A Look Inside an Anti-Government Militia - The Three Percenters: POLICY REPORT - Newlines Institute
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POLICY REPORT
The Three Percenters:
A Look Inside an
Anti-Government Militia
February 2021
The Three Percenters:
A Look Inside an
Anti-Government Militia
By Alejandro J. Beutel and Daryl Johnson
Contents
Executive Summary ������������������������������������������������������ 3 Forecast������������������������������������������������������������������������ 13
Introduction ������������������������������������������������������������������� 4 Policy Recommendations ������������������������������������������ 14
The Contemporary U.S. Far Right, the Anti- Conclusion�������������������������������������������������������������������� 21
Government Movement and ‘Militias’�������������������������� 5
Appendix A: Beyond “Militias” – A Broader Snapshot
A Brief Typology of the U.S. Far-Right Milieu and U.S.
of the U.S. Far-Right Anti-government Movement�� �� 22
Anti-Government Movement����������������������������������������5
Faith-Based Categories����������������������������������������������� 23
The Contemporary U.S. ‘Militia’ Movement����������������6
Non-Faith-Based Categories������������������������������������� 23
Rise of the ‘Three Percenters’�������������������������������������� 7
Appendix B: Analyzing and Categorizing the
Use of Historical Narratives and Imagery������������������8
NSGP Funds������������������������������������������������������������������ 23
Movement Activities ������������������������������������������������������8
Endnotes ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 24
Incorporating Anti-Muslim Hate into Anti-Government
Extremist Narratives and Target Sets�������������������������� 9
COVER PHOTO: A “Three Percenter” patch is seen at a rally at Delta Park in Portland, Oregon in September 2020.
(MARANIE R. STAAB/Getty Images)
2 February 2021
Executive Summary
■ The U.S. far-right milieu is not
monolithic. It can be divided
into at least five sections:
racist extremism, namely
white nationalism/supremacy;
anti-government extremism;
nativist extremism; anti-abortion
extremism; and male supremacy.
■ The anti-government
movement, which is the most
relevant to this brief, can be
categorized into six further
sub-sections: militias, tax
protesters, sovereign citizens, National Guard soldiers secure the U.S. Capitol grounds on Feb. 8, 2021
in preparation for Congressional hearings for the impeachment of former
constitutional sheriffs, far-right
President Donald Trump. The Three Percenters movement has been linked
segments of survivalist or to the Capitol riots that fueled the impeachment process.
“prepper” communities, and (TASOS KATOPODIS/Getty Images)
conspiracy propagandists.
Lives Matter, George Soros, ■ Second, before proposing
■ The Three Percenter Muslims, and others). additional federal domestic
movement is a subset of the
■ Like other anti-government terrorism statutes related
larger far-right anti-government
extremists, Three Percenters to penalty enhancements,
militia movement, organized
frame their activities – including officials must rigorously enforce
primarily around intense fear
paramilitary, firearms, and existing federal and state legal
and loathing of the U.S. federal
other weapons/survival prosecuting authorities and
government. Although fixated
training – in defensive terms. carefully study their effects.
on the federal government,
Nevertheless, the movement’s
anti-government extremists ■ Third, enhance physical
supporters have engaged in
use coded rhetoric that also security for nonprofits and
armed confrontations with law
expresses anxiety toward enforcement and engaged in places of worship that are
historically disenfranchised planned violence against various often the object of fixation
racial/ethnic/religious minorities. targets, including American and/or targeted violence by
Their ideology and narratives Muslim faith-based institutions. anti-government extremists,
are malleable enough to identify including Three Percenters.
additional perceived enemies, Policy Recommendations
including Muslims. They
■ Fourth, we reiterate and
also often attempt to portray ■ First, increase public reemphasize our call that law
themselves as armed protectors awareness and understanding enforcement, military, and
of the U.S. Constitution of the potential threats Three intelligence community leaders
against tyrants-in-waiting Percenters and the broader U.S. need to implement stricter
(the U.S. federal government) far right pose, in terms of their measures and policies to purge
and various collaborators associated extremism, hate, and militia members and extremists
(anti-fascists [“antifa”], Black violence, to local communities. from their ranks.
3 February 2021
Weapons lean on a panel during military-style drills of the III% Georgia Security Force in Flovilla, Ga. in November
2016. The militia calls itself the Georgia Security Forces (GSF). The group is part of the Three Percenters movement.
(MOHAMMED ELSHAMY / Getty Images)
Introduction included adherents of a dozen other groups traditionally targeted
different far right extremist by far-right actors, Muslims
The insurrection at the U.S. Capitol groups and movements.1 Among tend to be understudied.2 Yet
in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, them were supporters of the the growing importance of
2021, is the latest in a string of Three Percenters, a subset of anti-Muslim hate on the far right
events shining a spotlight on the the broader anti-government must not be overlooked. Unlike
dangers of far-right extremism militia landscape. This publication more traditionally recognized
and its propensity for violence. provides background and analysis motivations, anti-Muslim hate is
Thousands of devout followers of on who they are, what they believe, one of the few issues that brings
former President Donald Trump the types of challenges and violent together otherwise disparate
answered his call to assemble threats some adherents pose, and and fractious elements of the
near the White House and march policy recommendations on how to far-right, both within3 and beyond
to the U.S. Capitol to contest the mitigate for the risks they pose. national borders.4
false claims of a “stolen election”
and unsubstantiated allegations of Some may wonder why we chose Moreover, for analysts interested
rampant “voter fraud.” to examine anti-Muslim animus in in forecasting trends, closely
the context of a publication about watching dynamics of anti-Muslim
Using the rally as cover, more the Three Percenter movement. prejudice may hold insights for
extreme elements of the crowd In recent years, the expression future developments on the far
came prepared to enact violence of prejudice toward Muslims right. Starting in the late 1970s and
and insurrection. According has become a key feature of early 1980s, far-right actors began
to academic researchers and various far-right movements to pivot their focus from pseudo-
watchdog advocates, they around the world. Relative to scientific biological distinctions
4 February 2021
toward greater emphasis on socio- the Three Percenter movement in perspectives has been described
cultural differences – what some particular, the intent is to add our by at least one scholar as
researchers have called “biological voices to the growing chorus of “conceptual chaos.”8
racism” versus “cultural racism,” researchers providing policymakers
respectively.5 In turn, this has with a sober, but urgent analysis of These issues notwithstanding,
coincided with shifts in ideology, far-right violence and extremism to set the wider context of this
rhetoric, and violent targeting challenging our nation. brief’s topic we categorize the U.S.
preferences. Muslims now reside far right as an umbrella political
in far-right actors’ expanding target The Contemporary U.S. Far milieu divided into at least five
set and are increasingly confronted types:9 racist extremism, namely
by various forms of ideologically
Right, the Anti-Government white nationalism/supremacy;
motivated violence.6 This ranges Movement and ‘Militias’ anti-government extremism (also
from sporadic hate crimes to sometimes called the “Patriot”
planned mass casualty incidents A Brief Typology of the U.S. movement), which is animated
at Utoya Island and Oslo, Norway Far-Right Milieu and U.S. by intense fear and loathing of
(2011), Quebec City, Canada (2017), Anti-Government Movement the federal government rather
Christchurch, New Zealand (2019) than racial/ethnic/religious
and Hanau, Germany (2020). Many researchers have attempted hatred, per se; nativist extremism,
to define and categorize what characterized by anti-immigrant
As we will discuss further in this constitutes the contemporary and anti-Muslim sentiments;
publication, these shifts have also American “far right,” leading to anti-abortion extremism, which
occurred in the United States. different definitions and typologies, advocates for and condones
Although the focus here is on each with their own strengths unlawful violence against abortion
anti-government extremism, and and limitations.7 This plethora of providers; and male supremacists,
5 February 2021
who believe women are innately The Contemporary see as the armed protection of
physically, intellectually, and/ U.S. ‘Militia’ Movement constitutional rights against an
or morally inferior to men due NWO-type threat. Therefore, in
to biology, which justifies their According to Arie Perliger, line with their tradition of civil
advocacy for oppression of women. professor at the University of activism (see below), they tend
Massachusetts Lowell,12 the militia to vehemently oppose laws and
The anti-government movement movement is concerned with three regulations they perceive to restrict
is particularly relevant to this overarching issues: the use or possession of firearms
publication. According to J.J. in any way. By extension they also
MacNab, a Fellow at George ■ Preventing a “New support laws that maximize an
Washington University’s Program World Order” (NWO) individual’s ability to use or possess
on Extremism, as of April ■ Armed protection of con- firearms, such as “open carry” laws.
2018 this movement can be stitutional rights against per- Outside of nonviolent civil and
further divided into at least five ceived threats/enemies political activism, they also organize
other overlapping but distinct ■ Maintaining a tradition and train in armed paramilitary
sub-movements/ideologies:10 of civil activism13 formations, tactics, and strategies.
The narrative of preparing for “civil
■ Militias The NWO theory is a conspiratorial war” to defend against perceived
narrative that claims American overreaching or “tyrannical”
■ Tax protesters
national sovereignty and citizens’ government actions is strongly
■ Sovereign citizens rights are being eroded by a cabal associated with this movement.
■ Constitutional sheriffs of foreign actors (“globalists”)
and institutions (e.g., the Third, they seek to maintain a
■ Far-right segments of survivalist/ tradition of civil activism, partly
“prepper” communities United Nations) conspiring with
collaborators working outside as a nonviolent means to protect
(“socialists” & “Marxists”) and inside constitutional rights (e.g., voting/
We humbly add a sixth category, lobbying elected officials or
conspiracy propagandists,11 U.S. federal government agencies
(“deep state”). While the NWO and community service), and claim
to this typology. to leave armed violence as a last
other anti-government narratives
primarily fixate upon the federal resort.14 It is also partly a means
It is outside the scope of this brief of legitimating their paramilitary
government, they also use coded
to further discuss other segments training and ideology to the wider
rhetoric that expresses anxiety
of the anti-government movement public. To do so, they often portray
toward historically disenfranchised
and what relationship, if any, they themselves using narratives,
racial/ethnic/religious minorities.
may have to Three Percenters. vocabulary, and imagery closely
As we will explain later, this
(For a brief overview of the other and other anti-government associated with the American
subsections of the U.S. far-right narratives are malleable enough Revolution and the Founding
anti-government movement, please to adopt new objects of fixation, Fathers.15 They often refer to
see Appendix A.) It is sufficient to including Muslims. themselves as the “Citizens’ Militia”
say here that the segment of the or the “Unorganized Militia,”16 which
U.S. anti-government movement Second, in reaction to this are intended to connect themselves
most relevant to Three Percenters perceived threat, militia movement to citizen state militia units that
is the so-called “militia”a movement. actors engage in what they fought alongside the Continental
a Under the Militia Act of 1903, there are official militias created and controlled by the federal and state governments. Each state has two mandatory
organized militias, the state Army National Guard and the state Air National Guard. These are both state and federal forces, which at any point can
be called up by the president of the United States. Many states also have state defense forces and state naval forces that assist, support, and augment
National Guard forces. This study excludes any information pertaining to these official militias and instead focuses on unofficial, private militias that
have no legal existence codified in law.
6 February 2021
Army in the War of Independence.17 Rise of the The Three Percenter movement
(The term “Three Percenter” is a was founded in late 2008.
pseudo-historical attempt to make
‘Three Percenters’21
Like much of the resurgent
a similar type of connection.) The Three Percenters are anti-government movement, it
a decentralized movement arose in reaction to, among other
Data from the Southern Poverty things, the election of President
within the broader U.S. far-right
Law Center points to two “waves” Barack Obama22 as president of
anti-government militia movement.
of contemporary militia and other the United States.23
anti-government movement There is no single central authority
activity.18 The first wave was or definitive group. Instead, there
are multiple discrete organizations The movement’s origins began
from 1993 until the early 2000s. with Michael Brian Vanderboegh,24
Observed militia movement activity with a national presence openly
associating themselves with a former far-leftist25 of Pinson,
went through a nadir from 1999 to
the broader movement, such as Alabama, who later became a
2008, despite efforts to rebuild the
The Three Percenters – Original, well-known anti-government militia
movement during this period.19 The
American Patriots The III%, United extremist during the 1990s while
second wave of observed activity
Patriots 3%, and Three Percent writing publications advocating
and group (re)formation began in
2009 and continues to the present. Security Force (also known as violence against the U.S. federal
While in recent years the number IIISF). This does not include government.26 Vanderboegh also
of observed active anti-government numerous local/regional and became a member of the Oath
groups is down from its peak in state-specific spin-off groups, many Keepers (created in April 2009), a
2011-2015, it has consistently of which have broken away from group that the Three Percenters
remained on par with numbers larger nationwide organizations, “remain loosely allied with and
from 2009, when the second wave such as American Constitution who publicized the movement on
began.20 It is around the beginning Elite III%, Confederate States his blog ‘Sipsey Street Irregulars’
of this second wave that the Three III%, and Rhode Island Patriots beginning November 2008.”27
Percenter movement arose. III%, among others.
7 February 2021
Use of Historical protect the citizens of the United Republic, as they envision it.
Narratives and Imagery States if there ever comes a According to The Three Percenters
day when our government takes – Original’s website, “We intend to
One discrete organization up arms against the American provide a framework and guidance
associated with the Three people.29 (emphasis added) that ‘The People’ can use to make
Percenter movement, The Three positive change in restoring
Percenters – Original, claims This assertion has never been the founding principles of our
the movement’s name “Three substantiated by historical evidence Constitutional Republic.”31
Percenters” (also often written as or the opinions of professional
“III%ers”) represents the number of historians of the American A 2016 document intended as a
active forces in the field that fought Revolution.30 Regardless, the guide for would-be activists and
against British tyranny during the historical narrative, imagery, and supporters articulates this historical
American Revolution.28 As they analogy are clear. Three Percenters imagery further and bridges its
state on their website: claim to be today’s modern message to the present moment to
“minutemen”: ever-vigilant, armed, tell a crisis story: “The Constitution
an idea was coined of having trained, and ready at a moment’s has been metaphorically shredded
“Minutemen” available at a notice to mobilize against today’s in many states, and our rights have
moment’s notice should the tyrants-in-waiting, namely the U.S. become a mere shadow of what
King’s tyranny show up in their federal government. One of the the Founding Fathers envisioned.
town, on their streets, or at their most popular symbols of Three We need to restore America to the
door. These Minutemen would Percenters is the Nyberg flag, Republic she once was.”32
meet, train, and prepare to named after creator Gayle Nyberg,
defend themselves, their family, which is a Betsy Ross Flag with Movement Activities
and their townships from an a Roman numeral “III” inside the
ever-encroaching empire. It is circle of 13 stars representing the This deep political anxiety and
from these Minutemen where the original 13 U.S. states. sense of impending crisis is
3% name originated. It is a rough reinforced by niche websites, chat
estimate that only 3% of the Like other actors within the militia boards, and social media accounts
colonists were actively fighting and broader anti-government that discuss and generate a steady
in the field against British forces movements, Three Percenter stream of moral outrage over a
at any given time. Today we movement supporters share a wide range of issues including
recognize with this 3% in being political vision that advocates a anti-fascists (“antifa”), Black
that we will be the last defense to return to the original American Lives Matter, “fake news,” and
8 February 2021
perceived corrupt politicians; fears supporters actively participated violence. For example, allegedly
of economic collapse; enacting in the 2014 Bunkerville, Nevada, inspired by Vanderboegh’s
their vision of a constitutionally standoff, the 2016 takeover of the violent militia fantasy novel
constrained government; Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, “Absolved,” in 2011 a group of four
concerns over the loss of Second and other land-use disputes Georgia-based militia extremists
Amendment rights via firearms involving mining in Montana and were arrested for conspiring to
laws and regulations; anger at Oregon. They have also been visible commit terrorist attacks in Atlanta
perceived unjustified police raids; at pro-Trump and other right- using explosives and the deadly
predictions of mass civil unrest; and leaning political rallies across the biological agent ricin.35
stories about Islamist terrorism. country since at least 2016, often
claiming to act as “security.”33 As we will discuss in the next
It also fuels the persistent section, the Three Percenters’
paramilitary, firearms, and other Most Three Percenters do not perceived enemies are not limited
combat skills training activities openly advocate offensive to the federal government. They,
associated with involvement violence and deny embracing and many other segments of the
in the Three Percenter and anti-government beliefs. wider militia movement, have
wider anti-government militia Instead, they tend to frame broadened their list of adversaries
movements. Three Percenters their paramilitary, firearms, and in recent years to include Muslims,
encourage each other to conduct other combat skills training in antifa, and immigrants unlawfully
firearms and paramilitary training defensive terms. According to present in the United States
as individuals and in units with Vanderboegh, these and other (“illegals”). This incorporation
other movement supporters. activities conducted by actors of anti-Muslim hate into militia
They often participate in joint, claiming to be Three Percenters extremists’ narratives has coincided
often regularly scheduled, field must be governed by four with armed public protests and
training exercises with other Three principles: moral strength, physical attempts at ideologically motivated
Percenter and militia actors. readiness, no first use of force, violence against American Muslim
and no targeting of innocents.34 faith-based institutions.
Consistent with the broader militia Nevertheless several actors who
movement’s efforts to engage in self-identified as Three Percenters Incorporating Anti-Muslim
armed protection of constitutional have committed criminal activity,
rights and maintaining traditions of
Hate into Anti-Government
including attempting unprovoked,
civil activism, protest and counter- ideologically motivated violence, as Extremist Narratives and
protest activity is encouraged well as engaging in armed protests Target Sets
within the Three Percenter directed at their perceived enemies.
movement. It is not uncommon While the contemporary U.S.
to find individuals who openly In fact, the above-mentioned 2014 anti-government extremist
identify as Three Percenters (e.g., standoff in Bunkerville, Nevada, movement is primarily mobilized
wearing clothing or carrying flags and 2016 militia takeover of the by fear and loathing toward the
with the “III%” and similar symbols) Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Burns, federal government, it is important
attending pro-gun rights rallies, Oregon, are two examples of Three to note its historical origins were
engaged in lawful open carry of Percenter involvement in armed substantially influenced by a type of
firearms, and wearing tactical gear. provocations that they and other white supremacy called “Christian
In more extreme cases, however, anti-government extremists viewed Identity.”36 As the movement
Three Percenters have engaged in as justifiable defensive actions evolved over several decades,
armed political protest involving against a perceived overreaching anti-government extremists
threats of violence toward law and tyrannical government. largely eschewed overt bigotry.
enforcement and other government Moreover, other rhetoric from Nevertheless, much of their rhetoric
officials to further their ideologically Vanderboegh himself may have and key narratives contain strong
driven goals. Several movement informed plots of non-defensive racial/antisemitic undertones
9 February 2021
“Before conspiracy narratives became prevalent among
prominent militia movement supporters, anti-Muslim
extremists had propagated those theories for several years. ”
and tend to closely parallel those associations between all Muslims, European Offensive.” His essay
of white supremacists, but often including those in the North espouses a more anti-Muslim
without their explicit hatred.37 Thus, America and Europe, and the violent version of the earlier mentioned
it is not surprising that although extremist fringe of individuals “New World Order” and “Civil War”
they represent two distinct claiming to act in the name of their narratives. This version, often
segments of the broader U.S. faith. Second, a network of political referred to as the “Red-Green Axis”
far-right milieu, white supremacist and financial profiteers emerged in by its proponents, broadly argues
and anti-government movements the post-9/11 socio-political climate that far-leftists and Islamists are
continue to frequently overlap in to effectively exploit, amplify, and
conspiring together to undermine
terms of supporters.38 mainstream public fear of Islam
the foundational socio-political
and Muslims.41 Often referred to
In addition to the federal norms and institutions of
as the “Counter-Jihad” movement
government, additional targets of by supporters42 but dubbed the Western nations.
many militias’ anxieties included “Islamophobia network”43 by
multiple minority groups, largely critics, its rhetoric has not only Similar to the broader “civil war”
expressed in code words, such as enjoyed a certain level of public narrative, some versions describe
Jews (“Federal Reserve,” “Bankers/ mainstream currency for several it as a slow-moving, ongoing set
Financiers,” or “George Soros”), years, but also made its way into of events often characterized
African-Americans (“inner city the discourse of the U.S. far-right by ideological conflict as much
gangs” or “Black Lives Matter”) militia extremist movement. Before as physical violence.47 Other
and Latinx (“National Council of conspiracy narratives became versions, like Bracken’s, see it as
La Raza,” “MS-13,” or “illegals”). For prevalent among prominent militia a forthcoming violent apocalyptic
Muslims, this is expressed in both movement supporters, anti-Muslim event enabled by the “political
coded (“Muslim Brotherhood” or extremists had propagated those correctness” of “cultural Marxists.”
“Islamists”) and explicit bigotry theories for several years. Lastly, Comparing it to the 1968 Tet
(fears of “shariah” replacing the U.S. these narratives are reinforced offensive during the Vietnam
constitution and other laws). among militia movement actors,44 War, Bracken states:
including the Three Percenters,45
Three factors appear to have by the presence of current and The 1968 Tet Offensive involved
facilitated militias’ increasing former military personnel within approximately 80,000 armed Viet
fixation on and hostility toward the movement, including veterans Cong infiltrators sneaking into
Muslims, including activities such returning from conflict zones in
Vietnamese cities and towns,
as armed protests outside of Iraq and Afghanistan.
(unnoticed by the “experts” in
Muslim houses of worship and
The result has been a Muslim fear intelligence, I will add.) How many
attempted acts of ideologically
motivated violence. variant on older anti-government of the almost a million muhajirun
extremist narratives.46 One [lit. “migrants,” but referring here
First, after the Sept. 11, 2001 illuminating example is an essay to refugees] now loose in Europe
terrorist attacks by al Qaeda, some written by anti-government will take up arms for the cause,
political commentators39 and extremist Matthew Bracken called, after the first initiating wave of
public officials40 explicitly made “Tet, Take Two: Islam’s 2016 Tet 2016 terror attacks? […]
10 February 2021A member of the Georgia Security Forces (GSF) takes part in a military drill with group members of III% Georgia Security
Force in Flovilla, Georgia in November 2016. The group is a part of a wider movement called “The Three Percenters (III%)”
scattered across the U.S. (MOHAMMED ELSHAMY / Getty Images)
Historians will study how this to defend themselves from Extremists Expand Target Sets
mass hijra invasion, and the the planned attack.48 to Include Muslims,” describes
consequent Tet 2016 and in detail how increasingly violent
European Civil War came to The incorporation of anti-Muslim speech from militia movement
happen. The truth is it was an hatred into the militia movement’s supporters has the potential to
inside job by the traitor class, core beliefs and conspiracy lead to “additional harassment of
narratives coincides with an or violence against Muslims” in
the cultural Marxist open-border
increased targeting of American the United States.49
international socialists. First,
Muslim communities and
they numbed and dulled their
institutions. This increased The graphic on the next page
own compatriots into apathy, targeting comes in two forms: provides several illustrative
before opening the gates to mostly lawful, but intimidating, examples of Three Percenters
the Islamist barbarians. They armed protests outside of mosques targeting American Muslim
injected the paralyzing curare of and faith-based nonprofits; and institutions and communities.
multi-cultural political correctness unlawful, ideologically motivated
into their own societies, in violence. An FBI Intelligence Bulletin
order to render them unable dated May 28, 2015, titled, “Militia
11 February 2021Three Percenter Anti-Muslim Armed Protests and Terrorist Plots
The actors listed are identified as part of the Three Percenter movement who either engaged in armed protest outside of a Muslim
house of worship or else planned or carried out a terrorist attack.
[INSERT GRAPHIC WITH cancelled it, and in a thinly Neatly three months later
Actor’s name (age) THREE PERCENTER veiled referenced to the they would also attack
Date Plot/Incident
ANTI-MUSLIM TERROR Plot/Incident
GSFIII’s actions, said the Summary an abortion clinic in
or organization
PLOTS – TEXT IS BELOW, decision was motivated Champaign, Illinois, before
Sun., Bureau on Armedand we mightAneed to extremist
militia by “uncivil threats or
group calling their eventual
itself the Bureau of American arrest.58Islamic
keep the text as part intentions [that] must be
Nov. 22, American-Islamic Participation Relations (BAIR), a group associated with the wider Three Percenter
of the document:] taken seriously”.53 April 21,of 2018. A coterie
2015 Relations in Protest movement50, conducted an armed protest outside a Sunni Muslim
of far-right provocateurs
mosque in Irving, Texas. 51
Oct. 14, 2016. A trio of held an “anti-shariah” rally
militia extremists who in Dearborn, Michigan, a
Sat., Bureau on Armed The Bureau of American Islamic “the
called themselves Relations (BAIR)
city withconducted
a large Muslim an armed
Timeline of Three
April 2, American-Islamic Participation protest
Percenter Attacks and outside of a Nation
Crusaders” — of Islam
Patrick mosque in South
population. Dallas,
Several Texas.
armed 52
2016 Relations in Protest
Plots Targeting Muslims Stein, 47, and Curtis Allen militia extremist groups
and Gavin Wright, both acting as event “security”
Mon., Georgia Security ArmedNov. 22, 2015. InAprotest of a 49 —zoning
local were arrested
hearing bytoFBIdiscusswere theamong
proposedthe attendees,
construction
militia
agentscalled
for attempting to Security
including at least
Aug. 1, Force III% Participation
extremist groupof awith
mosque, a group the Georgia Force III%two
filmed a
carry out a terrorist attack groups that explicitly
2016 in Protest videotoward
particular hostility of themselves outside a church,
against Muslims living
whileidentified
armed, expressing
with the Three
their
Muslims calling itself
opposition to theinmosque. 53
Garden City, Kansas.54 Percenter movement.59
the Bureau of American
Despite denials from Chris
Islamic Relations (BAIR),
Fri., Patrick Stein, 47 Terrorist A trio of militia extremists
Hill, nationalcalling
leader of themselves Jan.“the22,Crusaders”
2019. Four were
whose supporters
Oct. 14, Curtis Allen, 49 Plot self-identify with
arrested by
the Three
FBI agents
the IIISF,for
an attempting
investigation to carry out
far-right a terrorist attack
extremists — Brian
2016 Gavin Wright, 49 against Muslims byliving
the Southern
in Garden Poverty
City, Kansas.F. 54
Despite
Colaneri, 20, denials
Vincent R. from
Percenter movement
Law Centerofsuggests thatThreeVetromile,
50
, conductedChris Hill, national
an armed leader the group Percent 19, Security
Andrew Force
C.
Stein may have previously Crysel, 18, Center
and Nicholas
protest outside(IIISF),
of a an investigation by the Southern Poverty Law strongly
affiliated himself with the Pheilshifter, 60
16 with
— plotted
suggests
mosque in Irving, Texas.that
51
Stein
Kansas
may have
chapter
previously
of IIISF. 55 affiliated himself the Kansas
to attack the tiny hamlet
chapter of IIISF.55
of Islamberg in upstate
April 2, 2016. BAIR
Nov. 11, 2016. Individuals New York. At least one of
Fri., Unnamed Three Armedconducted anIndividuals
armed on motorcycles
on motorcycles andand in inpickup trucks circledVetromile,
the plotters, the Dallas had
Nov. 11, Percenter supporters protest
Participation outside of a
office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, an American
pickup trucks circled the expressed support for the
Nation of Islam mosque in
2016 in Protest Muslim advocacy group,
Dallas while
office displaying
of the Council signs Threeaffiliated
Percenterwith the Three
movement
South Dallas, Texas.52
Percenter movement. on American-Islamic
56 in a social media post prior
Relations, an American to his arrest.61 Islamberg
August 2016. In protest Muslim advocacy group, has been thePercent
subject of
Sat., Michael Hari, 47 Terrorist
of aPlot Three
local zoning extremists belonging to the “White Rabbit
hearing Three Militia,”
while displaying signs far-right conspiratorial
Aug. 5, Michael McWhorter, 29 to discuss the attacked
proposeda mosque in Bloomington, Minnesota, with a pipe bomb. No
affiliated with the Three paranoia for several
2017 Joe Morris, 22 construction casualties
of a mosque, were Percenter
reported movement.
from the incident.
56
57
Three
years, whichmonths later, they
has made
a group called attacked
the Georgiaan abortion clinic in Champaign, IL,it subject before to their eventual
the same arrest.58
Security Force III% (GSFIII), annual protest for three
Aug. 5, 2017. Extremists
Sat., Michigan United Armedthe state chapter of the of far-right provocateurs held an “anti-Sharia”
A coterie belonging to the “White years from far-rightrally inactors,
Dearborn,
April 21, Patriots Three Percent Three Percent
Participation Security a city with a large Muslim population.
Michigan, Several
including Three armed
Percenterextremist
Rabbit Three Percent
Force (IIISF), filmed a groups, 62
as well as the
2018 Ohio III Percent in Protest groups acting asMilitia”event—“security”
Michael Hari, were among the attendees, including at
video of themselves target of previous alleged
Security Force leastwhile
outside a church, two groups47, identifying with the Three Percenter
Michael McWhorter, movement. 59
29, and Joe Morris, militia extremist terrorist
armed, expressing their plots. All four plotters pled
22 — attacked a mosque
Tues., Brian F. Colaneri, 20 opposition toFour
Terrorist the Muslim
individualsinplotted to attack Islamberg,guiltya hamlet
63 in upstate
and received prisonNew
Bloomington, Minnesota
Jan. 22, Vincent Plot house of worship.York.Local
60
At least one of the plotters,
with a pipe bomb. No Ventromile, had
sentences supported
ranging from the Three
county commissioners
2019 R. Ventromile, 19 Percenter movement on social
casualties media before
were reported histoarrest.
four 12 years.Far-right
61 64
who scheduled the hearing
Andrew C. Crysel,18 conspiratorial paranoia
from the made
incident. Islamberg subject to three annual protests
57
Nicholas Pheilshifter,16 from far-right actors, including Three Percenter groups.62 In 2015, a
Tennessee man was arrested for trying to assemble a strike team of
militia extremists to attack the hamlet. All plotters pled guilty63 and
received prison sentences ranging from four to 12 years.64
It is important to point out here that, given the focus of our brief, this list is limited to Three Percenters and does not include
cases of other militia extremists or other far-right (e.g., white supremacists or violent anti-Muslim single-issue extremists)
acts of violence and armed protest.
12 February 2021Forecast Our conclusion is based on the timeline in which mask-wearing
following reasons, including public health mandates eventually
Through 2021 and up to at least lingering tensions associated with lead to imposition of religious full-
2024, we expect militia extremists, the results of the 2020 presidential body coverings (burqas).68 In the
including Three Percenters, to election, an additional spike in run-up to the 2020 U.S. presidential
continue their efforts to recruit coronavirus infections that may election, QAnon became more
and radicalize target audiences roll back efforts to reopen the popular among militia extremists
as well as mobilize existing economy, continued post-election – many of whom have notable
far-left violence,66 evidence of histories of anti-Muslim activities69
movement supporters.
ongoing disinformation efforts – and at least 78 QAnon supporters
In an earlier Terrain Assessment related to COVID-19 protective ran for congressional office,70
measures, and fear about two of whom won. One of these
published by the Newlines Institute
mounting civil unrest spreading candidates, U.S. Representative
for Strategy and Policy, formerly
to rural, predominately white Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), is
the Center for Global Policy, we
sections of the country. particularly notable because she
noted that the recent surge in openly embraced anti-Muslim hate,
armed U.S. far-right mobilization Against this tumultuous backdrop, antisemitic tropes, and anti-Black
was associated with several some far-right actors – including racism71 while managing to win
national-level factors: deepening Three Percenters and groups/ support from several high-profile
socio-political polarization, the individuals associated with the political figures,72 including Trump.73
public health crisis caused by the broader militia extremist movement Although at least some supporters
COVID-19 pandemic, the economic – may be encouraged and/or of the wider QAnon movement
downturn caused by COVID-19 enabled by the more permissive appear to be fracturing and
and public health responses, and socio-political environment to plot exiting from it, others appear to
the multifaceted issues fueling and attempt acts of ideologically be maintaining their belief in the
the anti-racism protests. We motivated targeted violence against larger conspiracy, while others still
also pointed out that the policy their perceived enemies. We appear to be targets of recruitment
challenges posed by the resurgent believe this elevated risk extends from neo-Nazis and other white
armed far-right mobilization were to Muslims, and those perceived to supremacists.74 Regardless of the
further complicated by heated be Muslim (e.g., Sikhs), because of QAnon movement’s trajectory, it has
rhetoric from national elected four additional factors: created an additional conspiratorial
officials, counter-violence from avenue for anti-Muslim bigotry to
■ The “QAnon” anti-government enter into extremist movements
far-left actors, and the poor quality
conspiracy movement’s increased closely associated with violence.
of intelligence from local/regional
association with anti-Muslim hate:
fusion centers.65
QAnon, a once-fringe movement, ■ The importance of anti-Muslim
was politically ascendant and animus in online disinformation
We also observed all these
entering into parts of mainstream efforts amid recently
associated factors have not
political discourse until presidential demonstrated public vulnerability
abated; in some cases, they have powers peacefully transitioned to false rumors during anti-racism
intensified. Our ongoing analysis from Trump to President Joseph protests: Anti-Muslim hate has
of the current socio-political Biden. While ascendant, the been a substantial component
climate leads us to believe this movement had embraced of past disinformation efforts.75
remains the case. Therefore, we medical conspiracy narratives The current socio-political climate
maintain the view that America is about COVID-19, several of which provides a ripe environment for
facing an elevated risk of social included Muslims.67 For example, any actors, foreign or domestic,
upheaval, including political an internet meme circulating widely to engage in further “fake news”
violence, for several among anti-government extremist propagation. A recent example
years to come. communities shows an imagined of these two factors converging
13 February 2021“An investigation ... found one anti-government group with ties
to the Three Percenter movement used its Facebook page to
coordinate surveillance on 10 houses of worship and faith-
based institutions throughout the U.S. Southeast, northern
Great Plains, and northern Rocky Mountains.”
is a viral social media post that Three Percenter movement used issues to exploit.85 As noted earlier,
falsely claimed a Muslim “shariah its Facebook page to coordinate their ideology and narratives are
patrol force,” in partnership with surveillance on 10 houses of malleable enough to adopt new
antifa actors, will hit the streets worship and faith-based institutions perceived enemies and issues of
of Minneapolis once the city’s throughout the U.S. Southeast, interest. In past five years, this
police department is dissolved.76 northern Great Plains, and northern growing antagonism, sometimes
This comes against the backdrop Rocky Mountains.79 violent, toward Muslims, antifa,
of a recent study by social media Another group we identified80 – and “illegals.” Most recently,
analysis firm Graphika, suggesting this has also included intense
which explicitly propagates the
Russian foreign actors had demonstrations of opposition,
“Red-Green Axis” narrative, openly
shown interest in boosting QAnon often armed and sometimes
supports the far-right crypto-fascist
content.77 Such efforts are likely to violent, to COVID-19 public health
group Proud Boys,81 and displays
intensify if another “trigger” event measures (e.g., mask-wearing and
a large Three Percenter image on
precipitating another shock occurs, shutdowns), Black Lives Matter,
its website’s homepage – claims
like George Floyd’s killing did for and the recent 2020 national
one of its founders covertly visited
the recent nationwide election results.
and gathered information on
anti-racism protests.
several U.S. mosques, Islamic We expect militia attention to shift
■ Anti-government extremists’ centers, and Muslim businesses82 again as the Biden administration
recent history of involvement in for several years. The founder’s takes power, elements of the
surveilling Muslim communities surveillance included in-person QAnon movement fracture due to
and faith-based institutions: activity as recently as June 5, its apocalyptic predictions failing
The earlier-mentioned May 28, 2020.83 While the purpose of these to come true,86 and the prevalence
2015, FBI report also noted that visits appears to be research aimed of COVID-19 eventually waning
“multiple sources with varying at perpetuating anti-Muslim fear, due to ongoing mass vaccination
levels of access report conducting it may inspire others to conduct efforts. As far-right actors are
surveillance in diverse locations similar activities, but toward likely to feel threatened by the
including Alaska, Arizona, Indiana, more violent ends. new administration’s perceived
Montana, New York, North and progressive outlook – including
South Carolina, Utah, and Texas.”78 ■ The need for the anti- symbolically by its diverse staff and
Our review of open sources government militia movement to Cabinet picks87 – we assess that
suggests such activities remain identify new objects of fixation: Muslims may once again become
ongoing. An investigation published Anti-government militia extremists an increasingly attractive target of
in April 2019 by the Southern are constantly in search of new rhetorical and physical attacks from
Poverty Law Center found one anti- narratives to justify their political supporters of the militia movement,
government group with ties to the relevance84 and flashpoint events/ including Three Percenters.
14 February 2021Policy Recommendations “Centers of Excellence,” university- However, even in years when
based entities conducting research agencies were not typically facing
To mitigate the risk of violence and that advance homeland security- budget shortfalls, critical programs
marginalize movements promoting related scientific research.90 like State and Local Anti-Terrorism
extremism and hate, we offer The fact sheet also states that Training (SLATT) were in danger
the following recommendations these centers have attracted of not receiving funding due to
to policymakers in government “over $420 million in additional congressional neglect.98 (SLATT
and decisionmakers in civil funding from external sources is a federally funded training
society, respectively: for homeland security research, program established after the
development, and education.”91 1995 Oklahoma City bombing to
teach local, state, territorial, and
First, increase public awareness
For non-governmental actors, tribal law enforcement agencies
and understanding of the
especially local citizen activists about various terrorist threats they
potential threats the Three
and other members of civil society, may encounter from across the
Percenter movement and the
this means drawing upon best ideological spectrum.)99 To the
broader U.S. far right pose,
practices to raise awareness of and extent possible, law enforcement
in terms of their associated
marginalize ideologically driven executives are urged to not slash
extremism, hate, and violence,
voices of violence, extremism, funding for training. However,
to local communities.
and hate. Several organizations we also advocate that federal
For government policymakers, have produced resources policymakers, including members
this means investing further in containing detailed strategies,92 of Congress, allocate increased
academic and scholarly research model campaigns,93 and useful funding for research-informed
to increase understanding of principles94 for elected officials, programs like SLATT, which offer
the phenomenon. According to communities, and grassroots terrorism awareness trainings at no
a bipartisan panel of experts advocates to use. In the words of cost100 to law enforcement.
convened by the Stimson Center, veteran civil rights advocate Ken
the U.S. government has spent Toole, one of the goals “should be Second, before proposing
an estimated $2.8 trillion on to inform the public and to call into additional federal domestic
counterterrorism between FY 2002 the question the premises that terrorism statutes related to
and 2017.88 Comparatively little underlie extremist movements – in penalty enhancements, officials
has gone toward research that the process, initiating meaningful must rigorously enforce existing
generates further scholarly and community discussion of pluralism, federal and state laws and
empirical insights that can be used tolerance, and the values necessary carefully study their effects.
to combat ideologically motivated to the conduct of public business in
violence. For example, a database a free society.”95 As Americans’ public awareness
search of research grants on of domestic terrorist actors
terrorism given by the U.S. Justice For law enforcement agencies increased over the past several
Department’s National Institute and supporting policymakers, years – especially after the
of Justice revealed a total of 77 this means significantly investing violence associated with the Aug.
awards amounting to $69,592,368 in training for patrol officers, 12, 2017, “Unite The Right” rally
were declared and/or distributed analysts/investigators, academy in Charlottesville, Virginia – there
between 1999 and 2020.89 instructors/field trainer staff, and has been a heated debate over
executives/managers on domestic whether101 or not102 additional
In a similar vein, a 2019 fact ideologically motivated violence. federal domestic terrorism statutes
sheet from the U.S. Department Unfortunately, in times of budget are needed to curb a widely
of Homeland Security’s Office of constraints, quality officer training96 perceived resurgence of far-right
University Programs states its – which is crucial for effective extremist violence in the United
efforts are responsible for directly policing – is typically one of the first States. At the same time, an
providing $140 million to its items to get slashed.97 August 2019 report by the Brennan
15 February 2021Center for Justice at the New York A June 2020 study by the Institute future rallies similar to the Unite the
University School of Law identified for Constitutional Advocacy Right rally in Charlottesville.”104 In
73 federal laws, including predicate and Protection (ICAP) at the total, the ICAP report identified 116
offenses related to terrorism, Georgetown University School state laws105 that address at least
of Law found that every state one of the following issues:
hate crimes statutes, and other
in the country has “at least one “(1) constitutional provisions
criminal violations, that can be constitutional or statutory provision requiring the subordination of the
used to prosecute perpetrators of that applies to [legally proscribing] military to civilian authorities;
far-right ideologically motivated the type of paramilitary and private (2) statutes restricting unauthorized
violence in America.103 militia activity that may arise at private militia activity;
16 February 2021(3) anti-paramilitary-activity
criminal laws; and (4) prohibitions
on the false assumption of the
uniform or duties of a peace officer
or member of the military.”106
Finally, an April 2018 article
published in the UCLA Law Review
comprehensively surveying local
and state laws as well as federal
court case precedent found that
“state and local officials have
significant latitude to enact and
enforce laws that restrict the
intimidating display of firearms at
public demonstrations. Instead
of inhibiting constitutional rights,
these laws protect people’s A girl waves a Confederate battle flag during an August 2018 Richmond Virginia
rights to speak freely and to protest against recommendations to remove a Jefferson Davis statue. Protesters
peaceably assemble.”107 include the Virginia Task Force of Three Percenters.
(CHIP SOMODEVILLA / Getty Images)
These studies collectively suggest
that ample legal authorities the ICAP report, yet it continues rights, and civil liberties standpoint,
and latitude already exist to to have a longstanding and robust and may be needed to enhance
prosecute criminal offenses often anti-government militia scene. This coordination and government
associated with Three Percenter includes several groups, including efficiency. Nevertheless, we also
and broader anti-government ones that identified as Three recommend a close re-examination,
militia movements. To the extent Percenters, that showed up armed and where appropriate, updating
any new laws may be needed, to an April 2018 “anti-shariah” rally of these legislative proposals.
state and local governments may in Dearborn, Michigan, a heavily For example, one widely cited
wish to consider statutes and Arab and Muslim municipality.109 bill113 contains language about
ordinances that prohibit bringing More recently, in what some creating new structures within
firearms to public demonstrations analysts now see as a prelude to these agencies, including a
and prohibitions on paramilitary events at the U.S. Capitol complex Domestic Intelligence Executive
activities where none currently on Jan. 6, 2021, Michigan is also Committee, which at minimum
exist. Regarding the latter set where several armed militia men warrants caution and careful
of authorities, ICAP points out stormed the state capitol building scrutiny to avoid government
that only 29 of 50 U.S. states on April 30, 2020,110 and where overreach. Moreover, the same bill
have anti-paramilitary laws. The law enforcement prevented a plot only explicitly mentions mandating
lack of anti-paramilitary laws in by several other anti-government an assessment of threats posed
a neighboring state could cause extremists attempted to kidnap by white supremacists, including
some groups, depending on their Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) infiltration of law enforcement and
location, to simply cross state lines in October 2020.111 military entities, but no mention
to avoid legal troubles.108 of the same thing for activities
That said, any proposed conducted by anti-government
However, it bears re-emphasizing domestic terrorism statutes extremists or other far-right actors.
that enforcing existing laws related to delineating roles and We find this to be a significant
must also remain a priority. For responsibilities among federal oversight considering that entire
example, Michigan has all four agencies112 are somewhat of organizations (e.g., Oath Keepers)
categories of laws described in less concern from a privacy, civil and sub-sections (“Constitutional
17 February 2021Sheriffs”) of the wider far-right to connect DOJ records to the budget, paying for training and
anti-government movement court cases themselves.115 We physical security enhancements
are specifically dedicated to recommend Congress ameliorate – such as camera systems,
recruitment of law enforcement this issue by passing legislative locks, lighting, intrusion detection,
and military personnel. relief that requires the DOJ to alarms, access control systems –
publish the docket numbers could be too costly.
We also recommend, however, alongside their data.
careful study and systematic The U.S. Department of Homeland
empirical evaluation of what legal Third, enhance physical security Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency
authorities are most effective for nonprofits and places of Management Agency (FEMA) offers
and where any gaps may exist, worship that are often the object security training assistance and
particularly at the federal level. of fixation or targeted violence by grants to pay for physical security
Unfortunately, as the Brennan militia extremists. upgrades to facilities through
Center has pointed out, court its Non-Profit Security Grant
data published by the U.S. Examples like the ideologically Program (NSGP). Unfortunately,
Department of Justice (DOJ) motivated shootings in Halle, this help is not reaching several
through its Legal Information Germany,116 and Jeffersontown, underserved faith communities
Office Network System is often Kentucky,117 show how physical that also happen to comprise
unreliable because it frequently security measures prevented predominantly people of color.
gets misreported.114 The issue is assailants from entering houses of Amid resurgent far-right activity
further compounded by domestic worship and inflicting catastrophic across the nation, we assess
terrorism prosecution data getting loss of life on their congregations. many of these same underserved
published without including the For many houses of worship and communities to be in a state of
court case docket numbers that faith-based nonprofits, especially elevated vulnerability (e.g., Muslims
would allow third-party researchers those that operate on a tight and those often perceived to be),118
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