "Militia units are head­ the armed Federal and state agents standing ing toward Montana. They aren't there to nego­ outside Crawford's door Others called the FBI tiate. They are an army." and the local sheriffs office to voice their opposition to Crawford's treatment. When the Days later, Waterhouse ran a roadblock sur­ six-day standoff ended with Crawford peaceful­ rounding the Freemen compound. He hid out ly surrendering to authorities, ajubilan t fax on the property for nearly a month; Federal message printed on Ttexas Constitutional Militia agents observed him providingguar d duty stationery and signed by "executive officer" around the ranch while carrying amilitar y Johnny Johnson, congratulated those who had assault rifle. been involved in the standoff Waterhouse finally surrendered to Federal "Folks we did it," it read. "Thanks for all your authorities in April, and was charged with help. This man would surely have been dead if helping the Freemen avoid apprehension, it wouldn't have been for allyou r militia peo­ resisting arrest, and running a Federal road­ ple coming to his aid." block. He is being held without bail, and should face trial in 1997. Shortly after the arrest of Oklahoma militia leader Ray Lampley,Stewar t Waterhouse, an The ViolentFring e

On the outermost fringe of the anti-govern­ letters also bore the symbol of the Phineas ment extremist movement, beyond the pur­ Priesthood, a large "P"wit h a cross running view of organized militias or "common law through it. courts," several independent extremists have waged a turbulent war against the Federal gov­ The Phineas Priesthood is a violent credo of ernment. Accused of committing scores of vio­ vengeance advocated by Identity leader lent crimes, including bombings and robberies, Richard Kelly Hoskinsi n his book. Vigilantes of they have operated coverdy in tiny,loosely - Christendom: The Storyof the Phineas Priesthood. organized cells, to achieve their ultimate goal: Hoskins's lengthy manifesto perverts passages the overthrow of the United States Govern­ of the Bible, including the story of the zealot ment. Most are also fervent believers in the Phineas, to justify racist and anti-Semitic acts tenets of the of violence. The anti-Semitic, Priesthood has racist "Christian been used as a Identity" move­ calling card by the ment. The suc­ perpetrators of sev­ cess of these eral such crimes anti-government across the country, terrorists should but there is no cause concern indication that as an increasing these criminals are number of to­ working as an day's militias organized group. similarly move their activities Three of the men underground. charged in Spok­ ane, Charles Three men were An ATF agent surveys the scene after the July 1996 bombingo f a Barbee, Robert charged in Spok- Planned Parenthood clinic. Berry and Verne ane, Washing­ Jay Merrell, may ton, on October 9, 1996, with setting off bombs have all met through America's Promise Minis­ at a newspaper office on April 1an d at a tries, a Sandpoint, Idaho, Christian Identity Planned Parenthood clinic on July 12, in both "church." Barbee and Berry reportedly met at cases minutes before robbing a nearby bank. In an APM gathering, while Merrell has been a March 1997, a fourth man was arrested in con­ featured speaker at the group's events. nection with the July 12 heist. During the April robbery, the men allegedly set off a bomb Their anti-government hatred is well docu­ at the bank. A typewritten note left behind by mented. In a search of the suspects' stolen van the bombers in April, and a second note, at the time of their arrests. Federal agents mailed to U.S. Bank after a reward was posted found letters addressed to the White House for information leading to the robbers' arrests, and the "USury Bank"tha t were similar in style made reference to "Yahweh," the name Chris­ and tone to those left at the scene of the bomb­ tian Identity followers use for God. The two ing. In 1995, Barbee told the Spokane Spokes- man-Review that he was training with several According to prosecutors, the ARA launched a others to fight the Federal Government. string ofban k robberies in 1994, usingdistinc ­ tive methods that suggested the work of a sin­ "We have to be ready to conduct guerilla war­ gle gang. The group, also known as the fare," he said. "Ifthere' s another Ruby Ridge or Midwestern Bank Bandits, drew particular another Waco, we're not going to tolerate it. . .. attention for deliberately taunting Federalla w If the Federal government sends in their enforcement. During a number of their heists, armies ... we will respond and put as many the robbers dressed in FBIo r ATF gear They Federal agents to death as possible." also bought used cars using the names of retired FBI officers. Merrell first agitated against the government in the 1980s as a member of the violent, anti- The full extent of their hatred for the govern­ Semitic Arizona Patriots. Like many of today's ment —a s well as for Blacks, Jews and other- "common law courts," the Arizona Patriots minorities —wa s revealed only after the sought to stymie the Arizona legal system by arrests of the gang's leaders, Peter Langan and clogging its courts with fraudulent lawsuits. In Richard Guthrie. Following the arrest, the FBI 1984, heavily armed members of the organiza­ found a video in which Langanrant s at length tion plotted to assassinate then-GovernorBruc e about the gang's plans to "take over the U.S.A." Babbitt, while others issued a collective "indict­ and encourages like-minded extremists to kill ment" against Arizona's elected officials, threat­ Federal law enforcement agents. The video ening to conduct a "grandjur y inquest" if the promotes the bible of the Phineas Priesthood, officials failed to resign. The "indictment" was Vigilantes of Christendom. signed by Merrell. Langan and Guthrie were arrested after a Six men harboring racist, anti-Semitican d shootout with law enforcement in January fiercely anti-government beliefs have been accused —an d in several cases, convicted —o f planning and carrying 1 out a series ofban k robberies and bombings in seven Midwestern states. According to authorities, the gang, call­ ing itself "The Aryan Republican Army" ("ARA"), robbed 22 banks in 1994 and 1995 in order to finance white supremacist causes and over­ throw the United States Government. The group's tactics were reminiscent of those ofTh e Order, a self-styledrevo ­ lutionary neo-Nazi terrorist gang that committed a series of similar violent crimes in the 1980s. Peter Langan, of the Aryan Republican Army, receives the spoils from a "mission." 1996. Over the next year, four other men were was convicted of five bank robbery and bomb- implicated in the gang's activities. The arrests related charges in connection with a 1994 heist of Kevin McCarthy, Michael Brescia, Scott at the Columbus National Bank. He is also Stedeford and Marie Thomas led to the revela­ expected to stand trial for robberies he is tion of extensive links between the ARA and accused of committing in other states. In a other anti-Semitic groups, as well as to further move that surprised some, Thomas pleaded evidence of the gang's anti-government agen­ guilty on February 18 to plotting seven ARA da. In a pre-trial hearing, McCarthy, a former robberies and to using the stolen money to neo-Nazi skinhead, reportedly said that the fund extremist activities. Prosecution of the gang wanted "to open the door to the over­ remaining gang members is also underway: throw of the United States government." Ac­ McCarthy has agreed to plead guilty to charges cording to authorities, Thomas, an Aryan connected with the robberies; the case against Nations leader and Christian Identity activist, Brescia is pending. introduced McCarthy and Stedeford to the gang's leaders and conspired in the planning The growingthrea t of domestic terrorism — of the robberies. Evidence also shows that illustrated by these two anti-government Thomas was involved in bringing both groups —i s now being confronted by the FBI. McCarthy and Bresciat o Elohim City, a The agency recently announced plans to hire Christian Identity community in Oklahoma. and train 250 new agents exclusively dedicated to investigating and counteracting domestic After pleading guilty to a number of the bank terrorism. The FBIwil l also be opening a new robberies, Richard Guthrie committed suicide Domestic Counterterrorism Center inWash ­ in his prison cell. On February 8, 1997, ington, DC,t o coordinate its investigative activ­ Stedeford was sentenced to 10 years in prison ities with local, state and Federal law enforce­ for his role in a 1995 bank robbery in West Des ment agencies. Moines, Iowa. Two days later, in Ohio, Langan Conspiracy Theories:Th e Bedrock of i\/iiiitia Belief

Militia and "common law court" ideologues words of the late Columbia University Profes­ insist that gun control legislation —especiall y sor Richard Hofstadter, practitioners of "The the Brady Law and restrictions on assault Paranoid Style in American Politics," the title weapons — are major components of a secret of his essay on the subject. In it, Hofstadter and evil government conspiracy to disarm and wrote that the distinguishing characteristic of control the American people. They are also the "paranoid style" was: obsessed with the government's handling of two events — the 1993 Branch Davidian con­ A vast and sinister conspiracy, a frontation in Waco, Tfexas, and the 1992 Randy gigantic and yet subtle machin­ ery of influence set in motion to undermine and destroy a way of life. . . .Th e distinguishing thing about the paranoid style is not Militia and ''com­ that its exponents see conspira­ cies or plots here and there in monlaw court" ideo­ history, but that they regard a logues insist that 'vast' or 'gigantic' conspiracy as the motive force in historical guncontrol legisla­ events. ... tion — especially the BradyLaw and In order to get a clear picture of the "paranoid style" of activists in the militia and "common reshictioijs on as- law court" movements, some oftheir conspira­ sauUweapons — are cy fantasies should be examined: major components of asecret and evil • Conspiracies alleging the illegalityo f the Federal system of government are particu­ government conspir­ larly attractive to the militias and "common acy to disann and law court" activists. Russell Dean Landers, controlthe Ameri­ one of the Montana Freemen, has insisted canpeople. that the Freemen were targeted because they told the world about the "illegal"U.S . Government. Landers has asserted that he Weaver siege in Ruby Ridge, Idaho —an d inter­ has papers proving that the Federal Govern­ pret both as signs of impending tyranny. The ment was set up illegally by European militias' conspiracy-haunted views are regular­ bankers and other conspirators in 1881. He ly voiced in their publications. They see an has said that he will file motions claiming evil Federal government working in league that the FBI had no right to make arrests in with the United Nations to strip Americans of the Freemen's compound called Justus their constitutional rights: Their allegations are Tbwnship. Landers and his cohorts have often absurd, outrageous and even dangerous refused to cooperate with any part of the to the health of American democratic society. Federal legal system includingjudges , pros­ These conspiracy-ridden activists are, in the ecutors or public defenders. According to several reports, Oklahoma City merly of the Militia of Montana) has said bombing suspect Timothy McVeigh believed that "it was no coincidence"tha t 85 torna­ that the U.S. Army had inserted a "bio-chip" does "took place simultaneously" in the into his hip in order to monitor his activi­ Midwest on one day during 1994. One ties. Many in the militias similarly believe source of the conspiracy theories animating that the government plans to put a large militia members has been The Spotlight, scale "bigbrother " spy system in place to publication of Liberty Lobby, the leading control all of its citizens. anti-Semitic propaganda organization in America today. A September 1994 eight- Militia figure Mark Koernke, also known as page supplement of the paper widely dis­ "Mark from Michigan," told an audience at tributed among militiamen intoned: "Is the "Great Ohio Preparedness and Self- America on the verge of war? Is a 'national Reliance Expo of '96" that the Federal emergency' about to be declared and Amer­ Government blew up the Alfred P. Murrah ica placed under martial law? Is America Building in Oklahoma City as part of a plan on the brink of occupation by military to cast the militia movement in a bad light. troops under United Nadons control?" The He offered no proof for this allegationbu t it Spotlight, in its August 15, 1994, issue, car­ is still generally regarded as gospel by ried the following story about weather many militia activists. John Trochmann, manipulation: co-founder of the Militia of Montana, told the Florida Panhandle Patriots that a gener­ Extreme Weather Patterns May al of the U.S. Army, whom he would not Not be Acts of God. Is Someone — or a group of someones — name, informed him that the Oklahoma fooling around with the weath­ City bombing was "an insidejob. " er? Why would anyone do this? The answer is simple ... to cre­ Militias believe that the United Nations is ate starvation conditions for selected segments of the world's at the core of a "NewWorl d Order" opera­ people on demand, and to elimi­ tion, whose goal is the subjugation of U.S. nate many ifno t most of the citizens. John Trochmann asserted that world's food producers, mainly Retired Chief of Staff General Colin Powell U.S. farmers and ranchers. . . . would be Bob Dole's Vice Presidential can­ Now, through a controlled pro­ gram of weather modification didate. Powell, Trochmann said, would aid on an international scale, [the the U.N. in its plot to become the ruling "internationalists" may have the body of the world. In a lecture to the ultimate weapon. . . . Florida Panhandle Patriots, Trochmann dis­ played photos of tanks, helicopters and • Many militias are opposed to Federal regu­ armored troop carriers with "U.N." insignia, lation of firearms, tax collection and land and implied that they were being secretly use, and believe they are evidence of a stored all over the U.S. "hidden hand." Among the agencies regard­ ed with the most suspicion is FEMA, the Weather controlb y the U.S. Government is Federal Emergency Management Agency. another favorite theme. Anti-government The Norwela Common Militia of Louisiana conspiracy monger Robert Fletcher (for­ puts out a publicationsolel y about the dan- gers of FEMA which they see asth e "secret • The government's "war on drugs" with its government" of the United States and its use of Federal law enforcement, electronic "most powerful entity." The Norwela Militia monitors and increased police search and warns "it was not even created under Con­ seizure options, isconsidere d suspect. stitutional law by the Congress. It was a Many militias contend that the country's product of a Presidential Executive Order. drug problem has been exaggerated byth e It is not the U.S. Military nor the Central Federal Government aspar t of its war Intelligence Agency. These organizations against Americancitizens . are subject to the control of Congress." The Norwela Militia has also written: • Black helicopters figure prominently in militia literature asth e sinister vanguard of military forces for the New World Order In1994 , Jim Keith wrote a book entitled: Black Helicopters A recent nationalstudy onmisti iist of OverAmerica: Strike Force for the government conducted by James New World Order,an d dedicated it DavisonHunter at the University of "to those who resist the New Virginia,found that one-quarter of World Order" Itallege s that black U.N. helicopters arepar t of the Americansbelieve thatthe U.S. Gov­ conspiracy to take over the United ernment is run bya conspiracy, and States. And,hi s theory continues, "one in ten strongly subscribes to this they are part of a larger scheme which includes concentration view." camps and combat units tob e used against American citizens. The scenarios established to trigger FEMA into action are While each of these conspiracies seems ludi­ generally found in the soci­ crous, a recent national study on mistrust of ety of today: economic col­ lapse, civil unrest, drug government conducted by James Davison problems, terrorist attacks, Hunter atth e Universityo f Virginia, found that distrust of the government one-quarter of Americans believe that the U.S. by amajorit y of the people. Government is run by a conspiracy, and "one . . .With all of these premis­ in ten strongly subscribes tothi s view."Mor e es existing, itcoul d only be a matter of time until one of disturbingly, 64 percent of those polled believe these triggers the entire that the "governing elite" is insensitive to the emergency necessary to concerns of its citizens. These numbers suggest bring FEMA into action. And a suspicious electorate open toth e wildest and then itma y be too late, be­ cause under the FEMA plan, most deceitful conjecture. there isn o contingency by which Constitutional power The following section will examine anti-Semitic is restored, [underlined in and racist beliefs among the militia and "com­ the original] mon law court" groups. Anti-Semitism and Racism

Tbday's right-wingextremist s depend on con­ in the 1980s. Like many militiasan d "common spiracy theories to fiiel enthusiasm among law courts," the Posse rejects Federal and state their supporters. Without the belief that an evil government agencies in favor of what it views "New World Order" is upon us, militias would as "legitimate" authority, usually the county lose their raison d'etre. The "common law sheriff courts," too, would be in permanent recessi f not for their outrageous belief that our govern­ The Posse adheres to the beliefs of the ment suspended the Constitution long ago. Christian Identity "church," an anti-Semitic History has shown that such obsessive conspir- pseudo-religion that preaches that whites of acy-mongering often ultimately fingers Jews Northern European extraction are the true chil­ or other minorities as scapegoats for the na­ dren of Israel and that Jews are the descen­ tion's ills. dants of Satan. Several former Posse members are active in today's "common law courts," It is hardly surprising, then, that anti-Semites including Leonard Ginter, an Arkansas Posse and racists have found a comfortable home in segments of the anti-government extremist movement. Indeed, much of the movement's activity is directed by groups that promote Propaganda materi­ anti-Semitism and racism along with their als thatare passed more visible agitation against the government. Propaganda materials that are passed around at around at meetings, meetings, conventions, gun shows and over the conventions, gun Internet often promote the view that Jews or showsand overthe Jewish institutions are co-conspirators in the Internet oftenpro­ New World Order With disturbing frequency, classic tracts of anti-Semitism are hawked at motethe view that militia-oriented events or are available from fewsor Jewish insti­ the catalogs of anti-government extremist tutions are co-con­ organizations. spirators in the New

Some bigots in the movement are wise to the World Order With public relations problems presented by their disturbing frequen- beliefs. Rather than present these views open­ ci), classic tiaets of ly, they camouflage them, dressing them up as anti-Semitism are history or religion. Occasionally,standar d code words such as "international bankers," or "Zion­ hawked at militia- ists" are used to refer to the alleged Jewish role oriented events or in the conspiracy. are available fiom the catalogs of anti- Much of the ideology of today's anti-govern­ ment extremists traces its roots to the anti- government extrem­ Semitic Posse Comitatus which had its heyday ist organizations. member who spent five years in prison for har­ flMUnpUM *«UM«,Mi«H»ut;MittiRWl9«((lmiUIi.4titrtlrftttM*ftttibfp boring Federal fugitive Gordon Kahl, a Posse •ttko rm iMii Ml kfurftfA . -Th «Secon dAmcodmeo l activist. Ginter currently serves as a "justice" in THE MILITIAMAN'S NEWSLETTER an Arkansas "common law court." TAKING AIM

Identity-oriented ideas permeate many "com­ OPERATION:PHOENI X mon law court" documents and propaganda. COMES HOME TO AMERICA Theyea r was 1964. The loca­ five) member hit team boldly en­ The PkoeiUx Frogram, cre­ One "Common LawAffidavit " originatingi n tion: Vietnam. Four Navy Seals ters the home of Bill Mueller. ated in 1967 by fonner CIADi ­ (Killer Team) infiltrate a North Mission: "Uquidaie family, and, rector William Colby, combined Vietnamese village. Mission: 'oh,' byth e waymak e itloo klik e existing counterinsuivency pro­ Kentucky, for example, refers to "the White "Assassinate the village chief be­ a roM>cr) - steal his guns and grams in a concerted efTort to cause he's politically connect«l, coins." 'neutralize" the Vietcong infra- and, 'oh.' by tbe way, take out strwture. This operation was race of People of the Posterity a/k/a Israel thatfifty-one calibe rgun. " Ute hittea m entersth e home. conducted against the NorthViet - Neutralizes Bill, and his wife namesepopulatio nwit hth e intent The Seals infiltrate the vil­ Nancy, either with tazcrs, or by to strike fear, dissension andjus t . [sic]." The ChristianIdentit y name for God — lage. The designated assassin en­ simply j-clling "FBI," or. "ATF.*" plain terror in the hearts of the ters Ihe chier$ hooch and spots There is no struggle. No shots North Vietnamese civilians. In an individual wltere the "Hunter fired. No overtumed furniture, short, take away the p(^!ar sup­ Team" (old him the chief would and no ransacking of the house. port the civilians were giving the Yahweh — is often used in "common law court" be sleeping. He pulls his com­ The team quickly handcuffs Bill NorthVietnames eArmy . mando knife. Somebody slits in and Nancy and l^es control of the next bed. He has been uu^t dieir eight-year-old daughter The second incident, occur­ oaths and frequently appears in their pseudo- how to silently kill somebody m- Sarah. The team kidnaps them, ring in El Salvador was a reor­ stantly. Heput s hishan d over the drives throu^ windy, mountain­ ganization of the Phoenix Pro­ person's mouth, puts the knife ous terrain to the Illinois Bayou gram which includedothe rcoun - legal documents. under the second rib, goes River. The team places black, tiy's security forces, such as Is­ ihrou{^ the heart, gives ii a flick; plasticgarbag ebag sove r tt£h of rael's Mossad. Pans of the pro­ it snapsth e spinal cord. He hears their beads, wraps duct tape gram were exposed through the the explosiontakin g out the gun. around their necks, securing the fran/Comra scandal wAerein Somebody else stirs, so he pulls bags and then throws them into Wwcnix participation was ex­ his sideann andput si t against ber the river. Mission accomplished tremely heavy. Oneo fth e finmd- As ADL detailed in The Freemen Network: An head and shoots her. She's dead. No siege,n owitnesse s anda nex - ers of the '^Phoenix Battalion" As he leaves, he looks back and militarysu ndealer/purio t isdeal t was Bob Brown,edito r ofSoldie r seestha t he has just assassinated with. (Editor's note: See page of Fortunemwazine .Anothe r key Assault on the Rule of Law, a number of the the chierstw oyoun g daughters. three deuflfng (be account of player was Felix Rodriguez, a the BUIMuelle r Familyassaisi - rorrner Provincial Reconnaissance TTieyea r was 1981.Th e loca­ nation ofJanuar y 1996.) Unit (mercenaiy forces under the tion: El Salvador. U.S. Military control ofth e CIA inSout h Viet­ Montana Freemen hold Christian Identity and CIA trained assassins cap- Inth e first incidentmentione d nam) advisor who developed the lured 24 women and children. the qjeration was tiUed. OPLAN PtnkPlan. ThisPla ndesigne dth e They were assassinated, one by 34. Thiswa sth e old LeapingLen a CIA's new theory on low- beliefs. One of their manifestos proclaimed "It one, incol d bloodwit h machetes. infiltration program for LRRP intensity warfluc. 11wa sendorse d The mutilated corpses were left (long-range reconnaissance pa­ and approvedb yRonal d Reagan's behinda sa wamin gt odissenters . • trol)operation s in Laos.I twa sth e National Secunty Advisor Robert is the colored people, and the jews [sic], who forerunner to Operation: Phoe- The year is 1996. The loca­ MacFarUne. are the descendants of Cain . . . when We tion: Arkansas. A four (possibly move into a new land, We are to kill all of the The Militia of Montana's monthlynewsletter . inhabitants of the other races. . . . We are not to allow women nor foreigners (colored people, a rambling conspiracy tract by Christian Ident­ jews, and/or citizens of the United States) to ity propagandist George Eaton. Editors of the rule over us [sic]." The Freemen spread this newsletter described Eaton as "a very honor­ creed of hatred — along with lessons in "com­ able man a close friend ours [sic]her e at mon law court"-type activity — to hundreds of M.O.M." TtikingAim continues to market works people who attended their seminars in Mon­ by other noted anti-Semites includingJame s tana. Wickstrom, a convicted counterfeiter and leader of the anti-Semitic Posse Comitatus, and John Trochmann, a leader of the Militia of John Weaver, a Christian Identity "Pastor" Re­ Montana (M.O.M.), has long tried to play down turning the favor, Wickstrompromote s and his ties to Christian Identity as well as his sells M.O.M. videos as well as tapes by Eugene experience with the Aryan Nations, a neo-Nazi Schroder, a leading "common law court" pro­ group. In his fi^equent speeches around the moter country, he insists that he has been wrongly accused of anti-Semitism and racism. Yet his John Trochmann himselfha s continued to organization persists in promoting the work of maintain his close ties to the anti-Semitic some of the country's most rabid anti-Semites. Liberty Lobby. He was interviewed by Spot­ light,th e group's propaganda organ, and he In the July 1996 issue of Thking Aim, M.O.M.'s attended a 1995 convention celebrating Liberty monthly newsletter, six pages were devoted to Lobby's 40th anniversary. In a 1995 interview. David Trochmann of M.O.M told the Nashville Tknnesseantha t he agrees with aspects of Christian Identity doc­ United Sovereign Citizens peddles the trine and that he believes that the number of Jews killed during the notorious Protocols of the Elders of Holocaust has been exaggerated con­ Zion. siderably.

The 1996 arrest and conviction ofOklahoma n The FreeAmerican, an extremist magazine pop­ Ray Lampley brought to the surface the most ular among militia supporters and "common disturbing manifestation of anti-Semitismi n law court" activists, has also promoted The the militia movement. Lampley, leader of the Protocols, which it described as "the blueprint now-defunct Oklahoma Constitutional Militia, used for the New World Order" In addition, the conspired to bomb the Houston office of the Identity publication, The Jubilee, mixes its anti- Anti-Defamation League as well as other tar­ Semitism with pro-militia and "common law gets. Lampley expressed intensely anti-Semitic court" propaganda for an audience of both and anti-government views and said that it is racists and anti-government extremists. the duty of militia activists to rescue American citizens from Federal rule. Some "common law court" adherents believe that there are two classes of citizens — "sover­ Anti-Semitic and racist material is routinely eign" white citizens, whose rights are God- distributed at "Preparedness Expos," in cities given, and "Fourteenth Amendment" citizens, across the country (see "Preparedness Expos"). nonwhites who are subject to the laws of the These gatherings purport to be trade-shows for illegitimate Federal Government. This racist survivalists and gun enthusiasts but, in fact, nonsense is repeated in countless pseudo-legal they serve as opportunities for anti-govern­ documents distributed throughout the country. ment extremists — including racists and anti- Johnny Liberty (real name — John David Von Semites — to spread their propaganda among Hove), author of Sovereign American's Hand- sympathizers and potential recruits. Over the booh,a bible for many "common law court" last two years, "Expo" participants have sold or activists, affirmed his belief in the theory in a distributed a wide range of anti-Semitic works 1996 newspaper interview. including Christian Identity literature. Hardcore anti-Semites in the "common law United Sovereign Citizens, a leading propagan­ court" movement often blend their bigoted da and organizinggrou p for the "common law views into their pseudo-legal ramblings. For court" movement whose leaders include example, an Arizona-based"commo n law Identity follower Darrell Freeh, peddles the court" agitator has contrived a bogus legal notorious Protocolsof the Elders of Zion. Earl action against "Tklmudic Jews from A to Z in Jones of New Mexico, who has spoken at state and Federal Govts." He accuses the Jews numerous Identity-oriented events, told a of among other things, persecuting the Ari­ United Sovereigns audience in February 1996 zona Governorbecaus e he voted against a hate that Americansar e living "under Talmudic crime bill. Law." More frequently, however, the anti-Semitism Martin Luther's The Jewsand Their Lies, and and racism found in the "common law court" The Protocolsof the Elders of Zion. movement is more subtle. For example. Why a Bankrupt America?, a document widely quoted Bo Gritz leads survival and weapons training in the movement that was distributed at a re­ sessions popular among militia supporters and cent "court" meeting in Oregon, camouflages is forming a "ConstitutionalCovenan t Com­ its anti-Semitism as economics. Purporting to munity" in Idaho. In the October 1996 issue of discuss the country's economic problems, the his Center For Action Monthly Newsletter, booklet pins the blame on the Federal Reserve Gritz alludes to the accusation — historically Bank and promotes the myth that several Jew­ exploited by anti-Semites - that Jews "de­ ish banking families (along with the Rockefel­ manded the crucifixion ofJesu s Christ." He lers) are its beneficiaries: then suggests that "Jews are still reaping the bitter harvest ofba d blood even today." Gritz Is this what you work your continues to promote his book. Called to Serve, fingers to the bone for — to in which he asserts that Jewish families con­ pay usury to a private group trol the Federal Reserve system. of bankers who make up the Fed? Some of its stockholders are identified as: Rothschilds Eustace MuUins, a longtime anti-Jewish propa­ of London and Berlin; Lazard gandist, is a frequent speaker on the mUitia Brothers of Paris; Israel and anti-government circuit. His obsession Moses Reif of Italy; Kuhn, Loeb and Warburg of Ger­ with the Federal Reserve system —an d his many; and the Lehman belief that it is a private institution owned by Brothers, Goldman, Sachs, eight Jewish families —mak e him popular and the Rockefellerfamilie s with the conspiracy crowd. MuUins's support of New York. The sharehold­ ers are not you nor I, not for militiasi s intertwined with his anti- America, not the U.S. Gov­ Semitism: in a recent essay, he said that mili­ ernment. They are a consor­ tias are "the only organized threat to the tium of private international Zionists' absolute control of the U.S." banking families and their stockholders! The NationalAssociatio nfo r the Advancement of White People (NAAWP) - a racist and anti- The booklet recommends for further reading Semitic organization founded by David Duke — the blatantly anti-Semitic Secrets of theFederal Reserve by Eustace MuUins.

Paradoxically, some of the material promoted Eustace MuUins, a by "common law courts" has been found in the Afi-ican-American community as well. At a longtime anti-Jewish New York rally held by the Nation of Islam's propagandist, is a Louis Farrakhan in October 1996, booksellers frequent speaker on promoted "common law court" materials — including a "handbook" by Johnny Liberty — the militia and anti- along with such classic anti-Semitic works as government circuit. is itself attempting to organize militias. A leader Many, perhaps most, anti-government extrem­ of one ofthes e groups, Dan Daniels of Florida, ists reject the blatant racism of groups like the views the goals of the militia in racial terms: NAAWP. Yetth e movement itself persists in allowing other — usually more subtle —bigot s We are becomingth e voice to use Jews, Blacks and other minorities as of White Resistance. ... We scapegoats for the nation's problems, both real invite you to join or start an and imagined. NAAWP Militia. . . . Tkke a hand in determining the destiny ofyou r race! Political Involvement

while many anti-government extremists have has been dupUcated and adopted by more than been movingthei r activities underground, oth­ two dozen states. The resolution, which passed ers have been trying to acquire a mainstream the Coloradolegislatur e in June 1994, notes image and political influence. Their efforts that the 10th Amendment turns over to the have been rewarded by several elected officials states all powers not mentioned in the who have conferred undue legitimacy upon Constitution, and demands that the Federal the movement by expressing sympathy for the Government stop issuing mandates to the extremists' anti-government message, or by states. participating in militia or Christian Identity-ori­ ented forums. Fortunately, all suchpoliticians , Duke has addressed a number of militia audi­ as of this writing, have been minor officials. ences with his states' rights platform and has received speaking honoraria from militia orga­ One of the movement's most vocal political nizers Rick Tyler and J.J. Johnson. Duke has supporters is ColoradoStat e Senator Charles also taken his message to "common law court"- Duke, a states' rights activist whose non-bind­ oriented forums, and has appeared on several ing resolution promoting state "sovereignty" occasions with one of the movement's gurus, Eugene Schroder Duke has tried to hide his militia connections from the mainstream media. Speaking in November 1995 at a nation­ Constitution: al meeting of militia leaders, Duke waited until Facto rFictio n the press left and then announced: When I am asked by the media, "Ifell me about your contacts with the militia," I say, "I don't even know anybody in the mili­ tia." So you're going to hear me . . . deny that you exist or that you're a problem or any of those other things.

Duke unwittinglyallowe dthes e remarks to be captured on tape.

The Storyo fth eNation' s Descent Nearly two months into the Freemen standoff froma Constitutiona lRepubli c in Montana, the FBIaske d Duke to mediate througha Constitutiona l Dictatorship toa nUnconstitutiona l Dictatorship meetings between the Freemen and Federal agents. Duke at first expressed sympathy for the Freemen, calling the Federal charges Dr. Eugene Schroder against them "suspicious"an d saying that the with Micki Nellis group had been "terriblywronged, "bu t later, after talks between the two sides broke down, Eugene Schroder's booki son eo fth e "common Duke had second thoughts. He praised the law court"movement' s bibles. FBI's handling of the standoff and suggested the Freemen were frauds. Nevertheless, in edge that the Jubilee and its readership promote September 1996, Duke criticized the indict­ racist and anti-Semitic views, saying that "They ment in Colorado of a dozen people charged are a group of patriotic Americans who are with passing phony checks issued by the working to preserve and restore individual Montana Freemen. Duke argued that the rights and freedoms." Colorado Bar Associationha d violated the Constitution, and said, "I'm not willing to say In 1992, Rogers tried to avoid paying Federal [the checks] are bogus. A lot of people believe taxes by signing a "common law" document what they are doing is quite legitimate." He that claimed he was exempt from taxes be­ also questioned the legality of the Federal cause he held a "white man's citizenship." Reserve. Echoing the arguments of some in the "com­ mon law court" movement, an affidavit signed Speaking in Nevada during the summer of by Rogers declared that because he was born 1996, Duke delivered an indictment of the "of parents who were white," he was not a citi­ Federal Government, stating that authorities zen under the 14th Amendment, and only 14th are pointing to the Oklahoma City bombing to Amendment citizens are required by the Con­ justify the use of "Gestapo tactics" on American stitution to pay Federal taxes. Confronted with citizens. the document four years later, Rogers said:

Also in Colorado, State Senator Mary Anne "I got some bad advice and since then I chang­ Tfebedo has occasionally expressed her admira­ ed my mind ... at the time[,]. . . I looked at tion for anti-government activists. Tfebedo's this and thought it had some merit. But since daughter, Linda, has filed phony legal docu­ then I have decided that it does not." Rogers ments to declare herself a "sovereign citizen," has also stated, "I am not a racist, I never have and refuses to drive with a valid license or been and don't support any racist groups at plates. Her mother has defended these beliefs all." and said that those who act upon them are merely trying to reform government. "One In July 1996, Rogers railed against government thing I know is that these people are not in an address at the "Freedom Lover's Rally" in kooks," she said. "They have educated them­ Sunnyvale, California. Literature tables circling selves on the issues and studied the laws." the room offered attendees an array of anti- Semitic, conspiracy-oriented and anti-govern­ Former California State Senator Don Rogers, a ment literature, includinga Holocaust-denial hard-line supporter of states' rights, has stood tract called Keystone of the New World Order: side-by-side with anti-Semites and anti-govern­ The Holocaust Dogma of Judaism. ment activists at several extremist events. Rogers retired in 1996 in accordance with the In 1996, Georgiabusinessma n Charles Collins state's term-limit law. While still in office, ran as an independent Presidential candidate Rogers spoke at the 1992 and 1994 Jubilee-spon- on a largely anti-government platform. Collins sored "Jubilation Celebration." Other speakers reached out to militia and "common law court" at the 1994 conference included former groups by addressing their meetings, and Klansman Louis Beam and Christian Identity counted 18 militiasi n his support base. His "pastor" Pete Peters. Rogers refused to acknowl- campaign literature fed upon the fears of anti- / government extremists, calling for U.S. with­ Several militia members have made unsuccess­ drawal from the United Nations, eliminationo f ful bids for public office. West Virginia Moun­ the Federal Reserve and abolitiono f the Em­ taineer Militia leader Ray Looker campaigned ergency War Powers Act. During the standoff in in 1994 for the state House of Delegates and Montana between FBIagent s and the Freemen, ran for the office of Harrison County magis­ Collins lambasted the government agents and trate in 1996. In October 1996, Looker was defended the activities of the Freemen. "The indicted on charges of conspiracy to bomb only difference between what the Freemen Federal facilities (see "Criminal Activity"). Bob have done and the actions of the Federal Lord, founder of the Pennsylvania-based Reserve is Congress has granted the Federal Keystone Militia, ran in 1996 on the ticket of Reserve a corporate license to steal," he said. the fledglingConstitutiona l Party as its candi­ Collins also alleged that the FBIplanne d to set date for auditor general. That same year, John fire to the Freemen ranch "and start another Moore, of the 1st Missouri Volunteers Militia, . . . Waco." ran as a Republicani n the primary for the state's 3rd District Congressional seat.

'•)2 The Internet

In the past few years, anti-government extrem­ person informed of events." Byth e mid-1980s, ists have added a potent new weapon to their he was trying to establish the "Aryan Nation arsenal: the Internet. While the traditional Liberty Net," a network of extremist-run com­ communication tools of extremists — meetings, puter bulletin boards designed to help coordi­ fax trees, videotapes, shortwave radio, newslet­ nate the dispersed cells contemplated by lead­ ters and magazines —ar e still the dominant erless resistance. means of spreading their message, the Internet is growingi n importance. This worldwide com­ Despite Beam's ambitions, the network foun­ puter network is a very useful tool for pump­ dered. Computers were costly and not wide­ ing out propaganda, facilitating rapid, confiden­ spread in the extremist community. Bulletin tial communication among members and sym­ board systems were tricky to administer and pathizers, while creating an on-line or "virtual" had limited networking possibilities. Connect­ community of like-minded believers scattered ing to the computers often meant making long­ around the country. It gives access to an audi­ distance calls and the slow communication ence many times larger than any the extrem­ equipment of the day required users to stay ists have ever had, providinga national, indeed on-line for a relativelylon g time —wit h the international, platform for a movement that connect charges adding up. has been much more successful organizingint o local units than creating a coherent national Taday's Internet technology provides extrem­ presence. ists of all stripes with a communication system that goes beyond what Beam imagined. Send­ While widespread computer use by militias ing mail, having real-time on-line "chats" or and "common law courts" is relatively new, retrieving data from a distant source is now a some extremists saw years ago that electronic simple —an d relativelyinexpensiv e — matter communications could help their cause. In the In addition, the World Wide Web, a technology 1980s, Louis Beam, a militantanti-Semitic , that was not available 10 years ago, provides a racist and anti-government extremist who has public forum for the distribution of all sorts of had a long association with the neo-Nazi Aryan information that supports and is useful for Nations, saw a key role for computers in his anti-government extremists. A graphic, multi­ struggle against democratic government. Be­ media environment that uses eye-catching lieving "the government is the foremost threat typography, bright and arresting images, sound to the life and liberty of the folk," Beam urged —speec h and music —an d even video, the "a thousand points of resistance," a strategy Web has enormous possibilities. that "does not have any central control or direction. . . ." He called it leaderless resist­ So it is hardly surprisingtha t militia members ance. Knowing that leaderless resistance would and supporters have taken to the Internet and inevitably create communication and coordina­ the World Wide Web. There are dozens ofWe b tion problems for "those idealist [sic] truly com­ sites run by militias and militia supporters. In mitted" to the goal of "defeat[ing] state tyran­ addition, there are Web Pages run by various ny," Beam looked to "organs ofinformatio n "common law" and secessionist groups such as such as newspapers, leaflets, computers, etc., the Republico f Ifexas. Some sites are run by which are widely available to all,[to ] keep each functioning militias and others are operated by individuals who sympathize with the move­ treasonously subverting the Constitution in ment but are merely "cyberspace warriors."O n order to enslave the Citizens ofth e State of the Internet — and the World Wide Web in par­ Montana, The United States of America and ticular — a well-designedpresentatio n can blur the World in a socialist union." the line between the real and the "virtual" organization. Warning on the Web rages against a sheep-like citizenry that cannot see the imminent danger:

Waming on the Web wants to officially thank those The militia pageson the Web uniform­ who have voted for the re-election of President ly refleet a fervid belief that any Bill Klinton [sic]: You trai­ attempt to limit ownership ofweapons tors have just insured that the New World Order will of all sortsis prima facie evidence of ultimately take over! . . . the impending dictatorship by the Thanks to YOUR stupidity we can now expect the fol­ vaguely defined "New WorldOrder/' lowing:

The militia sites or pages on the World Wide Tatal ban on allright s to keep Web are filled with fantasies about a power- and bear arms hungry government run by selfish, self-seeli- Full Martial Lawdeclare d — possible ing, ifanonymous , forces — a government that use of foreign U.N. "peacekeepers." is about to impose a ruthless tyranny on the • Confiscation of all guns owned by pri­ populace. Most express the view that the vol­ vate Citizens unteers of the militia are the true defenders of • More government-generated terrorism liberty and democracy. The grandly named such as OklahomaCity , etc. U.S. Militia, declaring itself "America's Last Line of Defense," stands "ready to defend [the] The Militia pages on the Web uniformly reflect nation against the threat of tyranny and a fervid belief that any attempt to limit owner­ oppression, whatever its origin . . . [and is] pre­ ship ofweapon s of all sorts is prima facie evi­ pared to wage eternal war by whatever means dence of the impendingdictatorshi p by the necessary to keep America free." The source of vaguely defined "NewWorl d Order" The the threat: "allenemies , foreign and domestic." Patriot KnowledgeBas e rails against "the aim Restoring America rails against the "sheer and intent of the New World Order boys to dis­ number of government crimes, scandals and arm and subjigate [sic]th e people. . . ."It sees schemes." Featuring a graphic of the Bill of the solutioni n a "Patriot movement [that] . . . Rights stamped "Void Where Prohibited by must begin with educating fellow citizens, and Law," The Patriot KnowledgeBas e Home Page then more victoriesa t the ballotbox. " But ulti­ declares "Our Criminal Congress" guilty of mately "[i]t is an armed, united, intelligent and "treason." The Militia of Montana Home Page able citizenry that will defeat the enemy with­ warns that "The Conspiratorst o form a in. .. . [R]esortingt o arms must be the very SOCIALIST ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT last act ofth e American Patriot. . . . [A]nd if under the UNITED NATIONS are still at work and when the steady methods . . . fail — then

34 revolutionary style militias mayb e theonly The World Wide Webha s a network of Militia- last resort. . . . [emphasis in the original]" related Home Pages. Many sites link to other Web Pages that are replete with gun-related, Militia WebSite s are filled with connections to survival and paramilitaryinformation , stories sites about guns, survival and military training. of corruption and murder inth e highest realms The Central Ohio UnorganizedMiliti a posts a of the government, as well as quackmedica l "Typical Militia T^ble of Equipment"tha t and monetary theories: the standard material begins: of conspiracytheor y on which much of the anti-government extremist movement thrives. (1) WEAPONS AND AMMO, TOTAL 23 POUNDS A group of militia WebPage s attempts to refute (A) Weapons Case the charge that the movement is anti-Semitic, Rifle racist and xenophobic.Thes e pages fervently Pistol declare that racisman d anti-Semitismar e (B) Ammo Bag incompatible with their definition ofpatrio ­ Magazine, rifle, 7ea. , fully charged tism. The Missouri 51st Militia denounces Magazine, pistol, 3ea. , fully charged. those "racist elements which would deny free­ dom to certain groups." The Central Michigan Regional Militia even has a link to a site about £li Edt Vim So a«*nwkt Drtoo. D.M*«y Wwto« H* the 1943Warsa wGhett o uprising,presumabl y to simultaneously show the advantages ofa n armed citizenrywhil e distancing itself from

500yd * the claim that the militia is anti-Semitic. 400yd* TOHITTARGETHERE Others demonstrate their inclusivenessb y link­ FromOto 300yd* ing to the anti-gun controlgroup , Jews for the

AIM AS INDICATED, 1 Preservation ofFirearm sOwnership . ACCORD NG TO DISTANCE OFTARGE T Some militia pages claim to deplore "hate" TT groups, but their definition of"hate " is dubious. One site lumps well-known neo-Nazi, racist groups such as 14Word sPres s and Aryan The on-line voice of militia figure J. J. Johnson. Nations in with organizations such as ADL or the Southern PovertyLa wCente r under an all- E PluribusUnum , the on-line voiceo f J.J . purpose heading of"enemie s ofth e people." Johnson, one ofth e more prominent militia The site operator apparently regards groups spokesmen, features a number ofpage stha t concerned about the dangers posed by armed, list (withaccompanyin gdiagrams ) the "aiming self-appointed "patriots" as morallyequivalen t points for a full man-sized target to show to groups that advocate the destruction ofpeo ­ where to aim to hit the target in mid-chest" at ple because ofthei r race or religion. various distances up to 500yards . And there are a large number ofsite s with information Other militias and militia-oriented WebSite s about how to buy guns and allsort s of survival eagerly embrace racisman danti-Semitism . equipment. The Patriot KnowledgeBas e Home Page promi­ ers who come to that particular newsgroup. nently features that forged, hoary staple of Often the discussionsdegenerat e into "flames," anti-Semitic literature. TheProtocols of the ad-hominem, frequently obscenity-filled Learned Elders ofZion. Jacli McLamb, a former attacks. The newsgroups, especiallythos e deal­ Phoenix policemanwh o actively promotes ing with controversy, often generate more rage militia membership and who is the founder of than wisdom, but itbecome s fairly easy to Police Againstth e NewWorl d Order, has a site identify individuals who share commonview s that has, among others, a link to the Liberty and they can be reached by E-mail. In this Lobby's Spotlight page. The Delta Press, a site way, people with similar views, though sepa­ that is linked to a number ofmiliti a sites rated by vast distances, can meet the like- including the U.S. Militia, sells a varietyo f minded and exchange ideas. books about guns and tactical marksmanship. In addition, it prominentlyfeature s an ad for A variationo fth e newsgroup isth e private The Tumer Diaries,Willia m Pierce's racist, anti- mailing list. These mail lists can be used to Semitic fantasy ofwhite , militia-like groups ris­ cement group solidarityan d also allow people ing up to cleanse the earth of all nonwhites with common viewst o fmd each other They and Jews in a catastrophic war ofnuclea r anni­ can then use E-mail to continue a more private hilation. discussion. Anumbe r of militia, "common law" and conspiracy-mongeringmai l lists with names such as Patriots, Lawan d Justice, Republic-of-Tfexas and Free World Order ("fight­ I lU' I UliKT DiJll ies ing . . .Ne wWorl d Order type-tyranny") are mm easily accessible on the Internet.

E-mail is the Internet technology for private communication. It provides a channel for extremely rapid communicationamon g indi­ viduals or groups. While the merchandising of extremist ideas takes place on the Weban d public debate about extremist beliefs ragesi n the newsgroups, the extremists can talk pri­ vately or plan among themselves. The Delta Press, a Web site linkedt o the U.S. Militia page, features an ad for The Turner Diaries. For the paranoia-driven militia community, such communicationdoe s have one drawback: While the World Wide Webreache s a general it is not reallyprivate . Anything that passes audience, the Usenet, a collection of public over the Internet is potentially open to inter­ bulletin boards or community discussion ception and this creates real anxiety for militia- groups, allowsfo r more personalized propagan­ oriented Internet users. Consequently, they dizing and recruiting. Several newsgroups pro­ make use ofencryptio n technologytha t hides vide a center for militia and conspiracy-orient­ the content ofthei r communications. This ed discussions. In these newsgroups, people makes the contents unreadable by anyone write letters to the entire communityo fread ­ without the "key"t o decipher the message. A

36 software program called PGP (short for Pretty less expensive "Web-TV" devices that connect Good Privacy) that makes encryption of E-mail users through TV top adapters and a phone a relativelysimpl e matter is availablea s "free­ line —hav e the potential for sparkinga n even ware" on the Internet. Extremists frequently greater expansion ofth e Internet audience. post their "public" PGP key on their Web sites These lower-priceddevice s and the trend to or in their newsgroup messages. Using this flat-rate unlimitedacces s have the potential to public key, anyone can write to them and allow the less affluent or less technologically encode the message with it. Butonl y the recip­ adventurous to go on-line, "surfth e Web," and ient, the holder ofth e "private"key , can read send E-mail. Andi t is among this group that the message. the militia movement finds many ofit s most eager adherents.

Web-savvy extremists such as RandyTroch ­ Thchnological devel­ mann, one ofth e founders ofth e Militia of opments in comput­ Montana, are aware ofthis . The Internet is "THE GREAT EQUALIZER," proclaimsa flyer er communications for an Internet advertising service thatlist s are likelyto increase Trochmann as an "Independent Representa­ militia interest in tive." Distributedalon g with an announcement for a "Self-Sufficiency and Preparedness Expo" the Internet. held in Spokane, Washington,i n early February 1997, the brochure declares that "Unlike mass- Tfechnological developments in computer com­ media advertising, a Webpag e is an effective munications are likely to increase militia inter­ target-marketing tool." Rhetorically asking, est in the Internet. In the last year or two, the "How DoSuccessfu l People and Movements number ofpeopl e around the world using the Become Successful?"i t provides a somewhat Internet explodedt o an estimated 35 million ominous answer: "TheyI^k e Action!" It urges: by the end of 1996. While the staggering "Do yourselfan d America a favor Whetheryo u growth rate may be slowing, new wayso f realize it or not, your future is ONLINE!" accessing the Internet —high-spee d cable TV modems, low-cost"Interne t appliances" that are simply stripped down computers, or even Preparedness Expos

Anti-government extremists are attempting to icans who attempt to oppose the NewWorl d recruit sympathizers at gatherings known as Order "Preparedness Expos." These expos, which have been held in cities across the country The hatred promoted at these expos isdirecte d since 1989, are advertised as conventions on not only against the Governmentbu t against "Emergency Preparedness," addressing such minority groups as well. Atrecen t expos in topics as "Self-Reliant Living," "Food and Water Orlando and Denver, Christian Identitylitera ­ Storage" and, cryptically,"Constitutiona l ture was freely available. Anti-Semitic tractsb y Issues." They attract survivalists, outdoorsmen, Eustace MuUins have also appeared. Pro-militia firearms enthusiasts and allsort s ofconspirac y and pro-"commonla wcourt " materialdistrib ­ buffs. Attendance at these events has ranged uted at expos has contained vicious anti- from a few hundred to thousands. Semitism.

Most booths at the shows do sell materials on Dan Chittock, who has been organizingexpo s "preparedness" or survivalism but many semi­ since 1989, has said, "We are not out to offend nars and speeches are devoted to extremist pol­ anybody. ... I don't feel there ishatefulnes s at itics and conspiracytheories . Exposove r the the show at all. These are down-to-earth, salt- last two years have featured several of the of-the-earth people who are trustworthy Amer­ most prominent names in the anti-government icans." Chittockclaim stha t he does not allow extremist movement: Mark Koernke, BoGritz , racist material at the events. Butth e evidence Jack McLamb, BobFletcher , John li-ochmann to the contrary is overwhelming. and J. J. Johnson.

At a 1996 expo in Orlando,J .J . Johnson warn­ ed that the Atlanta Olympics would bring "mar­ At recent expos in tial law"t o the United States. Other alarmist Orlando and Den­ themes fed to Expo audiences claim that the ver, Christian Ident­ Government perpetrated the OklahomaCit y bombing and that Federal authorities are build­ ity literature was ing concentration camps to incarcerate Amer­ freely available. STATE-by-STATE

WesternState s greater Phoenixan d reportedly also has met in Pinal County. As in other parts ofth e country, the Western • The Greater Arizona Mutual Protection states overall have experienced little growthi n Association, which is affiliated with Arizona militia activity,bu t have witnessed substantial Sons and Daughters of Liberty, meets in expansion of"commo nla w court" operations. Glendale, about 10mile s west of Phoenix. It Militias are strongest and most widespread in has about 20 members. Arizona and New Mexico, and they have declined in Colorado, Washington, Idaho, Tfen members ofa Phoenixgrou p dubbed the Montana and Wyoming. "Common law courts," "Viper Militia" by law enforcement officials however, have begun to springu p instate s pleaded guilty in December 1996 to charges of across the West, most notably in Arizona, providing explosivesinstructio n and avariet y California, Oregon andWashington . of weapons charges. They were sentenced on March 18, 1997.Two additiona lVipe r mem­ Alaska bers, Christopher Floyd and Charles Knight, face similar charges and are scheduled to be Monthly "commonla w court" meetings have tried in spring 1997. been held in the Anchorage Public Library.

Arizona There are currently two established "common Feelings ofanti-governmen t hostility have law courts" in the state, but sources say at least been increasingthroughou t Arizona, and have two dozen more are beginningt o organize. In encouraged the formation ofa t least one mili­ Mesa, 25mile ssoutheas t ofPhoenix , a group tia in every county. Sources say most ofthes e called the Arizona Tawnship meets regularlyi n groups are deliberately small, secretive and a church. The TDwnship has hosted a national loosely-organized; an estimate ofthei r num­ meeting of"commo nla w court" activists. An bers is therefore difficult. offshoot ofth e Arizona Tawnship called the Arizona TDwnship Association convenes in Several larger, more visible militias are also Ihcson. Three ofit s members were convicted engaged in paramilitary training: in late 1996b y a Pima Countyjur y in connec­ tion with liens the trio had filed against the • The state's largest and best organized group property ofloca l police officers, prosecutors is the Arizona Sons and Daughters of Lib­ andjudges . They face up to three years in erty in Prescott Valley. It isle db y David prison. D'Addabbo and has between 25 and 50 members. Also in Ticson, "commonla w court"activis t • The ConstitutionMiliti a of 1791, locatedi n Peter Cojanis,wh o describes himself as Cornville, isle db y Sheila Reynolds,an d "Prosecutor, Commander-inChie f byGran d comprises about 20 members. Reynoldsreg ­ Jury Mandate ofAugus t 18, 1994,"ha s issued a ularly communicates with militia sympa­ number ofphon y court documents over the thizers on the Internet and publishes a mili­ years, some ofwhic h have includedanti - tia-oriented newsletter Semitic diatribes. • Aloosely-kni t militia called the Arizona Rangers conducts weapons trainingi n California Another California Freemen associate, John Militia activity has slowedi n California, while Patrick McGuire ofSant a Rosa,studie d at the "common law courts" have become increasing­ Freemen's Montana compound from ly widespread. In Southern California, militia September to November 1995. In February groups includeth e Constitutional Militia of 1996, he was arrested and charged with harass­ Southern California; the Militia of California, ing and threatening two California judges. headed by D.R. Clark; and the Southwestern McGuire's father reportedly attempted to bail Border Militia, which has about 25 members him out ofa Sonoma County jail usinga phony and isle db y Rick Wolvin. Freemen check. Bail was not granted.

An organization called the Granada Forum, Nine people suspected ofbelongin g to a located inth e San Fernando Valley, regularly Modesto tax protest group called the Juris attracts anti-government activists to its meet­ Christian Assembly are currentlybein gtrie d ings, which feature speeches by militia and on charges related to the 1994beatin go f "common law court" figures. The Forum's Stanislaus CountyCler k KarenMathews . weekly hotline updates callerso ndevelop ­ George K. Reed,hi s father George L. Reed, and ments in the movement. Anoffshoo t of the Roger Knight are accused ofplottin g the attack group is the Granada Pavillion, inGranad a on Mathewsan d getting RogerSteine r to carry Hills. out their plan. Prosecutors assert that the men targeted Mathewsbecaus e earlier she had "Common law court" activitieshav e particular­ refused to remove an IRSlie n on property ly escalated in the San Diegoarea . Regular owned by George L. Reed. During the attack, meetings ofon e "court" have been conducted Mathews was repeatedly beaten and slashed at the American Opinion Bookstore,a clearing ­ with a knife. Her assailant also put an unload­ house for right-wing extremist literature. ed gun to her head. Another "court" has been conveninga t the Holiday Inn in San Diego, with about 100 par­ Colorado ticipants in attendance. Ona t least one occa­ Six militia cellsar e knownt ob e operating in sion, racistbelief s were promoted. Colorado. Tvo ofth e groups are active in the Southeastern corner ofth e state, three are Elsewhere, the Freedom LawSchool , run by located in the Denver metropolitan area and at Peyman Mottahedeh in TUstin, California, least one unit meets in Weld and Larimer teaches students how to ridthemselve s of Counties. While membership numbers have "oppressive taxation and control." In Orange declined, today's activists are more militant. County, "OurOn e Supreme Court"meet srou ­ "Common law court" activityha s slowed fol­ tinely in CostaMes a and Garden Grove. The lowing the indictment of1 3 anti-government "court" has "indicted" and issued phony liens extremists in the state. TWo "courts" continue against 10Orang e Countymunicipa l court to meet, however: the American Lawful Asso­ judges. The level ofth e "court's" activities has ciation, run by Doug Campbell inAdam sCoun ­ fluctuated but was especiallyhig hi n fall 1996, ty, and a group in ColoradoSprings ,le db y following the indictment in Southern California David van Pelt. of Freemen associate Elizabeth Broderick (see "Criminal Activity"). Idaho ing the attendance ofofficial s at the U.S. Mar­ During the standoff between FBI agents and shal's Service, the U.S. District Court, county the MontanaFreemen , an Idaho-based group clerk's office and the U.S. Attorney's office. calHng themselves the Freemen Patriots staged The papers also ordered the officials to have a rally in Lewistown, Montana,i n support of the Freemen triedbefor e their "commonla w the Freemen. court."

Gary DeMott leads the Boise-basedIdah o Sov­ New Mexico ereignty, a "commonla w court"-type group. In There has been some shifting andreorganizin g September 1996, DeMott threatened to have of New Mexico militia groups in the past year state publicofficial s "arrested" because their but membership figures appear steady. Many oaths of office do not include the words "so militias are heavilyarme d and some, like the help me God." Steps were taken to insure the Bernalillo County Militia, conduct paramilitary safety ofth e state employees. training sessions.

Montana Groups operating in the Farmingtonare a are Widespread disenchantment with anti-govern­ part ofth e FourCorner s Patriot Movementan d ment extremists, fueled by the OklahomaCit y reportedly harbor racist views. Other smaller bombing and the Freemen standoff has forced cells with such beliefs are located inth e west­ militias into decline in Montana.Th e Militia of ern part ofNe w Mexico. Montana continues to put out its monthly newsletter. Taking Aim, and to market an as­ Most militias inth e state have joined under the sortment ofmilitia-oriente d literature and sur­ umbrella ofth e NewMexic o Citizens Regulated vivalist paraphernalia. Militia, which has an estimated membership of 300. Its meetings, however, draw no more than The confrontation between the Freemen and 35 people. the FBI began in late March 1996, when Fed­ eral agents attempted to serve arrest warrants There has alsobee n a moderate amount of on 14 members ofth e group on charges of organized "commonla w court" activity.Th e orchestrating a conspiracyt o defraud Federal, Constitutional T^sk Forcehold s regular meet­ state and local governments. The standoff ings at the University of New Mexico Law Lib­ finally ended 81 days later with the peaceful rary and inJanuar y 1997sen t two ofit s mem­ surrender ofth e Freemen to the FBI (see bers to a national training session in Missouri. "Criminal Activity"). The Liberty Forum, another such group, con­ venes weekly. In February 1997, nine members ofth e "Yel­ lowstone CountySuprem e Court"hel d a "ha­ Oregon beas corpus hearing" in Billings in support of The CentralOrego n Regional Militia was active the Montana Freemen, to discuss the possibili­ in Crook, Descute and Jefferson Counties ty ofgettin g the Freemen released from Fed­ through the early part of 1996,bu t has been eral custody. Awee k earlier, one ofth e sup­ quiet in subsequent months. porters issued phony legaldocument s demand­ The state's "commonla w court" movement is In January 1997, authorities arrested Fleshman considerably stronger and more vocal. "The and evicted members ofhi s organization from Common Law Supreme Court ofOregon " is their settlement for refusing to pay back taxes. based in Salem,bu t has also held meetings in the Springfield City Hall and inth e Veteran of Washington Foreign Wars Hall in Creswell. A spokesman Militia activityi nWashingto nStat e has for the group is John David VanHove , who dropped offsomewha t in recent months, but calls himself Johnny Liberty. VanHov eped ­ is still goingo n in at least 12counties :Chelan , dles ReclaimingYour Sovereign Citizenship, a Clark, King, Kitsap, Klickitas, Pierce,Skamania , "common law" how-to manual filled with sam­ Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Yakima and ple pseudo-legal documents, including a"Cert ­ Whatcom. ificate ofExemptio n From Withholding" and a "Sales and Use-Thx Exemption Certificate." He One ofth e main possible deterrents to further also operates the CascadianResourc e Center, a growth inth e state's militia movement was the propaganda mill for the anti-government ex­ indictment in July 1996 ofsevera l members of tremist movement. The Salem"court " has "re­ the Bellingham-based WashingtonStat e Militia, considered" casespreviousl ydecide d upon in on conspiracy charges. genuine courts, and has also issuedlien s against judges and other public officials. The state's "commonla wcourt " movement, on the other hand, appears to be flourishing. "Our One Supreme Court,"whos e leaders in­ "Courts" have been meeting in Snohomish, clude JimmyWilliams , Steven Fair, Gary King, Kitsap and Pierce counties, as well as on Harvey and RonWardell , has met in Wasco Mercer Island, and inWenatche e and Ritzville. County. In Grants Pass, the "United States Dis­ The WashingtonChristia n Jural Society has trict Courto fOregon " has brought "charges" held seminars on subjects related to"commo n against a localjudge . The Multnomah County law." Common LawCourt , also knowna s the Mult­ nomah CountyCommo nLa w Jural Society,i s Wyoming chaired by CharlesStewar t and has attracted While there is little evidence of militiaactivity , about 30 people to its regular sessions. The three "commonla w courts" are knownt o have "court" has "tried"IR S agents and other Fed­ met in the state. One such "court," locatedi n eral officials. Star Valley, also operates a "court" in Idaho. It issued "quiet title"document s to public offi­ An anti-government extremist organization cials. In early 1996, a second "court" convened called the Embassy ofHeave nha s some of the once in Douglas,unde r the leadership ofanti - trappings ofa "commonla w court" group. Its government activistDav e Dameron, and with members print their own drivers'license s and the participationo f 13"jurors. " In Hewlett,a license plates and believe they are exempt "court" affiliated with the "PenningtonCount y from state and Federallaw . The group isbase d Common LawCourt "o f Rapid City, South Da­ on a 34-acre encampment 13mile ssoutheas t kota, met in March 1996, with 14juror s pre­ of Salem and isheade d by Pastor Paul Revere, sent. Severalmember s ofth e "court" are cur­ whose real name is Craig DouglasFleshman . rendy under investigationfo r bank fraud, so further sessions have not been held. It has also

42 become popular among Wyoming activistst o court" group comprising approximatelythre e file phony legal notices declaringonesel fa dozen activistsconvene s regularlyunde r the "Sovereign" citizen and a "Freeman Character" leadership ofSteve n Maye and Andrew San- zone. Maye has also filed "commonlaw " docu­ ments with the clerk'soffic e in Great Barring- ton. In September 1996, Sanzone hosted a lec­ NortheasternState s ture delivered by Eustace MuUins, a veteran anti-Semitic conspiracytheoris t andHolocaus t Anti-government extremist activity in the denier Northeast mirrorsth e nationaltrend : militia groups have receded, takinga backsea t to "common law court" groups and individuals AE REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS employing "commonlaw " tactics. In some states, including Delaware, Maine,Massachu ­ setts, NewYor k and Rhode Island, militias were never a significantthreat . Buti n other states where militias were more prevalent, most notably in Pennsylvania, the movement LIVE FREE ORDI E has been less vocal and has kept a lowerpro ­ file. As for the "commonla w court" movement, anti-government extremists have been known to declare themselves "sovereign citizens" and The Hillsborough Troop of Dragoons operatesa Web file bogus legal documents in Connecticut, site with its sister organizationi nVermont ,Troo p Bo f Maine, Massachusetts, NewJersey , NewYor k the Dragoons. and Pennsylvania. Six"commo nla wcourt " organizations have been formed in Southeast­ New Hampshire ern Pennsylvania; a leader ofa "court"i n Militia activity inth e state has slowedi n recent Massachusetts hosted a lecture bylongtim e months. The Constitutional Militia, headed by anti-Semite Eustace MuUins. Ed Brown, has no more than five members. Maine The White Mountain MUifia, ledb yScot t Stevens, met regularlyi n the early parto f Individuals calling themselves "sovereign citi­ 1996, but was less active toward the closeo f zens" have filed numerous phony legaldocu ­ the year In HUlsborough County,th e HUlsbor- ments with public officials. ough TYoop ofDragoon sha s a membershipo f Maryland about 60,bu t its operations are likely to be The Maryland State Militia meets regularlyi na hampered by the recent conviction ofit s suburb ofWashington , DC. The group is leader, Fitzhugh MacCrae. MacCrae pleaded thought to have as few as a dozen members. guilty in March 1997 to stealing$100,00 0i n mUitary equipment from Fort Devens, a Massa­ Massachusetts chusetts Army base. He also pleaded guilty to In Western Massachusetts, a "common law charges that he lied to an FBI agent when he

4.3 stated that the equipment was stolenb y mem­ Committee also publishes a newsletter, the bers ofa Massachusetts gang. His sentencing WallkillJournal, which has called homosexuals date is set for May14 , 1997. "servants ofSatan. "

The TYoop is also affiliated with the Vermont- Several members ofth e Committee also based Troop Bo fth e Dragoons;the y are collec­ formed "OurOn e Supreme Court"i n Dutchess tively called the Regiment ofDragoons . The County and filed a document in the county Regiment operates a site on the World Wide clerk's office declaringthei r authority to "issue Web which offers a collection of "field manu­ . . .arres t warrants and advertise by bounty to als," including The Terrorist's Handbook and The bring the criminals to speedy trials." Boyd Anarchist's Handbook. Brewer, a "grandjuror " for the "court," owes more than $130,000 to the IRS. Brewerha s re­ New Jersey fused to pay taxes because he claimsth e IRS is Organized militia activityi n the state centers a collection agency for international bankers around the NewJerse y Militia, which holds and not an agency ofth e Federal government. regular meetings in Long Branch. The group has protested U.S. participationi n United Pennsylvania Nations peacekeeping missionsb y burning the In early 1996, approximately 15establishe d U.N. flag, but there is no evidence that it militia organizations were knownt o operate engages inparamilitar y training. around the state with varyingdegree s of activi­ ty, while several additionalmilitia s were in Severalbogu s lienshav e been filed by indepen­ their infant stages. The groups were based in dent "common law" activists operating around Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Bucks, Chemung, the state, but there appear tob e no established Chester, Delaware, Elk, Greene, Jefferson, "court" groups. Legislation counteracting ele­ Lancaster, McKeane, Montgomery, Perry, ments of"commo n law court" activity based on Potter, Warrenan d Wyoming Counties. Since ADL modellegislatio n has been proposed in then, few ofthes e groups have staged public the NewJerse y State Assembly. gatherings, makingi t difficult to assess their current size and strength, or even whether all NewYor k of these groups remain. while there are few signs offull-scale , orga­ nized militia activityi n the state, at least two The Bucktail Militia, located in Potter County, groups have been formed by anti-government has held regular meetings with an attendance activists to address militia-related issues. of about 20 members and claimst o have bri­ gades in McKeane, Warrenan d Elk counties. In A group called the Committee ofCorrespon ­ March 1997, the group's Allegheny Mountain dence reportedly gathers weeklyi n Middle- Division launched a monthly publication. town to discuss a perceived plotb y the U.N. to take over the country. Membershav e argued There has been a flurry of"commo nla w court" that the Federal Reserve is a fraud and that for­ activity in 12 Pennsylvaniacounties . The eign troops are trainingo n U.S. soil. Atleas t "courts" have filed bogus legal documents one member has refused to pay his taxes. The against localjudges , magistrates, police officers and prosecutors and, in some cases, have by Monty Witherspoon, has an estimated mem­ intimidated them with veiled threats. There bership of 100. has been sporadic activity by individuals who declare themselves "sovereign citizens"; in sev­ West Virginia eral cases these activists were indicted or con­ The West Virginia Mountaineer Militia is the victed in connection with their fraudulent acts. only organized militia group in the state, with In addition, six "common law court" groups an estimated 145 members. In October 1996, operate around the state: several of the Mountaineers, including leader Ray Looker, were indicted on Federal charges • In Chester County, William Reil, a self- of conspiring to bomb an FBI fingerprinting described "Free Born sovereign Christian facility (see "Criminal Activity"). Citizen," heads a group called Victims of the Corrupt Legal System. Reil has filed phony lawsuits against numerous public officials and in April 1996 was sentenced to Midwestern States 30 days in prison in connection with disor­ derly conduct, traffic violations and fleeing "Common law courts" have surpassed militias from police. as the chief means by which Midwestern anti- • Sovereign American Citizens has held government extremists attempt to intimidate meetings in Denver, Pennsylvania, and in and harass their enemies. Bogus documents, Lancaster County. Kenneth Allan Hornak, a false liens, phony license plates and pseudo- leader of the group, was arrested in October legal nonsense are plaguing government agen­ 1996 and charged with harassment, disor­ cies throughout the region. Extremists in derly conduct and resisting arrest. About 20 Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and Ohio have of Hornak's followers accompanied him to a been convicted of illegal activity stemming subsequent hearing. from their "common law court" ideology. • A "court" in Lancaster County callingitsel f "Our One Supreme Court" holds bi-monthly Illinois sessions and has a membership of 50. The state's strict law against training with • A group called Free the People Committee weapons for the purpose of fostering civil dis­ has met in York County and is headed by order may be responsible for the nearly com­ Jim Grove. A meeting in early spring 1996 plete absence of visible militia activity in attracted 20 people. Illinois. A number of southern Illinoisans have • Also in York County, Gary Hahn leads One been convicted of crimes connected to "com­ Nation Under God. About 50 people attend mon law court" activity in neighboring its regular sessions. Missouri. Floyd Heubner of Quincy, DonaldL . Shaffer of Mendon and Donald L. Youngo f Vermont Rushville were convicted of tampering with a T-oop B of the Dragoons, an offshoot of the judicial official after they assisted Dennis New Hampshire-based HillsboroughTroo p of Logan (see "Missouri")i n filing a $10.8 million Dragoons, is active in the state, with about 40 bogus lien against a Missouri judge. members. The Second Continental Army, led Indiana they were during the early days of the move­ Active militia units in Indiana include the ment. Mark Koernke (aka Mark from Mich­ Howard County-based Indiana Citizens Volun­ igan), however, continues to appear at anti-gov­ teer Militia and the Tippecanoe County Citi­ ernment gatherings across the country. zens Militia. Other militias operate in the fol­ lowing counties: Laporte, Marshall, Morgan, St. Some militia training exercises and protests Joseph's, Allen, Johnson, Marion, Ripley, War­ continue to take place in Michigan. Nearly 250 rick, Dearborn, Starke, and Kosciusko. militiamen and supporters turned out to protest the anniversary of the United Nations Iowa at the state capitol in October 1996. A "common law court" group inWinneshie k has reportedly held sessions, sent false money With the waning influence of militias in orders to creditors and filed bogus liens against Michigan, anti-government extremists have IRS agents. Another "court" has been active in begun using the tactics of "common law courts" Decorah. to harass and threaten their perceived ene­ mies. The Michigan Jural Society Association, Kansas the "country of Michigan Common-Law venue On December 13, 20 and 27, 1995, an ad was Supreme Court" [sic], and Fathers for Equal run in the Tapeka Metro News listing the Rights have attempted to reject and evade the "Justices" for selected counties in Kansas and true judicial system of the state by producing the 23 rules to be used in those "courts." and distributingpseudo-lega l documents. Activists have issued numerous other notices declaring the establishment ofbogu s judicial State legislators are considering a bill that bodies known as "Our One Supreme Court," would make it a crime to attempt to issue but there has been little actualactivity . bogus legal decisions in the name of these phony courts. Rockie Broaddus, a retired TDpeka police offi­ cer who has reportedly organized "courts" in Minnesota Kansas, signed a bogus document that was sub­ Most Minnesota militias have faded from view mitted to a real court in Florida. over the last year A Duluth-based group call­ ing itself the ArrowheadRegiona l Militia has The Constitutionist Networking Center in distributed propaganda, but does not appear to Baldwin has sent out bogus legal notices and have a significant following. propaganda. The "common law court" movement in Kentucky Minnesota, on the other hand, has grown in Two Kentucky-based militia groups have been recent months. Activity has been reported in active: the KentuckyCitizen s Militia and the T3dd, Otter Tkil, Wadena, Douglas and Ramsey Defenders of Liberty. Counties. One St. Paul-based "common law court" group ordered two county judges to Michigan appear as defendants in their phony tribunal. Michigan-based militia leaders Ray Southwell After ignoringth e notice, one of the judges and Norm Olsen are no longer as prominent as reportedly received an order to pay $10,000 or risk "subsequent common law action,"i n "Our Nebraska One Supreme Court." "Common law court" pseudo-jurists in Nebraska are among the nation's most active. Minnesota agitators have sent numerous other Groups using the name "Our One Supreme bogus documents to government officials and Court" have flourished across the state, have filed bogus liens against them. Three employing most of the tactics typical of the Minnesotans, Marilyn Kerkvliet, Ronald movement nationwide:declaration s of sover­ Kerkvliet and Roger Leffler, were convicted on eignty, indictments against government offi­ mail fraud charges in connection with tactics cers, intimidation ofla w enforcement, the fil­ learned from the MontanaFreemen . ing ofbogu s liens and the holding of in absen­ tia "trials" of their perceived enemies. "Com­ Missouri mon law court" activistshav e flooded Nebraska The more extreme militias in Missouri have courts with nonsensical documents and tirades become less visible, while moderate militia­ that claim to represent the true "common law." men have become increasingly involved in the Among the most active groups have been the "common law court" movement. York and DouglasCount y branches of"Ou r One Supreme Court." A number of militia groups remain on the scene, including 10brigade s of the Missouri Ohio Militia. Other active militias are: the First Most militias in Ohio have opted to become Missouri Volunteers, ledb y John Moore; the less visible, lettingth e "commonla w courts" Northern Missouri Regional Militia; the Gray serve as the public face of anti-government Wolf Regiment; the Crawford County Militia; extremism. Phelps County Militia; Gasconade County Militia; Iron County Militia; AshGrov e Militia; Forty-seven Ohio counties have known militia and a group known as Boone'sRangers . units. The Ohio Unorganized Militia maintains several small units in the state, but is less vocal Numerous "commonla w courts" have operated and visible than in the past. E Pluribus Unum, throughout the state. Dennis Logan led a a militia propaganda outfit, also holds "com­ "court" in Lincoln County that had attracted mon law court" sessions. Other militias in­ dozens of activistsbefor e Logan and several clude the Franklin County Militia, the Guard­ followers were convicted of filing a $10.8 mil­ ians of American Liberty and the Buckeye lion bogus lien against ajudge . Other Lincoln Brigade. County agitators reportedly filed similar liens against a prosector and a state trooper Some "Common law court" tactics have been used in Missouri "commonla w court" activists have every county of the state. Bogus "courts" oper­ even tried to seek damages against govern­ ate in Claremont, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Licking ment officials in real courts using their own and Wayne Counties. Using the name, "Our twisted version of the law.Th e suits, which One Supreme Court," activistshav e convened seek damages of over half a billion dollars, are bogus tribunals and charged judges and law pending. enforcement authorities with treason, among other crimes.The y have also filed coundess false liens against public officials. South Dakota SouthernState s Little militia activityha s taken place in South Dakota since the 1996 demise of the Gregory- Organized militias continue to meet in most of based TO-States Militia. the Southern states, but there has been a no­ ticeable decline in their public activities. This Lawmakers in South Dakota faced with the may stem in part from the successful prosecu­ threat of "common law court" activityi n their tion of militia activists who committed crimes state have introduced legislationt o protect peo­ in the region. "Commonla w courts," on the ple who have had bogus liens and other legal other hand, are becoming increasingly popular papers filed against them. In the most extreme forums for anti-government extremists, particu­ such case, "common law court" activists issued larly inTbxas . a $25 million lien against a Deputy United States Marshal. Alabama The Gadsden Minutemen,th e most active and Wisconsin well-known militia group in Alabama, contin­ Long home to the Posse Comitatus and one of ues to conduct paramilitary training on week­ its offshoots. Family Farm Preservation, Wis­ ends. Mike Vanderboegh is active with a group consin has seen a considerable amount of called the 1st Alabama Militia. "common law court" activityi n recent years. Indeed, veterans of the Posse and Family Farm have promoted the formation ofthes e so-called Arkansas courts. There are several active militia groups in Arkansas: The Washington County Militia, Donald Iteloar, who has led a Wisconsin mili­ which boasts its own handbook; the Unor­ tia, has attempted to organize "common law ganized Militia Affiliate in Boone, and the courts" across the state. Ii"eloar and several col­ Pyatt Patriots in Marion County. Stewart leagues have issued papers declaringtha t their Douglas Waterhouse, a self-proclaimed militia "Supreme Court" will be backed by a "militia" leader from Arkansas, charged with several to prevent miscarriages of justice. Federal offenses, is in prison without bail in Billings, Montana. Having faced the menace of the Posse Comita­ tus in years past, Wisconsin has already crimi­ "We the People" in Yellville, Arkansas, is the nalized the filing of false liens, impersonating a center of "common law court" activityi n Ar­ public official and simulationo f the legal pro­ kansas. It is under the leadership of Earl"Bud " cess. In the wake of the recent rise of "com­ McNaught and Evelyn Kelly, who spread their mon law courts," the state legislature is consid­ propaganda via fax. McNaught has filed a $9.3 ering a bill that would enhance the penalties million lien against an officer who arrested for such activityan d make it easier forvictim s him in connection with a traffic violation. As to fmd legal relief many as 20 additional activists operating indi­ vidually in Arkansas have asserted that the official courts have no jurisdiction. Florida members were convicted of stockpiling pipe Numerous militia groups operate throughout bombs in 1996 (see "Criminal Activity"). the state of Florida. Among the more promi­ nent Florida militiasare : the Panhandle Militia; In January 1996, Louis Debroux, a Georgia- the Florida Militia 2nd Regiment, and the 19th based "common law court" activist, pleaded Regiment, Brevard County Militia. The latter guilty to plotting to murder a local judge (see group reportedly engages in paramilitary train­ "Criminal Activity"). ing. Louisiana Other Florida militiasinclud e several regi­ In addition to the Norwela Common Militia ments of the Florida State Militia; the North and its associated fax network in Bossier City Central Florida Militia; the North Florida Pat­ and Shreveport, there are the Lafayette-based riots Network; the Northwest Florida Regional Militia of Louisiana, and the Red River Militia Militia, Alligator Brigade; the Florida Highlan­ (which has also been active in Tfexas), also der Patriots; the Marion County Citizens Mil­ based in Bossier City. The Red River Militia itia; the Panhandle Militia; the Constitutional was founded by Robert and Jon Whittington, Militia of Florida; the Pasco Constitutional who are cousins. Robert Whittington was ar­ Militia, and the Patriot TrainingNetwork . rested by the FBIi n the spring of 1996 and charged with impersonating a Federal officer Dan Daniels of the notoriously racist National News reports at the time indicated that approx­ Association for the Advancement of White imately 1,000 weapons were found in his pos­ People has attempted to organize an NAAWP session. Federal charges against Whittington Militia but has gained few recruits. were dropped, but he still faces state charges of false imprisonment and impersonating a law "Common law courts" operate in at least three officer Florida counties. These groups include the Restoration Tawnship Jural Society in Brevard There are several active "common law court" County, "Our One Supreme Court" in Palm groups: the "Common Law Court of Louisiana," Beach County, and We The People, in Hills­ Enlightened Patriots, the LouisianaPro-Gu n borough County. Court clerks across the state Coalition and the Common Law Defense Fund, have received reams ofbogu s documents pro­ all in or around Lafayette. A group called the duced by these and other pseudo-legal act­ Defenders of the Republic meets in the Baton ivists. Some government officials reportedly Rouge area. The memberships of the Lafayette have been targeted with bogus liens against organizations overlap somewhat. their property. Mississippi Bob Johansen, formerly of the Florida Militia Militia and "common law court" activities are 2nd Regiment, has advocated the organization rare in Mississippi. The state's militia opera­ of a "common law court." tions center around the Mississippi Militia, headed by Drew Rayner and based in Ocean Georgia Springs. In February 1997, more than a dozen The 112th Georgia Militia was active until its militia members from several states showed their support for a Southaven family threat­ on the compound throughout the 81-day stand­ ened with eviction by the city. Along with the off with the FBI. The Hances fled to Montana other militiamen, Rayner stood outside the after skippingtria l in North Carolina on char­ home and said he hoped a peaceful solution ges that they had assaulted a police officer and could be reached, but threatened, "force would resisted arrest in August 1995. Steven Hance be met with force." As of this writing, the situa­ had been stopped in his truck by a police offi­ tion has not been resolved, but no one has cer for driving without a license plate. Police resorted to violence. say he refused to present a driver's license, and that his sons, also in the truck, drove the truck Legal notices of property liens for extravagant away while several police officers had their amounts of money have appeared in some hands caught in the vehicle's open windows. local Mississippi newspapers. In April 1996, a The three men are now incarcerated in Mon­ former affiliate of the Posse Comitatus in Tfexas tana on charges related to the Freemen stand­ caused a scene in a HarrisonCount y court off room by challengingth e validity of the court. He was held in contempt, but charges were TWo "common law courts" calling themselves never pursued by the court. "Our One Supreme Court" meet in the state, one in Kinston, and the second in Franklin. North Carolina Despite the racist nature of many "common The Alamance Minutemen,a militia led by law" precepts, the Kinston-based "court's" Jeff Rudd, reportedly includes five other mem­ members are African-American. Members have bers: "Intelligence Officer" Paul Jordan, Walt filed meritless lawsuits against public officials Dannel, William Parham Edwards, William in their own and neighboring counties, and in Stogmer and William Sullivan. The North one case, have refused to make mortgage pay­ Carolina Civil Militia, formerly known as the ments. More than 30 individuals list them­ North Carolina Citizen's Militia, serves as an selves as "jurors" of the "court." The "court" in umbrella organization for statewide militia Franklin is led by self-declared "chief justice" groups. It produces and disseminates training Peter Stern, and attracts about 100 people to its manuals and other propaganda materials, and monthly meetings. Members have filed Free­ has a site on the World Wide Web. William man-style liens in Wayne, Lenoir, Haywood, O'Brien, a "common law" activist in Wayneville, Macon and Cherokee Counties. In March 1996, familiarizes members of the group with "com­ two of its "justices" were arrested and charged mon law court" tactics. with threatening a Federal prosecutor and intimidating an IRSagen t with their pseudo- The Citizens for the Reinstatement of Consti­ legal documents. tutional Government, a 60-member "common law court"-style group with militia sympathies, Oklahoma holds meetings in Monroe and Matthews. Ray Lampley, leader of the now-defunct Steven Hance, and his sons James and John, Oklahoma Constitutional Militia, and two have said they attended meetings of the group. cohorts, were convicted in April 1996 of plot­ In March 1996, the Hances hid out on the ting to bomb targets including the Houston ranch of the Montana Freemen, and remained office of the Anti-Defamation League, the

,50 Southern Poverty Law Center, gay bars and tic burial cache containers for food, ammuni­ abortion clinics. Lampley was sentenced in tion and firearms. July 1996 to 11 1/2 years in prison. Tennessee United Sovereigns of America in Del City, Harry Bibee, leader of the Tennessee Volunteer Oklahoma, is a clearinghouse for "common law Militia, has distributed militia propaganda. He court" and other conspiracy-oriented materials, has promoted the activities of militias in neigh­ including the anti-SemiticProtocols of the Elders boring states and has made claims about the of Zion. The organization, whose leaders alleged "unlawful" activityo f Federal law include Jerry Henson, Wayne Gunwall and enforcehient. Darrell Freeh, has also held seminars teaching "common law"tactic s and has sold phony Free­ The Chester County Clerk's office has report­ men-style money orders. Henson was convict­ edly received bogus legal documents from a ed in June 1996 and later sentenced to eight local "common law court" advocate. years in prison in connection with printing and selling the bogus checks. In January 1997, Texas Gunwall pleaded guilty to conspiringt o avoid In the months after the Oklahoma City bomb­ paying taxes by harassing U.S. T-easury De­ ing, militias were found to be flourishing partment employees. throughout the state. Many elements of the Ttexas militia movement have now taken a new South Carolina turn, however, making it more difficult to Several militias are active in the state: the assess their activities as a distinct group. An South Carolina Civilian Militia Corps, headed estimated 12 militias have folded their opera­ by Ian Roebuck of Taylors; the South Carolina tions into the Republico f Ttexas, an anti-govern­ Citizen Militia based in Clearwater, and the ment group which claims that Ttexas was ille­ Southeastern States Militia, a self-styled militia gally annexed by the U.S., and views itself as umbrella organization. Each militia organiza­ the true Lone Star State. The TexasConstitu ­ tion supports an Internet Web site and, in tional Militia, for example, once the strongest January 1997, Dan Ellenbergo f the Southeast­ and most prominent militia in North Texas, is ern States Militia published "Articles of Alli­ now working with leaders of the RoT. The RoT ance for the Southeastern States" and a "Militia has established its own county-based militia- Code of Conduct" on the Southeastern States type cells which it calls "defense forces." Militia Home Page. A militia group in the Dallas-FortWort h area, "Common law court" adherents are active in composed of ex-bikers, is reportedly heavily various parts of the state. A tax resistance peri­ armed and potentially violent. They conduct odical, the Patriot Cannon, is published in training exercises at several locales west of the Anderson, and an outfit called AWARE sells Dallas-Fort WorthMetroplex . pseudo-legal how-to tapes and is based in Greenville. There has been an explosion of "common law court" activitythroughou t the state. The most A number of local gun shows have been doing prominent activists are members of the Repub­ a boomingbusines s in the sale and use of plas­ lic of Ttexas, who have filed thousands of bogus liens and other pseudo-legal documents against serves as a propaganda outlet for the "common Ifexas officials ranging from Governor George law court" movement. The group has attracted Bush to local officers. The RoT also operates between 300 and 500 people to its bi-monthly two "common law courts," located in Lubbock meetings. and Arlington. Virginia But other activists have also played a role in In addition to hosting several active militia clogging the Tbxas courts. An Orange County groups, Virginia is home to Eustace MuUins, a woman filed a $1.8 billion phony commercial leading anti-Semitic propagandist, who fre­ lien against Tbxas politicians claiminga quently appears at militia and anti-government "breach of political duties." In Liberty County, events (see "Anti-Semitism and Racism"). The a man issued paperwork declaring himself a Virginia Citizens Militia is led by a 25-year-old "freeman" in an effort to avoid paying a highway worker, Douglas Jeffreys. Jeffreys is $300,000 sexual harrassment judgment against also the spokesman for another group, the First him. Thirty Bexar County activists have filed Virginia Freeborn Civilian Militia. A militia "default judgments" against local officials. named VIGIL is located in the Tidewater region of Virginia; it has approximately 10 "Common law courts" have convened in Harris members and puts out two publications. County, Austin, Kerrville, Victoria, Houston, Another group. Citizens in Action, claims 40 Fort Worth and San Antonio.Alfre d Adask, members across Virginia and is led by Don Dallas publisher of the "common law"-oriented Doyle. It describes itself as pro-gun and pro- magazine, Anti-Shyster, also runs an organiza­ American. tion called Citizens for Legal Reform, which Appendices

APPENDIX A which causes an immediate danger of or results in damage or injury to the property or person of any otherindividual . ADL MODEL ANTI-PARAMILITARY TRAINING STATUTE (2) The term "firearm" means any weapon which is designed to or may readily be A. (1) Whoever teaches or demonstrates to converted to expel any projectile by the action any other person the use, apphcation, or mak­ of an explosive; or the frame or receiver of any ing of any firearm, explosive, or incendiary such weapon. device, or technique capable of causing injury or death to persons, knowing, or having reason to know or intending that same will be unlaw­ (3) The term "explosive or incendiary fully employed for use in, or in furtherance of device" means (a) dynamite and all other a civil disorder; or forms of high explosives, (b) any explosive bomb, grenade, missile, or similar device, and (c) any incendiary bomb or grenade, fire bomb, (2) Whoever assembles with one or or similar device, including any device which more persons for the purpose of training with, (i) consists of or includes a breakable container practicing with, or being instructed in the use including a flammable liquid or compound, of any firearm, explosive or incendiary device, and a wick composed of any material which, or technique capable of causing injury or death when ignited, is capable of igniting such flam­ to persons, intending to employ unlawfully the mable liquid or compound, and (ii) can be car­ same for use in, or in furtherance of a civil ried or thrown by one individualactin g alone. disorder —

Shall be fined not more than $ or (4) The term "law enforcement officer" means any officer or employee of the United imprisoned not more than years, or both. States, any state, any political subdivision of a state, or the District of Columbia, and such B. Nothing in this section shall make term shall specifically include, but shall not be unlawful any act of any law enforcement offi­ limited to, members of the National Guard, as cer which is performed in the lawful perfor­ defined in section 101(9) of titie 10, United mance of his official duties. States Code, members of the organized militia C. As used in this section: of any state or territory of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia, not included within the (1) The term "civil disorder" means any definition of National Guard as defined by such public disturbance involving acts of violence section 101(9), and members of the Armed by assemblages of three or more persons. Forces of the United States. APPENDIX B B. (1) Nothing in this section shall make unlawful any act of any law enforcement offi­ ADL MODEL "COMMON LAW COURTS" cer or legal tribunal which is performed under STATUTE lawful authority; and

A. (1) Anyperso n who deUberately imper­ (2) Nothing in this section shall prohibit sonates or falsely acts as a public officer or tri­ individuals from assembling freely to express bunal, public employee or utility employee, opinions or designate group affiliation or asso­ including but not limited to marshals, judges, ciation; and prosecutors, sheriffs, deputies, court personnel, or any law enforcement authority in connec­ (3) Nothing in this section shall prohibit tion with or relating to any legal process affect­ or in any way limit a person's lawful and legiti­ ing person(s) and property; or mate access to the courts or prevent a person from institutingo r responding to legitimate (2) Anyperso n who simulates legal and lawful legal process. process including, but not limited to, actions affecting title to real estate or personal proper­ C. Asuse d in this section: ty, indictments, subpoenas, warrants, injunc­ tions, liens, orders, judgments, or any legal (1) The term "legal process" means a documents or proceedings; knowing or having document or order issued by a court or filed or reason to know the contents of any such docu­ recorded for the purpose of exercising jurisdic­ ments or proceedings or the basis for any tion or representing a claim against a person or action to be fraudulent; or property, or for the purpose of directinga per­ son to appear before a court or tribunal, or to (3) Anyperso n who, whUe acting false­ perform or refrain from performing a specified ly under color of law, takes any action against act. "Legal process" includes,bu t is not limited person(s) or property; or to, a summons, lien, complaint, warrant, injunction, writ, notice, pleading, subpoena, or (4) Anyperso n who falsely under color order of law attempts in any way to influence, intim­ (2) The term "person" means an indi­ idate, or hinder a public official or law enforce­ vidual, public or private group incorporated or ment officer in the discharge ofhi s or her offi­ otherwise, legitimate or illegitimate legal tri­ cial duties by means of, but not limited to, bunal or entity, informal organization, official threats of or actual physical abuse, harassment, or unofficial agency or body, or any assem­ or through the use of simulated legal process— blage of individuals.

Shall be guilty of and fined not more than $ or imprisoned not more than years, or both. INDEX

A Adask, Alfred, 52 ADL, 1-2, 11,26 , 35,44 ,53-5 4 African-Americans, 6 Alabama, 6, 18,4 8 Alamance Minutemen, 50 Alaska, 12,3 9 Alfred P. Murrah Building,2 3 Allegheny Mountain Division, 44 Alligator Brigade, 49 American Lawful Association, 40 American Opinion Bookstore, 40 American Statesmen, 5 America's Promise Ministries, 19 Anarchist'sHandbook, 44 Anti-Defamation League, 2, 11,27 ,5 0 Anti-Government Extremist Movement, 4, 8, 19,25 ,35 ,3 8 Arizona, 6, 11,20 ,3 9 Arizona Patriots, 20 Arizona Rangers, 39 Arizona Sons and Daughters of Liberty,3 9 Arizona Tbwnship, 6,3 9 Arizona Tbwnship Association, 6,3 9 Arkansas, 7, 25-26,4 8 Arrowhead Regional Militia, 46 Articles ofAllianc e forth e Southeastern States,5 1 Aryan Nation LibertyNet ,3 3 Aryan Nations, 21,26 , 33,3 5 Aryan Republican Army ("ARA"),2 0 Ash Grove Militia, 47 Assault Weapons, 22 Atlanta Olympics, 38 AWARE, 15, 37,5 1 B Babbitt, Bruce,2 0 Bailey, Use, 5 Barbee, Charles, 19 Beam, Louis, 31,3 3

55 Bernalillo County Militia, 41 Berry, Robert, 19 Bibee, Harry, 51 Bible, 1, 12-13, 19-20, 27 Bill of Rights, 34 Billingsley, Brenda, 5 BlackHelicopters OverAmerica: Strike Forcefor the New World Order, 24 Blacks, 20, 29 Bogus Liens, 2, 4, 9, 14-15, 17, 44, 46-49, 52 Boone's Rangers, 47 Borden, Merrillee Kinzee, 16 Brady Law,2 2 Branch Davidian, 22 Brescia, Michael, 21 Brewer, Boyd, 44 Broaddus, Rockie, 46 Broderick, Elizabeth, 6, 8, 16,4 0 Brown, Ed,4 3 Buckeye Brigade, 47 Bucktail Militia, 44 Bulletin Boards, 33, 36 Bureau ofAlcohol , Tbbacco andFirearms , 2 Burton, RichardFrank ,1 0 Bush, George W.,1 3

California, 6, 16-17, 31, 39-40 Calledto Serve, 28 Campbell, Doug, 40 Carter, Theodore, 10 Cascadian Resource Center, 42 Center forAction , 28 Central Intelligence Agency, 24 Central Michigan Regional Militia, 35 Central Ohio Unorganized Militia, 35 Central Oregon Regional Militia, 41 Chanel, Tbby,1 7 Chapman, David Andrew, 11 Chase Manhattan Bank, 5 Chittock, Dan, 38 Christian Identity, 2, 11, 19, 21, 25-27, 31,3 8 Citizens forLega l Reform, 52 Citizens forth e Reinstatement of Constitutional Government, 50 Citizens in Action, 52 Citizens LegalAssistanc e and Strategy Program (CLASP), 13 Clark, D.R., 40 Cojanis, Peter, 39 Collins, Charles, 31 Colorado, 16, 30-31,39-4 0 Colorado Legislature, 30 Columbia University, 22 Columbiana County Unorganized Militia, 4 Columbus National Bank, 21 Committee of Correspondence, 44 Common LawCour to f Louisiana, 49 Common Law Court, 1-8, 10, 12-13, 15, 17, 22, 24, 26-28, 30-31,38-5 2 Common LawDefens e Fund, 49 Common LawSuprem e Courto f Oregon, 42 Computer, 33, 37 Congress, 2, 24, 32, 34 Connecticut, 43 Constitution, 1, 12, 25, 30-31, 34, 39 Constitution Militia of 1791, 39 Constitutional Covenant Community, 28 Constitutional Militia, 7-8, 11, 18, 27, 40, 43, 49-50 Constitutional Militia of Florida, 49 Constitutional Militia of Southern California, 40 Constitutional Party, 32 Constitutional Thsk Force, 41 Constitutionist Networking Center, 46 country of Michigan Common-Lawvenu e Supreme Court, 46 Crawford County Militia, 47 Crawford, Herbert, 6 Crawford, Lynn Truman, 18 Criminal activity, 5, 7, 10, 32, 40-41, 45, 49 Crossovers, 4 D Dameron, Dave, 42 Daniels, Dan, 29, 49 Dannel, Walt, 50 Davison, James, 24 DeBroux, Louis, 13, 49 Defenders of Liberty, 34, 46 Defenders of the Republic, 49 Delaware, 43-44 Delta Press, 36 DeMott, Gary, 41 Dole, Bob, 23 Domestic Counterterrorism Center, 21 Doyle, Don, 52 Duke, Charles, 30 Duke, David,2 8 D'Addabbo, David,3 9 E E Pluribus Unum, 35,4 7 E-mail, 9, 36-37 Eaton, George, 26 Edwards, WilliamParham ,5 0 Ellenberg, Dan,5 1 Elohim City, 11,2 1 Embassy of Heaven, 42 Emergency WarPower sAct ,3 2 Encryption, 36-37 Enlightened Patriots, 49 European Bankers, 22 F Fair, Steven, 42 Family Farm Preservation, 48 Farrakhan, Louis,2 8 Fathers forEqua l Rights, 46 Fax networks, 6 Faxtrees , 33 FBI, 6, 10-11, 16, 18, 20-22, 30, 32, 41,43 , 45, 49-50 Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2 Federal Emergency Management Agency, 23 Federal Government, 2, 8, 10-11, 13, 16, 19-20, 22-24, 27, 30-31,4 4 Federal Reserve, 2, 28, 31-32, 44 Federal Reserve Bank, 28 FEMA, 23-24 First MissouriVolunteers , 47 First Virginia Freeborn Civilian Militia, 52 Fleshman, Craig Douglas, 42 Fletcher, Robert, 23 Florida, 11, 17, 23, 29, 46,4 9 Florida Highlander Patriots, 49 Florida Militia 2ndRegiment , 49 Florida Panhandle Patriots, 23 Florida State Militia, 11,4 9 Florida State Militia 7th Regiment, 11 Floyd, Christopher, 11, 39 Fort Devens, 43 Four Corners Patriot Movement, 41 Fourteenth Amendment, 27 Franklin County Militia, 47 Freeh, Darrell, 27, 51 Free American, 7, 27 Free the People Committee, 45 Free World Order, 36 Freedom Law School, 40 Freedom Lover's Rally, 31 Freemen, 4-8, 15-18, 22, 26, 30-32, 40-41, 47, 50 Freemen Network: An Assaulton the Rule ofLaw, The, 26 Freemen Patriots, 6, 41 Fully Informed Jury,7 G Gadsden Minutemen, 48 Garcia, Sylvia, 15 Gasconade County Militia, 47 Georgia, 11, 31, 49 Ginter, Leonard, 25 Goldman, Sachs, 28 Granada Forum, 40 Granada Pavillion, 40 Gray Wolf Regiment, 47 Great Ohio Preparedness and Self-Reliance Expo of '96, 23 Greater Arizona Mutual Protection Association, 39 Gritz, Bo, 28, 38 Guardians of American Liberty, 47 Gun Control Legislation, 22 Gunwall, Wayne, 51 Guthrie, Richard, 20-21 H Hahn, Gary, 45 Hance, James, 50 Hance, Steven, 50 Harvey, Gary, 42 Henson, Jerry, 17, 51 Hernandez, Hector, 15 Heubner, Floyd, 45 Hildebrand, Scott, 16 Hill, Michael, 5, 12 Hillsborough TYoop of Dragoons, 43, 45 Hobbs, Clifford Keith,1 3 Hofstadter, Richard, 22 Holocaust, 27, 31, 43 Home Pages, 35 Hornak, Kenneth Allan, 45 Hoskins, RichardKelly , 19 HoustonChronicle, 15 I Idaho, 19, 22, 28, 39, 41-42 Idaho Sovereignty, 41 Illinois, 45 Indiana, 46 Indiana Citizens Volunteer Militia, 46 Internal Revenue Service, 17 International bankers, 25, 44 Internet, 6, 25, 33-34, 36-37, 39, 51 Iowa, 16, 21, 46 Iron County Militia, 47

J Jackson, Timothy, 5 Jacobi, Dale, 16 Jeffreys, Douglas, 52 Jewish Institutions, 25 Jews, 20, 25-29,35-3 6 Jews and TheirLies, The, 28 Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, 35 Johansen, Bob, 49 Johnson, J.J., 30, 35, 38 Johnson, Johnny, 18 Jones, Earl, 27 Jordan, Paul, 50 Jubilation Celebration, 31 Jubilee, 7, 27, 31 Juris Christian Assembly, 40 Justus Tbwnship, 22 K Kahl, Gordon, 26 Kansas, 46 Kearns, Michael, 9 Keith, Jim, 24 Kelly, Evelyn, 48 Kentucky, 26, 46 Kentucky Citizens Militia, 46 Kerkvliet, Marilyn, 16, 47 Kerkvliet, Ronald, 16, 47 Keystone Militia, 32 Keystone of the New World Order: The HolocaustDogma of Judaism, 31 Kirk, John, 5, 10 Knight, Charles, 11, 39 Knight, Roger, 40 Koernke, Mark, 23, 38, 46 Kuehnol, Gary, 11 Kuhn, 28 L Lampley, Ray, 11, 18, 27, 50 Landers, Russell Dean, 22 Langan, Peter, 20 Law and Justice, 36 Lazard Brothers, 28 Leaderless resistance, 3, 33 Leffler, Roger, 47 Lehman Brothers, 28 Liberty Forum, 41 Liberty, Johnny, 27-28, 42 Liberty Lobby, 23, 26, 36 Loeb, 28 Logan, Dennis, 13, 45, 47 Looker, Ray, 10, 32, 45 Lord, Bob, 32 Louisiana, 18, 23, 49 Louisiana Pro-Gun Coalition, 49 Lowe, Archie, 14 Luther, Martin, 28 M MacCrae, Fitzhugh, 43 Mack, Marlin, 11 Magna Carta, 1 Maine, 43

HI Marion County Citizens Militia, 49 Mark from Michigan, 23 Martz, Larry, 12 Maryland, 43 Maryland State Militia, 43 Massachusetts, 43-44 Mathews, Karen,4 0 Maye, Steven,4 3. McCarthy, Kevin,2 1 McCormack, Paul, 15 McGuire, John Patrick, 40 McLamb, Jack, 36, 38 McLaren, Richard,8 , 15 McNaught, Earl "Bud",4 8 McVeigh, Timothy, 23 MediaBypass, 7 Mercer Island, 6, 10,4 2 Merrell, Verne Jay, 19 Michigan, 5, 9, 16, 23, 35,4 6 Michigan Jural SocietyAssociation , 46 Midwestern Bank Bandits, 20 Midwestern States,20 ,4 5 Militia Code of Conduct, 51 Militia of California,4 0 Militia of Louisiana, 23,4 9 Militia ofMontan a (M.O.M.), 7,2 6 Militias, 1-4, 8-10, 18-19, 22-25, 28-29, 31, 33, 35, 39, 41,43-49 ,5 1 Millar, Robert, 11 Minnesota, 16,45-4 7 Mississippi, 49-50 Mississippi Militia, 49 Missouri, 13, 18, 32, 35, 41,45 ,4 7 Missouri Militia, 47 Model Statute,2 Montana, 4-9, 15-16, 18, 22-23, 26, 30-32, 34, 37, 39-41,47-48 , 50 Montana "Freemen," 4, 6, 8, 15-16, 18, 22, 26, 31,41 ,47 ,5 0 Moore, John, 32,4 7 Morales, Dan, 14 Mottahedeh, Peyman, 40 Mountaineer Militia, 10,4 5 Mueller, Donald, 12 Mullins, Eustace, 28, 38, 43, 52 Multnomah County Common LawCourt ,4 2 Multnomah County Common LawJura l Society,4 2 N NAAWP Militia, 29, 49 Nashville Jknnessean, 27 Nation of Islam, 28 National Association for the Advancement of White People (NAAWP), 28, 49 Nebraska, 47 Neo-Nazi, 20-21, 26, 33, 35 Nevada, 31 New Hampshire, 43 New Jersey, 2, 43-44 New Jersey Militia, 44 New Mexico, 27, 39, 41 New Mexico Citizens Regulated Militia, 41 New World Order, 2, 11, 23-25, 27, 31, 34, 36, 38 New York, 28, 43-44 Newsgroups, 36 Nichols, Tterry, 5 North Carolina, 6, 50 North Carolina Citizen's Militia, 50 North Carolina Civil Militia, 50 North Central Florida Militia, 49 North Florida Patriots Network, 49 Northern Michigan Regional Militia, 9 Northern Missouri Regional Militia, 47 Northwest Florida Regional Militia, 49 Norwela fax network, 6 o Ohio, 4-6, 12, 21, 23, 35, 45, 47 Ohio Unorganized Militia, 5-6, 12, 35, 47 Oklahoma, 1, 5, 11, 18, 21, 23, 27, 31, 34, 38, 41, 50-51 Oklahoma City Bombing, 1, 5, 11, 23, 31, 38, 41, 51 Oklahoma Constitutional Militia, 11, 27, 50 Olson, Norm, 9 One Nation Under God, 45 Order, The, 20, 31, 34, 38 Oregon, 6, 28, 39, 41-42 Our One Supreme Court in Dutchess County, 44 Our One Supreme Court, 5, 12, 40, 42, 44-47,49-5 0 Our One Supreme Court in the Republic of Ohio, 5 O'Brien, William, 50 P Panhandle Militia, 49 Paper terrorism, 2 ParanoidStyle inAmerican Politics, 22 Pasco Constitutional Militia, 49 Patriot, 5, 9, 34, 36, 41, 49,5 1 Patriot Cannon,5 1 Patriot Knowledge Base Home Page, 34, 36 Patriot Tiraining Network, 49 Pennington County Common LawCourt , 42 Pennsylvania, 10,43-4 5 Pennsylvania Militia, 10 Peters, Pete,3 1 Peterson, Daniel, 8 PGP, 37 Phelps County Militia, 47 Phineas, 19-20 Phineas Priesthood, 19-20 Phony checks, 6, 15-16, 31 Pierce, William, 36 Pitner, John, 8, 10 Planned Parenthood, 19 Police Against the NewWorl d Order, 36 Posse Comitatus, 5, 7, 25-26, 48, 50 Powell, Colin, 23 Preparedness Expo,3 7 Private mailing list, 36 Protocols ofthe Eldersof Zion, 17, 27-28, 36,5 1 Provisional Government ofth e Republic ofIbxas , 13, 15 Pyatt Patriots, 48

Q R Randall, Jeff, 6 Rayner, Drew, 49 ReclaimingYour Sovereign Citizenship, 42 Red River Militia, 49 Reed, George K., 40 Reed, George L., 40 Regiment of Dragoons, 44 Reif, Israel Moses, 28 Reil, William, 45 Reno, Janet, 11 Republic ofTbxas , 2, 8, 13-15, 33,5 1 Restoration Tbwnship Jural Society, 49 Restoring America, 34 Revere, Pastor Paul, 42 Reynolds, Sheila, 39 Rhode Island, 43 Rockefellers, 28 Roebuck, Ian, 51 Rogers, Don, 31 Rogers, James, 10 RoT, 2, 8-9, 13-15, 51-52 Rothschilds, 28 Ruby Ridge, 2, 20, 22 Rudd, Jeff, 50 Russell, Larry, 12 s Sams, Ben, 8 Sanzone, Andrew, 43 Schroder, Eugene, 7-8, 26, 30 Schweitzer, LeRoy, 5, 8-9, 16 Second Continental Army, 45 Secrets of the Federal Reserve, 28 Self-Sufficiency and Preparedness Expo, 37 Shaffer, Donald L., 45 Shortwave radio, 33 Skinhead, 21 Skurdal, Rodney, 9, 16 Snohomish County "common law court," 8 South Carolina, 51 South Carolina Citizen Militia, 51 South Carolina Civilian Militia Corps, 51 South Dakota, 48 Southeastern States Militia, 51 Southern Poverty LawCenter , 11, 35, 51 Southern States, 48 Southwell, Ray, 46 Southwestern BorderMilitia , 40 Sovereign American Citizens, 45 Sovereign American'sHandbook, 2 7 Sovereign Citizens, 1, 27, 43, 45 SPLC, 11 Spokane Spokesman-Review, 19-20 Spodight, 23, 36 Starr, Robert, 11 stedeford, Scott, 21 Stem, Peter, 50 Stevens, Scott, 43 Stewart, Charles, 42 Stogmer, William, 50 Sullivan, William, 50

ThkingAim, 26, 41 Thlmudic Law, 27 Tfebedo, Linda, 31 Tbbedo, Mary Anne, 31 Ibnnessee, 51 Tfennessee Volunteer Militia, 51 Ttrrorist's Handbook, 44 Ifexas, 2, 5, 8-9, 13-15, 17-18, 22, 33, 48-52 Ibxas Constitutional Militia, 8, 18 Thomas, Mark, 21 Tippecanoe County Citizens Militia, 46 Treloar, Donald, 48 Tri-States Militia, 48 TYochmann, David, 27 Trochmann, John, 8, 23, 26, 38 IVochmann, Randy, 37 Troop B of the Dragoons, 43-45 Turner Diaries, 36 lyler. Rick, 30 u U.S. Army, 23 U.S. Attorney's office, 41 U.S. Bank, 19 U.S. District Court, 41 U.S. Marshal's Service, 41 U.S.A. First, 9, 17 United Nations, 11, 14, 22-23, 32, 34, 44, 46 United Sovereign Citizens, 27 United Sovereigns of America, 17, 51 United States Constitutional Militia, 7, 18 United States District Court of Oregon, 42 University of Virginia, 24 Unorganized Militia, 4-6, 12, 35, 47 Usenet, 36 V van Pelt, David, 40 Vanderboegh, Mike,4 8 Vermont, 43,4 5 Victims of the Corrupt Legal System, 45 VIGIL, 52 Vigilantes ofChristendom: TheStory of the Phineas Priesthood, 19 Viper Militia, 11,3 9 Virginia, 10, 24, 32, 45, 52 Virginia Citizens Militia,5 2 Von Hove, John David, 27 w Waco, 2, 20, 22, 32 Warburg, 28 Wardell, Ron, 42 Warning on the Web, 34 Warsaw Ghetto, 35 Washington, 3, 5, 8, 10, 37, 39, 42-43, 48 Washington Christian Jural Society, 42 Washington County Militia,8 , 48 Washington State Militia,8 , 10,4 2 Waterhouse, Stewart, 7, 18,4 8 We The People, 16,48-4 9 Weaver, John, 26 Weaver, Randy, 22 West Virginia, 10, 32,4 5 West Virginia Mountaineer Militia,4 5 White Mountain Militia,4 3 Whittington, Jon, 49 Whittington, Robert, 49 Whya Bankrupt America?, 28 Wickstrom, James, 7,2 6 Williams, Jimmy, 42 Wisconsin, 48 Witherspoon, Monty, 45 World Wide Web, 33-36, 44, 50 Wyoming, 39, 42-44

X Y Yahweh, 19, 26 Yellowstone County Supreme Court, 41 Young, Donald L., 45 z

1stAlabam a Militia, 48 1st Missouri Volunteers Militia, 32 2nd National Command Seminar, 8 7th Division United States Constitutional Militia, 18 19th Regiment BrevardCount y Militia, 49 112th Georgia Militia, 11, 49 Anti-Defamation Leagueo f B'nai B'rith

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