The Virginia headquartered, “white nationalist” group Occidental Dissent today condemned the March 28, 2010 public awareness event by Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) to promote racial equality, gender equality, and religious pluralism and freedom. The R.E.A.L. event was remembering the sacrifice of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was assassinated on April 4, 1968. In addition, R.E.A.L. was honored to have Damanga Executive Director Mohamed Yahya speak on the need to address the continuing genocide in Darfur.
The “white nationalist” group Occidental Dissent condemned such efforts to promote human rights, however, stating “In your words, we are trying to ‘rebuild a network of hate,’ which is not far from the truth.”
The “white nationalist” Occidental Dissent also group condemns those seeking defending Darfur from genocide, stating: “Unlike you, White Nationalists don’t care about African countries like Sudan. In your honor, I have created a Facebook group called ‘I Don’t Give a Damn About Darfur.'”
In their condemnation of the March 28 R.E.A.L. human rights event, the Occidental Dissent quotes the “14 words” slogan of terror plotter and “white nationalist” David Lane, who was one of the founders of the white supremacist terrorist group “The Order,” which dedicated itself to delivering “our people from the Jew and bring total victory to the Aryan race.” Convicted David Lane is infamous for his “14 word” slogan used by Neo-Nazi groups and white supremacists, including terrorist plotters such as Stormfront forum member Daniel Cowart who recently pleaded guilty to a plot to kill 102 Americans, including a plot to behead 14 black Americans (in homage to this Lane’s “14 word” slogan).
In the Occidental Dissent’s “letter to Jeffrey Imm,” it states “I have no objection to your description of Occidental Dissent as a ‘White Nationalist’ group, but I would like to be personally referred to as a ‘Neo-Confederate.’ Some other favorites are ‘secessionist,’ ‘disunionist,’ and ‘Southern nationalist.’ I have stated that my ultimate goal is the creation of a White ethnostate in the American South. I don’t foresee this ethnostate including Washington, D.C. Most of us would prefer to cede that cesspool to the present multiracial regime.”
Occidental Dissent’s mission is “the creation of a Jew-free, racially exclusive White ethnostate in North America.” They seek to spread such “white nationalist” hate views in Virginia, the Washington DC area, and around the nation.
Occidental Dissent was a promoter of a “white nationalist” conference led by the Virginia group “American Renaissance” that was to be held in the Washington DC area in February 2010, before R.E.A.L. educated the public about their “white nationalist” ideology, and it was subsequently canceled by local hotels. One of the scheduled speakers for the February “American Renaissance” conference was a man who called the Holocaust as “the Holohoax,” and who had previously spoken at an event attended by white supremacist terrorist James Von Brunn. James Von Brunn attacked the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) in June 2009 and killed black security guard Stephen Tyrone Johns. Other groups promoting the DC-area “American Renaissance” conference included the Stormfront group (where members praised Von Brunn as a “martyr”) and the VDARE group that called Von Brunn “an intelligent man.”
Like other hate groups, the Occidental Dissent seeks to attack private individuals, and continues to spread lies about Jeffrey Imm’s wife Ariele, as part of their efforts to get Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) to end their defense of human rights.
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our unqualified, universal human rights for all. We urge “white nationalist” supporters and all those who promote hate against others to drop the burden of the hate of from their hearts.
Nigeria: A Nigeria ‘Taliban’ leader tells of a desire to fight the U.S.
— LA Times: “The rebel group in Nigeria’s Muslim north engaged in deadly clashes with security forces last year. It has gone underground and wants to shift its focus away from domestic targets, one of its leaders”
— “Reporting from Maiduguri, Nigeria – Nigeria’s “Taliban,” named for its heroes in a far-off land, could provide willing recruits for attacks on American targets, one of the group’s leaders boasted in a rare interview that had the trappings of a spy novel.”
— “With equal parts bluster and chilling resolve, the slight 30-year-old explained why the militant Islamic group that set up its own “Afghanistan” base in northern Nigeria wants to shift its focus from domestic targets.”
— “‘The U.S. is the major target because it’s the major aggressor against Muslims throughout the world,’ said the young man, who wore a bottle-green caftan and gave his name only as Musa. ‘America is the main aggressor, and I believe all these attacks against America are divine worship.'”
— “He gazed straight ahead as he spoke, never meeting the eyes of his interviewer.”
— “‘They are fighting Islam and we will also fight them, if we get the chance,’ he said.”
— “The Nigerian Taliban has been regarded as a bit player in the jostling field of extremism, unlikely to pose a threat to Europe and the Americas. This West African nation, however, came under renewed scrutiny after a young Nigerian man was arrested on suspicion of attempting to detonate explosives concealed in his underpants on a Detroit-bound flight on Christmas Day.”
— “Jos — The Federal Government has charged 32 persons over the January 2010 Jos crisis and the raid in Dogo Nahauwa and Rasat villages with terrorism.The charges filed through the Assistant Chief State Counsel, Barrister E.E Akissa, before the Federal High Court in Jos last Friday said 17 persons were charged over the recent villages raid while 15 suspects were charged over the January crisis.”
— “Barrister Akissa filed three different cases, FHC/J/30c/2010, FHC/J/14c/2010 and FHC/ J/17/2010 against the 17 suspects, who he claimed were from Bauchi and Plateau States. He also charged them on a three count charge of terrorism, including conspiracy, which is punishable under Section 518 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap.38 and Section 15(2) of the EFCC Laws, 2004 and Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
— “He said the suspects armed with dangerous weapons, charms and Indian hemp wraps intimidated the resident of Dogo Nahauwa and Rasat villages. On the January crisis, which started in Dutse Uku in Nassarawa Gwom area, Counsel to the Federal Government alleged in a suit charge number FHC/J/28c/2010 that Shafiu Dan Malam, 48 and six others all of Dutse uku in Nassarawa Gwom area of Plateau State conspired and carried out terrorist acts while armed with dangerous weapons which is contrary to Section 518 of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004. On the second count, the counsel alleged that on January 19, while armed with dangerous weapons, they committed several terrorist acts.”
— “Barrister Akissa also said Mr Yakubu Isah and seven others who were charged on the first count had on January 19 conspired and agreed to cause breach of peace which is a punishable offence under Section 518(6).”
— “He said they moved about with arms like knives, cutlasses, sticks, spears, bows and arrows and that their action caused terror to many persons which is an offence contrary to Section 15(2) of the EFCC act 2004 and punishable under the same law.”
— “Presiding judge, Justice Stephen Adah, is expected to fix a date for mention.”
Jeffrey Imm urged people of all beliefs and all faiths to stop on April 4 and take a moment of reflective silence or prayer in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4.
R.E.A.L. also intermixed civil rights music along with speaking on major issues of the day in terms of human rights issues, including:
— Racial supremacism and the need for racial harmony and respect. R.E.A.L. addressed the growing problem of racial supremacism in America, and R.E.A.L.’s efforts in defying white supremacist efforts to spread hate in the Washington DC area. Jeffrey Imm recalled last year’s event at the Lincoln Memorial on April 4, 2009 warning of the rise of such hate groups, and the subsequent white supremacist terrorist attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial on June 20, 2009. R.E.A.L. also addressed its efforts in defying the efforts of “white nationalist hate groups” such as the American Renaissance, Stormfront, and Occidental Dissent in seeking to expand their recruitment in the Washington DC area.
— Misogyny and the need for gender equality and respect. R.E.A.L. addressed the need for Constitutional equality for all American women, stating “the words you see engraved in the wall of the Lincoln Memorial — that all men are created equal — we need to also recognize Constitutional equality for all American women to be equal as well. That too should be a declaration, never a question.” R.E.A.L. addressed the misogyny and violence against American women, including “honor killings” and hate against Muslim women in America (such as the November 2009 case of Noor Almaleki in Arizona), as well as such “honor killings,” stonings, oppression, and hate against Muslim and non-Muslim women around the world. R.E.A.L. addressed the horrific attacks on other women around the world, from the abuse of Chinese women in Communist China, to the genocide of women in Sudan’s Darfur, and the rape and murder of women in the Congo. (Mohamed Yahya later separately addressed the issues of Sudan and Darfur. This will be addressed in a separate posting.)
— Denial of religious freedom, the challenge of totalitarianism and religious extremism, and the need for religious freedom and pluralism. R.E.A.L. addressed the many whose religious freedom continues to be denied around the world today, such as in Communist China, where Christians and Muslims (and people with other belief structures such as the Falun Gong) are arrested and their houses of worship destroyed by the totalitarian Communist government, simply for seeking freedom of conscience. R.E.A.L discussed those who would deny freedom of religion based on a religious extremist view that is intolerant of religious pluralism and freedom of conscience, and stood on behalf of those converts to Christianity from Islam who were being oppressed as “apostates.” R.E.A.L. praised the efforts of the group “Set My People Free to Worship Me” who were planning global events on Easter eve, April 3, calling for religious freedom for such Christian converts. R.E.A.L. addressed the challenges of people in minority religions in nations such as Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, where religious freedom, pluralism, and tolerance rejected the freedom of religion for Christians, Hindus, and other sects of Islam. R.E.A.L. condemned the disease of violence against people of minority religions around the world, including the recent massacres in Nigeria of over 500 Christians. R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm called for support of religious freedom and freedom of conscience as part of our universal human rights around the world. R.E.A.L. also reminded Americans that America has the responsibility to set an example for defending freedom of religion in our nation, and that all religions must condemn, denounce, and seek the end of those who would vandalize and attack houses of worship of any faith in America, as we so often see today, in attacks on churches, synagogues, and mosques.
R.E.A.L. message at the Lincoln Memorial public awareness event was:
— “Human Rights are Your Right”
— “Human Rights are Your Responsibility”
— “Be Responsible”
— “Be Responsible for Equality And Liberty”
At the conclusion of the event, R.E.A.L. and other members of the public said a public prayer for peace, justice, and human rights on the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool steps, remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and calling for all Americans and all human beings, to “Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.”
Photos from March 28 event:
March 28, 2010 - Group Prayer for Peace and Human Rights at Lincoln Memorial
Damanga's Mohamed Yahya Speaks on Darfur and Sudan
On March 28, 2010, at Responsible for Equality And Liberty’s (R.E.A.L.) public awareness event on human rights at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, Damanga Executive Director Mohamed Yahya spoke on the pressing issues of Darfur and Sudan. Mohamed Yahya passionately conveyed to the public the continuing suffering of the people in Darfur and Sudan. He addressed the continuing genocide of the Darfuri people, and their suffering and poverty, including the attacks by the Janjaweed and the refusal of the Omar Al-Bashir government to respect the Darfuri people’s human rights.
Damanga's Mohamed Yahya Speaks at Washington DC's Lincoln Memorial on Darfur
While crowds around the Lincoln Memorial stopped to listen, Mohamed Yahya told them of the continuing need for Americans to get involved in helping the Darfuri people, and he urged them to call for the Obama administration to take action on Darfur. He reminded the public of pledges made by members of the administration during the electoral campaign, and then the failure to take aggressive action to bring justice to the Darfuri people today. He reminded the public of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) indictments against Sudan president Omar Al-Bashir. Moreover, Mr. Yahya pointed out, as he did in his recent article “A Deal with a Devil,” that there can be no peace in Sudan without justice and human rights for Darfur.
As volunteers passed out fliers on Damanga and the Darfur genocide, Mohamed Yahya asked the public to consider the importance of “saving just one human life,” and how taking such personal responsibility would provide an indelible sense of accomplishment, purpose, and meaning in our lives as individuals. “Then imagine,” Mohamed Yahya added, “how much more would it mean to help save a million or more lives?” Over 400,000 have been killed in Darfur, countless women have been raped and abused in Darfur, and there are an estimated 2.6 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) at risk. Despite an abundance of oil and other natural resources controlled by the Omar Al-Bashir government, the vast majority of Sudan’s people live in poverty, and many children die daily from malnutrition and poverty.
Damanga's Mohamed Yahya Speaks of Need to Save Lives from Genocide in Darfur
Members of the public were moved to show their support and joined Mohamed Yahya on the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool steps holding signs calling for justice and human rights in Darfur.
Washington DC: Public Passerby Demonstrate Solidarity for Darfur Justice and Human RightsWashington DC: American Young Women Stand in Support of Justice and Human Rights for Darfur
Mohamed Yahya pointed out the solidarity of people of all races and religions opposing the genocide and the human rights abuses in Darfur, standing with Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)’s Jeffrey Imm.
Mohamed Yahya and Jeffrey Imm Grasp Hands in Solidarity Together on Lincoln Memorial Calling for Justice and Human Rights in Darfur
R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm then concluded the public awareness event with an inter-faith prayer and moment of reflection from people of all beliefs and conscience on behalf of the Darfuri people. He invited members of the public to join them on the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool steps to pray for peace, justice, and human rights for the people of Darfur and Sudan.
The March 28, 2010 Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) public awareness event was held on the Washington DC Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool steps as R.E.A.L.’s annual remembrance of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was assassinated on April 4, 1968, and who R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm praised as a hero for human rights everywhere who gave his life for all of us. As Easter Sunday falls on April 4 this year, R.E.A.L. was holding this event on March 28.
The R.E.A.L. message at the March 28 Lincoln Memorial event was that while Dr. King had a dream, we have a responsibility to human rights for our fellow human beings. Jeffrey Imm stated “human rights are our rights, and human rights are our responsibility. This responsibility includes the responsibility to speak out, to not stay silent, and to demand action by our government and international bodies on the continuing oppression, continuing genocide, and continuing injustice in Darfur. Be responsible. Be responsible for equality and liberty.”
Pakistan’s The News reports: “25 Hindu girls abducted every month, claims HRCP official”
— “As many as 20 to 25 girls from the Hindu community are abducted every month and converted forcibly, said Amarnath Motumal, an advocate and council member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.”
— “‘There is no official record to support this statement, but according to estimates, in Karachi alone, a large number of Hindu girls are being kidnapped on a routine basis,’ Motumal told The News. “The families of the victims are scared to register cases against the influential perpetrators as death threats are issued to them in case they raise their voice. So, the victims choose to remain silent to save their lives,’ he said.”
— “Motumal said the word ‘Hindu’ had become an insult and a kind of abuse for the Hindu community. ‘Almost 90 per cent of the Hindu community comprise poor and impoverished families whose needs and rights have been neglected by the ones at the helms of power,’ he said, adding that since a majority of the people feel helpless, only a few families come to him with their cases.”
— “A former MPA, Bherulal Balani, said that the Hindu girls, especially the ones belonging to scheduled castes, were mostly being abducted from the Lyari area. “Once the girls are converted, they are then sold to other people or are forced to do illegal and immoral activities,” Balani said. He added the perpetrators were very powerful and that was the reason that no cases were being registered against them.”
— “The number of attacks against the Hindu community has increased in the interior Sindh during the last three months. At least nine incidents have been reported which range from forced conversion of Hindus to rape and murders.”
— “In one incident, a 17-year-old girl ‘K’ was gang-raped in Nagarparker area. In another incident, a 15-year-old girl ‘D’ was allegedly abducted from Aaklee village, Tharparkar, and was forced to convert. About 71 families migrated from the village in protest against the girl’s abduction.”
— “Moreover, the Hindu communities were not even spared on the occasion of their joyous festival of Holi as two girls, Anita and Kishni, were kidnapped in Kotri. Moreover, two Hindu boys, Ajay and Sagar, were abducted from another place on the same day.”
— “One Amir Gul was murdered in the beginning of March in Tando Haider, Umerkot, allegedly by a landlord. Later in the month, a boy, Kishan Kumar, was kidnapped from Kandhkot, Jacobabad.”
— “MPA Pitamber Sewani told The News that these acts were being done by certain elements who believe that these minority communities might support the government in the upcoming local bodies’ elections, and these elements want to harass them.”
— “However, President Pakistan Hindu Council Ramesh Kumar criticised the minorities’ representatives for not raising their voice at relevant forums. He said that they were simply representing their respective parties and not the poor people. He added that poor economic conditions had led to an increase in kidnapping cases in the province, especially in the Kandhkot and Jacobabad areas.”
— “Coordinator HRCP Task Force Sindh Dr Ashothama Lohano told The News the according to their one fact-finding report, the most affected persons of violence belonged to Hindu and Christian communities. He said that various reasons have been cited for this. ‘The recent wave of extremism is one reason, which has destroyed the harmony of the land of Sufis. Another reason is the destruction of the agriculture sector and small markets that has led to frustration and lawlessness. Yet another reason is that the elected representatives are working only for the party and not for the community,’ Dr Lohano added.”
— “He further said that minority communities were easy targets as the Hindus were generally hesitant to raise voice against the injustices. ‘When the Hindu communities become politically active, they are blamed for having Indian connections,’ doctor Lohano said.”
Pakistan: 12 year-old girl Nadini abducted and missing since December 2009 (Pakistan Daily Times)
Federal law enforcement agencies held raids on groups in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana on March 27 and 28, 2010, arresting eight individuals who were members of the Christian extremist militia “Hutaree,” which a federal indictment describes as an “anti-government extremist organization which advocates violence against local, state, and Federal law enforcement.” They have been charged with attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, seditious conspiracy, teaching the use of explosive materials, and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. A bond hearing is scheduled for the arrested on March 31 at 1 PM. The Wall Street Journal also suggests that one of the indicted may have been an undercover federal agent.
Eight Hutaree Christian Militia Indicted Members: Top row, from left, are Joshua Clough, Michael Meeks, Thomas Piatek and Kristopher Sickles. Bottom row, from left, are David Stone Jr., David Stone Sr., Tina Stone and Jacob Ward. (Photos from U.S. Marshals Service)
On the night of March 29, 2010, the ninth member of the Hutaree militia indicted, Joshua Matthew Stone, was arrested after a standoff with law enforcement agencies. The Detroit News reports that “He faces charges that include sedition and use of weapons of mass destruction. Stone was allegedly the second-in-command of the Hutaree, a group that describes itself as a Christian militia preparing to battle the forces of the Antichrist. His father, David Brian Stone, was its alleged leader.”
Joshua Matthew Stone (Photo: U.S. Marshals Service)
Hutaree Militia Patch Promoting Colonial Christian Republic (CCR)
The Department of Justice states that “According to the indictment, Hutaree members view local, state, and federal law enforcement as the ‘brotherhood’, their enemy, and have been preparing to engage them in armed conflict. The indictment further alleges that the Hutaree planned to kill an unidentified member of local law enforcement and then attack the law enforcement officers who gather in Michigan for the funeral. According to the plan, the Hutaree would attack law enforcement vehicles during the funeral procession with Improvised Explosive Devices with Explosively Formed Projectiles, which, according to the indictment, constitute weapons of mass destruction. Subsequently, and in furtherance of this plan, David Brian Stone, the Hutaree’s leader, obtained information about such devices over the internet and emailed diagrams of such devices to a person he believed capable of manufacturing the devices. He then had his son, Joshua Matthew Stone, and others gather materials necessary for the manufacturing of such devices.”
“According to the indictment, in June 2009, David Brian Stone and his other son, David Brian Stone, Jr., taught other Hutaree members how to make and use explosive devices intending or knowing that the information would be used to further a crime of violence. In addition, the grand jury charged all nine defendants with carrying or possessing a firearm during a crime of violence on at least one occasion. U.S. Attorney McQuade said, ‘Because the Hutaree had planned a covert reconnaissance operation for April which had the potential of placing an unsuspecting member of the public at risk, the safety of the public and of the law enforcement
community demanded intervention at this time.'”
“Andrew Arena, FBI Special Agent in Charge, said, ‘This is an example of radical and extremist fringe groups which can be found throughout our society. The FBI takes such extremist groups seriously, especially those who would target innocent citizens and the law enforcement officers who protect the citizens of the United States. The FBI would like to thank our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who are member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, for their assistance in this case.”
Hutaree Video Still Photo - Hutaree Recruiting Members for Militia Activities (Photo: YouTube)
U.S. Government Viewed Militia Group Planning Near-Term Attack in April
On March 30, 2010, U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade told the Associated Press that “FBI agents moved quickly against Hutaree because its members were planning an attack sometime in April.” AP reported that U.S. Attorney McQuade said that “federal authorities had been monitoring members of a Michigan-based Christian militia for some time but were forced to “take them down” over the weekend after learning of an imminent threat against police.”
The Hutaree videos posted on their YouTube page include explosion of flammable bombs, sniper training, and mock booby trap and killing of troops. In the Hutaree YouTube videos, the group members hide their faces behind masks.
Hutaree’s web page had a scrolling announcement in red that read “Training April 24th contact headquarters immediately.”
Hutaree Recruitment Video Shows Bomb Explosion as Part of Hutaree Training (Photo: YouTube)Hutaree Sniper Training - Photo 1 (Photo: YouTube)More Hutaree Sniper Training - Simulating Camouflaged Weapons in Woods (Photo: YouTube)Hutaree Recruitment Video Shows Hunting for Troops (Photo: YouTube)Hutaree Recruitment Video Clip Showing Mock Booby Trap (Photo: YouTube)Hutaree Video Clip Shows Simulation of Hutaree Making Certain Soldier is Dead After Booby Trap Bombing (Photo: YouTube)Hutaree Practices Smoke Bomb in Wooded Road Area (Photo: YouTube)Camouflaged Hutaree Practicing Evasive Efforts After Attack - Hiding Their Faces Behind Masks (Photo: YouTube)
Hutaree Militia Sought Christian Extremist “Colonial Christian Republic”
The Hutaree militia sought a Christian extremist “Colonial Christian Republic” or “CCR,” as they referenced it. The CCR was part of their “flag,” and part of their military arm patch. On the Hutaree web site, they called for their members to be “Christian warriors,” in described their values they believe that Jesus wanted us to be ready to defend ourselves using the sword.” Their doctrine states that they believed their armed military efforts were necessary to prepare for the anti-Christ, mocking “the Christian church of today” as “The foolish ones are the ones that expect Christ to arrive too soon,” and justifying their military goals and planning as “based on faith.”
Hutaree Promotes Colonial Christian Republic (CCR) on Website and UniformHutaree Practicing Automatic Rifle Maneuvers wearing CCR Patch (Photo: YouTube)Armed Hutaree Raising Black CCR Flag (Photo: YouTube)Hutaree's CCR Flag Over Their Militia Training Area (Photo: YouTube)Another Hutaree Flag Over Militia Training Area (Photo: YouTube)
Hutaree Friends and Supporters
Hutaree’s Facebook site showed over 30 supporters, including members and promoters of various militia groups and militia causes. Hutaree’s online presence included a group photograph of some of their members in militia uniforms.
Friends of the Hutaree’s YouTube video page include supporters of the Ku Klux Klan, promoters of the Neo Nazi diatribe Turner Diaries, promoters of Confederate States of the United States, and others promoting “white power” and “Aryan” causes.
Hutaree promotes a group called the “Patriot Broadcasting Network” in Michigan, and Militias in Michigan and Ohio. It also promotes a group called “Poker Face” who distributes the”American Freedom Radio” that supports 9/11 conspiracy views and related groups.
Hutaree Militia Training with Automatic Rifles (Photo: YouTube)
Local Michigan Individual’s Reaction; Culture of Weapons, Hate
The Detroit News reports that the Adrian, Michigan area is “no stranger to controversial anti-government movements,” and a number of those they interviewed felt there was nothing to be concerned about. Peter Hayes of Hayes Insurance Agency tells the Detroit News that “I don’t know what they were doing, but they apparently hadn’t caused any trouble here that anyone knew of,” and that “it seemed like a lot of overkill to me this weekend.”
The Detroit News also reports that “Adrian, the Lenawee County seat, is the home base of the Rev. Rick Strawcutter, whose low-power radio station “Radio Free Lenawee” garnered attention for broadcasts stridently denouncing the federal government before it was shut down by the FCC in 2001 because it hadn’t obtained the proper broadcast license.” “Strawcutter, 59, also produced a widely distributed anti-government video, ‘America in Peril,’ which was taped inside his church in 1993…. Last week, he posted a YouTube video in which he lambasted Washington, D.C., politicians. ‘These people are so drunk with power,’ he said. ‘They’re pulling off a dictatorship … maybe this is the last stop, and there’ll be no more elections.’ Strawcutter insisted he has never advocated violence.”
The National Radio Club has a report on “Radio Free Lenawee” and its canceling by the FCC for failure to obtain a proper broadcast license. In the National Radio Club posted report, “The pastor has been operating the station without a license since 1996. The program often has featured nationally known conservative speakers, and the pastor talks about everything from gun control to his own anti-government views. He has been criticized by national watchdog groups, which say he has links to some of the most widely known hate groups in the country. When federal agents first started looking into the station, the pastor kept a gun in the station room.” “The pastor sells videos in the backroom of his 250-member church that offer anti-government rhetoric and Jewish conspiracy beliefs. He has said he believes blacks and whites should not marry and homosexuals in prison should be executed.” The report also states that Pete Hayes with Hayes Insurance Agency, Inc. (also mentioned in the Detroit News report) advertised on the “Radio Free Lenawee” to support Strawcutter, quoting Hayes as stating “”I was just doing it to support him… He’s a very intelligent person.”
The Toledo Blade reported on Strawcutter: “‘He’s a popular figure with people in the neo-Nazi movement,’ says Dr. John Nutter, a former Michigan State University professor who has infiltrated such groups.”
ABC reports that “Brittany Bryant, who is engaged to David Stone Jr., son of the Hutaree’s leader and one of the members arrested in the sweep, said federal officials got it wrong. ‘I don’t think they’re dangerous,’ Bryant said. ‘They’re not doing anything wrong. They’re doing what they want to do.'”
The Detroit Free Press reports on Facebook “Images posted to the public account of Tina Kelley — charged Monday as the recently married Tina Stone — show her wedding to Hutaree ringleader David B. Stone. The wedding party, including a small child, can be seen carrying assault rifles during the event.” TPM has also reported on this in their article “For Hutaree, Militia Ethos Extended To Family Life.”
TPM reports that in “recent wedding pictures posted on Facebook, several Hutaree members who are now in custody are shown posing in front of the militia flag with assault rifles.”
“The pictures were posted on the page of Tina Kelley, which appears to be the maiden name of Tina Stone. Stone is the wife of David Brian Stone, described in the federal indictment as the leader of Hutaree. The couple and two of David Stone’s sons are among the nine Hutaree members charged with seditious conspiracy, attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, and other crimes. The pictures were uploaded last December, at around the same time Kelley updated her relationship status to ‘married.’ Her primary Facebook picture is the patch of the ‘Colonial Christian Republic,’ also featured on the Hutaree Web site. She is friends with several Stones and friends with “Hutaree Christian Militia.” In one group shot, she is shown with several men in fatigues — including a man who appears to be David Stone — along with a woman in formal wear, all wielding assault rifles. Behind them is the flag of Hutaree and a Gadsden flag, a classic symbol of the movement.”
Other Facebook images show Tina Stone and David Stone with weapons, and Tina Stone posing with a small child given an assault rifle to hold.
The Voice of the Martyrs Speaks Out on Christian Love
The VOM stated that “in light of recent arrests in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, VOM has found itself the subject of media inquiry. While we understand that all are innocent until proven guilty and wait for results of the legal process, we want to clearly state that violence is not an acceptable response to religious differences. Our Christian brothers and sisters who have suffered persecution in Jos and other places do not advocate a violent response; they are not calling us to take up arms or to provide them with weapons. Instead they offer love and forgiveness to those who attack them, in the hopes of representing Christ’s love and living out the gospel message.”
“The Voice of the Martyrs exists to provide practical and spiritual support to persecuted Christians in restricted nations, while inviting Christians in the free world into fellowship with them. One of the ways we invite Christians in the free world into that fellowship is through our web site, www.persecution.com. VOM web policy allows any person or group to place a link to persecution.com on their web site if they would like to inform others about the persecution of Christians. Such a link does not imply that VOM has any direct contact or partnership with the owners of the site. VOM policy is that the ministry does not link to outside ministries or organizations on persecution.com; we do not ‘trade links.'”
“To the best of our knowledge, no VOM personnel were aware of Hutaree’s existence or the fact that it had a link to VOM on its web site. VOM has not had any direct contact or partnership with the organization.”
Others may also choose to point to the following passages in the Christian Bible: John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” Luke 6:27-28: “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) urges all those who promote hate and supremacism, of any kind, religious or racial, to reject ideologies of hate and intolerance. We support our unqualified, universal human rights for all. We urge hate group supporters to drop the burden of the hate of supremacism from their hearts, and to rejoin the family of humanity in support of our universal human rights.
— The Snyder family is seeking donations to help them continue their suit.
— Synder family states: “Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder, of Finksburg, Maryland, died from a non combat-related vehicle accident in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Combat Service Support Group-1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California. Died on March 3, 2006. Matthew was 20 years old.”
“The family of Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, US Marine Corps, has begun this civil lawsuit* against Mr. Phelps and certain members of the so-called Westboro Baptist Church to bring an end to the reign of terror and abuse that they inflicted upon the grieving families of US service members killed in defense of our nation. Using innocent children to deliver their twisted message of hatred and fear, the defendants in this suit have sought to attack the memory of our departed heroes, to strip their loved ones of their dignity, and to use abuse and intimidation as a tool for preventing surviving family members from reaching closure over their loss.”
U.S. Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder, of Finksburg, Maryland - Died in Iraq
