Still working to recover. Please don't edit quite yet.

Bundy militia

From Anarchopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
While a facile analysis of a select few of the militia's beliefs, such as anti-statism, may seem akin to anarchists, the vast bulk of them are extreme right-wing, well, nut jobs. The primary interest in covering them is to view the threat, see the forces that make them align in both the ways akin and the ways anathema to Anarchism, and to cover what Wikipedia ruling class interests deem dangerous.
This article contains content from Wikipedia
An article on this subject has been nominated for deletion on Wikipedia:
Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/
Bundy militia
Current versions of the GNU FDL article on WP may contain information useful to the improvement of this article 		WP+
NO
DEL
Bundy militia
[[Image:{{{image}}}|300px| ]]
Don't Tread On Me Flag
Data 1: {{{data1}}}
Data 2: this text displayed if data2 not defined
Data 3 (data hidden if data3 empty or not defined):

The Bundy militia[1][2][3][4] is a loosely formed group of militants based in Clark County, Wikipedia:Nevada, Wikipedia:USA. It is also known as Bundy's militia or Bundy ranch militia.[5][6][7]

Cliven Bundy initially formed the militia[2] to fight against the Wikipedia:United States Government in its effort to roundup and seize his illegally grazing cattle under a court order. The aims of Bundy's militia were then expanded to include efforts to disarm Wikipedia:US Government law enforcement (WP) and capture lands from Wikipedia:US Government to turn over to the State of Wikipedia:Nevada. The militia[2] mobilized for its first armed confrontations in 2014 against government law enforcement officers who were protecting government roundup contractors.


Background[edit]

In March 2014, after Cliven Bundy lost a second court case in a 20 year court battle, he sent letters entitled "Range War Emergency Notice and Demand for Protection" to county, state, and federal officials. In media interviews, Bundy used the language of the Wikipedia:sovereign citizen movement as a rallying call, beckoning support [8] from members of the Oath Keepers,[8] the White Mountain Militia,[8] the Praetorian Guard,[8] and other like-minded individuals to join his fight. Armed militants from Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, California, and other areas responded with a show of force[9] by joining the Bundy Militia at a heavily armed militia camp near Bunkerville, Nevada in early April 2014.

Formation and Leadership[edit]

Clive Bundy formed, called up, and founded the Bundy Militia. Other members of the militia have assumed leadership roles in the battalion formation actions and armed conflicts, including Wikipedia:Richard Mack, and Cliven Bundy's son, Ammon Bundy.[8] Newcomers to the armed camp were met by a large banner upon which was printed "MILITA SIGHN IN" (Misspelling of MILITIA SIGN IN) in big letters, directing militiamen to sign in on a sign up sheet at a table set up at the parking area.[10] Approximately 1000 militia members and supporters joined the fight.[11] "It's a brotherhood to the point where I would give my life for another," said militiaman Patrick Downs.[1]

Philosophy and Beliefs[edit]

"There are people out here who will sacrifice their lives and their fortunes and their sacred honor to defend them," said Jerry DeLemus,[12] a camouflaged guard who called himself the leader of the Bundy security force[12] of about 40 people.[12] Jerry DeLemus said, "If someone points a gun at me, I'll definitely point my gun back."[12]

The Bundy militia is loosely organized, like other far-right militia movements that oppose the Wikipedia:federal government of the United States and believe in anti government (WP) localism. The local unit is autonomous and somewhat secretive. Militiamen advocate a philosophy similar to that of Posse Comitatus,[13] in which the Wikipedia:US Federal Government is not recognized as a valid authority. Members are willing to martyr themselves and their families for the cause. Some militia members embrace the beliefs of Wikipedia:Christian identity,[14] as shown by their banners and their language in podium speeches to the armed camp.

Militiamen associate themselves with the Wikipedia:patriot movement[15] and sovereign citizen or state citizen movement, whereas others align more with quasi-Christian apocalypticists, or combinations thereof. Adherents describe their militia movement as centered on a belief that individual liberties are in jeopardy due to unconstitutional actions taken by Wikipedia:US Federal Government, Wikipedia:US Bureau of Land Management, Wikipedia:US National Park Service, Wikipedia:US Forest Service appointed bureaucrats, or special interest groups. Journalists and researchers have associated the patriot movement with the right-wing Wikipedia:militia movement[16] They use Waco as a rallying cry.[17][18][19]

Distinctive Style and Appearance[edit]

Members of the Bundy Militia distinctively wear camouflage military uniforms, protective vests and battle gear during armed conflicts. Some Bundy Militia dress in blue plaid shirts, cowboy hats, blue denim jeans, and cowboy boots, emulating the cowboy style of leader Clive Bundy. Many carry sidearms slung low on their hip with leather holsters in old west style. Some of the Bundy Militia are horse-mounted, moving in western cavalry formation style, waving flags and wielding guns.

Weaponry and Wikipedia:Armaments Used[edit]

Bundy Militia is well-armed and has displayed a wide variety of handguns and long guns during conflicts. The armaments wielded or displayed in Bundy Militia actions include: revolvers, semi-automatic handguns, semi-automatic hunting rifles, pump action shotguns, AK47 and AR-15 style assault rifle weapons with large capacity magazines. Status of other Wikipedia:armaments controlled by the militia is unknown.

Flags, Insignia, Slogans, or Identifying Markings[edit]

thumb|alt=Bundy militia symbol|Bundy militia symbol The Bundy Militia flies the Wikipedia:Gadsden flag, also known as the Don't Tread On Me flag which dipicts a yellow field with a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike. Various types of slogans and markings appear on the T-shirts of the militia members, such as the Bundy militia symbol. Patches on militia uniforms include the Gadsden flag and the American flag. Banners appear to show slogans such as "The West Was Won" and "The Fight Has Begun".

Demands and Objectives[edit]

At the Bundy Militia camp in Nevada, a stage with a public address system was set up for rallies. During one of the rallies, Cliven Bundy presented and read of a written list of militia demands to law enforcement officers present. The Bundy Militia demands the immediate disarmament of all US Federal Government officers in the area. The militia demands the teardown of all US Park Service entry booths.[2] The militia demands that US Federal Government lands in the area be handed over to the State of Nevada.[2] Bundy threatened militia actions to take matters into their own hands if their demands were not met within a short period of time.[2] Bundy said, "The people and citizens of America will win this fight.[20] We have God on our side and we will be better prepared for them next time.[20] People have been mobilized by what they have seen and heard and they will come here because they see it as their right to defend the land."[20]

Tactics and Rules of Engagement[edit]

One of the militia leaders, Wikipedia:Richard Mack, was interviewed describing their intention to use human shield tactics.[4][20] The militia organized the use of human shields[4][20] at the front of their column, consisting of a row of unarmed women and children.[20] Another militiaman, Patrick Downs, said, "I will never fire upon a federal agent first. Our rules of engagement are strictly do not fire until fired upon."[1]

Armed Conflicts and Confrontations[edit]

Around 10 April 2014, law enforcement officers were dispatched in response to the growing armed camp of Bundy Militia, alleged threats against local businesses, and alleged threatening statements by Bundy, such as calling for a "range war". Several armed confrontations ensued, with Bundy Militia members taking up sniper positions and wielding handguns.

On 12 April, a militia attack on a roundup corral[9] was organized by Cliven Bundy. Militia snipers took up parapet positions along concrete highway barriers and rocky abutments. Militia snipers pointed long guns at law enforcement personnel during a hostile interaction at a cattle corral under a bridge on Interstate 15 at geographic coordinates Template:coord. Militia members on foot wielded assault weapons against cars and trucks on Interstate 15 to stop traffic at geographic coordinates Template:coord. A force of 1000 militia members[11] faced off about a dozen law enforcement officers[9] issuing tear gas warnings by vehicle loudspeakers.

The use of force of arms in these conflicts elevated the Bundy Militia to the status of a Wikipedia:Violent Non-State Actor. They have been called domestic terrorists.[3][20]

Media Coverage[edit]

Many media outlets have covered Bundy militia actions with text, image, and video.[11]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Murphy, Vanessa (19 April 2014). "The Bundy militia, who are they?". KLAS TV Las Vegas News. http://www.8newsnow.com/story/25286956/the-bundy-militia-who-are-they. Retrieved 19 April 2014. </li>
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Flynn, Michael (16 April 2014). "Amazing footage captures Bundy's militia standoff with BLM & Police". The Independent, News, St. George Utah. http://www.suindependent.com/news/id_5756/EXCLUSIVE-VIDEO:-Amazing-footage-captures-Bundys-militia-standoff-with-BLM-Police.html. Retrieved 19 April 2014. </li>
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Macneal, Caitlin Harry Reid Calls Bundy Supporters 'Domestic Terrorists'. Talking Points Memo, TPM Media LLC. URL accessed on 19 April 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Z, Jimmy Bundy Militia Protester Advocates Women As Human Shields. The 405 Media. URL accessed on 19 April 2014.
  5. ↑ Pags, Joe Bundy Ranch Militia Considered Using Women As Human Shield. WOAI Radio. The Joe Pags Show, WOAI Radio. URL accessed on 19 April 2014.
  6. ↑ Colmes, Alan Bundy Ranch Militia Considered Using Women As Human Shields. Liberaland. Alan Colmes, Liberaland. URL accessed on 19 April 2014.
  7. ↑ Pennacchia, Robyn Charming Bundy Ranch Militia Dude Brags About Planning To Use Women As Human Shields. Death and Taxes Mag. Death and Taxes Magazine. URL accessed on 19 April 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Daniel Hernandez, and Joseph Langdon (13 April 2014). "Federal rangers face off against armed protesters in Nevada 'range war'". The Guardian. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/13/nevada-bundy-cattle-ranch-armed-protesters. Retrieved 19 April 2014. </li>
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Allen, Jonathan (17 April 2014). "Bundy Ranch Standoff Emboldens Militia Groups". http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/17/bundy-ranch-standoff_n_5169522.html. Retrieved 19 April 2014. </li>
  10. ↑ Komenda, Ed (10 April 2014). "Militiamen make their presence felt in protest of BLM’s livestock grab". Las Vegas Sun. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2014/apr/10/militiamen-make-presence-felt-protest-blms-livesto/. Retrieved 19 April 2014. </li>
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Allen, Jonathan (17 April 2014). "After Nevada ranch stand-off, emboldened militias ask: where next?". http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/17/us-usa-ranchers-nevada-militia-insight-idUSBREA3G26620140417. Retrieved 19 April 2014. </li>
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Associated Press Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy revels in dispute over land. SF Gate, Hearst Communications. URL accessed on 20 April 2014.
  13. ↑ Solodow, Joseph Latin Alive: The Survival of Latin in English and the Romance Languages, Cambridge University Press, 2010 p.160 "out of the phrase posse comitatus “the force of the county” arose our present use of posse for a group of men whom the sheriff calls upon in a crisis."
  14. ↑ Marks, Kathy (1996). Faces of right wing extremism, Branden Publishing Company.
  15. ↑ John Wallace, American Patriot Movement
  16. ↑ The age of anxiety: conspiracy theory and the human sciences By Jane Parish
  17. ↑ Right-wing Counterculture Uses Waco as Rallying Cry| Herald-Journal 24 April 1995
  18. ↑ Salon.com Books | America's homegrown terrorists
  19. ↑ Winerip, Michael (June 23, 1996). "Ohio Case Typifies the Tensions Between Militia Groups and Law". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/23/us/ohio-case-typifies-the-tensions-between-militia-groups-and-law.html. </li>
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6 Pleasance, Chris (18 April 2014). "Domestic terrorists. Senator Harry Reid brands Nevada cattle rancher Cliven Bundy and his supporters enemies of the US". The Daily Mail, Newspaper, UK. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2607747/Senator-Harry-Reid-brands-Nevada-cattle-rancher-Cliven-Bundy-supporters-domestic-terrorists.html. Retrieved 19 April 2014. </li> </ol>

Retrieved from "http://eng.anarchopedia.org/index.php?title=Bundy_militia&oldid=57168"