Far-Right Militias Quietly Organizing on Facebook Ahead of US Election
After retreating from the public eye following the January 6th Capitol riot, far-right militia groups are now resurfacing and using Facebook to quietly rebuild their networks and recruit new members ahead of the upcoming US presidential election, according to recent research by the Tech Transparency Project. Despite Meta’s ban on these groups, they appear to be operating on the platform with little concern of enforcement.
Militia Activity Ramps Up After Period of Dormancy
In the aftermath of the Capitol riot, militia extremists laid low for several years. However, they have since begun reorganizing, forming hundreds of public and private Facebook groups and profiles to assemble local militia activity nationwide. These groups are coordinating on the platform, encouraging combat training, and urging followers to prepare for potential conflict.
Militias’ Prominent Role in 2020 Unrest and January 6th
The militia movement gained significant visibility in 2020 amid a perfect storm of events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd protests. Armed individuals in camouflage were seen at anti-lockdown demonstrations, attempting to police protests, and even setting up checkpoints during wildfires in Oregon. This surge in activity culminated in the January 6th Capitol riot, where militias played a central role in the violence that unfolded.
Retreat and Resurgence: Militias Adapt Tactics Post-January 6th
The increased scrutiny on paramilitary groups like the Oath Keepers and Three Percenters following January 6th forced many militias to retreat from public view. Some distanced themselves from the “militia” label, while others splintered off from established organizations. Despite this apparent lull in activity, the anti-government ideology espoused by these groups continued to gain traction in mainstream circles.
Facebook as a Hub for Militia Organizing and Recruitment
Influential figures within the militia world are now leveraging Facebook to build networks of pages, connect with “active patriots,” and facilitate local organizing efforts. Local chapters are crucial to the militia movement, as they provide opportunities for in-person training, including firearms and hand-to-hand combat exercises. Some of these training sessions, as seen in videos shared on the platform, appear quite sophisticated and are led by individuals with military backgrounds.
One Facebook user with ties to a Pennsylvania militia posted a video advertising their combat training and trying to get people involved. It shows people holding long guns, semi-automatic rifles in tactical gear, and some of it looks pretty sophisticated.
Vague Goals and Perceived Enemies Fuel Militia Rhetoric
The objectives of these resurgent militia groups remain somewhat ambiguous, centered around anti-government sentiment and a sense of urgency to prepare for potential conflict. Their posts often target a wide array of supposed adversaries, ranging from drag queens and immigrants to pro-Palestine college students, “communists,” government officials, and prominent figures like George Soros and “globalists.”
As the US presidential election approaches, the quiet resurgence of far-right militias on Facebook raises concerns about the potential for organized violence and the platform’s ability to effectively enforce its own policies against extremist groups.
The Resurgence of Militia Groups on Facebook
Oath Keepers and Proud Boys: The Aftermath of January 6
The Oath Keepers, a well-known militia group, and the Proud Boys, a far-right street fighting gang, were the two organizations that federal prosecutors focused on for their involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot. Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the Oath Keepers, was convicted of seditious conspiracy. Following the events of January 6, the number of Oath Keeper chapters decreased from 70 in 2020 to just five in 2022, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Some chapters distanced themselves from the group, disagreeing with the actions taken on that day.
The Rise of American Patriot 3% on Facebook
Despite the decline of the Oath Keepers, other militia networks have emerged on Facebook. One of the most prevalent is the American Patriot 3%, a network of groups that appears on Facebook’s list of banned organizations. These groups focus on facilitating local organizing, with chapters operating at the state and county levels.
The Local Nature of Militia Groups
Militia groups have traditionally operated on a local level, allowing them to carry out offline activities such as training and forming coalitions with other groups when necessary. The emphasis on forming groups with family members, neighbors, and colleagues has always been a significant aspect of the militia movement.
Incendiary Posts and Calls to Action
Some of the posts found in these Facebook groups are clearly encouraging militia action. For example, a post in a 650-member group called Free American Army reads:
Join your local militia or 3% Patriot group. Now more than ever, support the American militia page.
Another post by the administrator of the Free American Army group, who is himself part of a federate Three-Percenter group, features an image of a man in tactical gear with a long rifle and an ominous message:
They aren’t ready. They weren’t ready for an armed Uber driver. They weren’t ready for an armed 17-year-old. They weren’t ready for the people fighting back. They aren’t ready for those that train. They aren’t ready for those that shoot. They aren’t ready for those proficient at it. They aren’t ready for us. They really aren’t. They keep pushing though …
The Spectrum of Militia Groups
It’s important to note that militia groups exist on a spectrum, with some being more incendiary than others. Some groups are simply a gathering of individuals who believe they will assist in the event of a natural disaster, while others have a desire to overthrow the government and display a real bloodlust.
The Emergence of New Leaders and Influencers
Since January 6, the extremist landscape has been largely leaderless. However, a few key influencers have emerged as administrators for these Facebook groups. One notable example is Bryan Masche, a reality TV star from the show “Raising Sextuplets” and a failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate. Masche is the admin for the Arizona State Civilian Guard Facebook group, which advocates for activating the “unorganized militia.”
The Potential Threat of Militia Groups
The resurgence of militia groups on Facebook raises concerns about the potential threat they pose. While some groups may be relatively harmless, others have shown a willingness to engage in armed rebellion and violence. The FBI’s recent foiling of a militia plot to launch an attack serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with these groups.
As the militia movement continues to evolve and adapt to the changing political landscape, it is crucial to monitor their activities and assess the risks they may pose to public safety and national security.
The Resurgence of Militia Groups on Facebook: Implications for the November Election
The Persistence of Anti-Government Extremism
While another January 6-style event seems unlikely, the problem of anti-government extremism in the United States persists. The groups, networks, and sentiments that fueled the Capitol riot are still active, and their future actions and reactions to events remain a concern, particularly with the resurgence of activity on Facebook.
Facebook’s Role in Enabling Militia Groups
Despite Meta’s statement about removing groups and accounts that violate their policies, the company’s efforts to combat the spread of extremism on its platform have been inadequate. Researchers and journalists have repeatedly found militia groups openly identifying themselves on Facebook, even though some of these organizations are banned under the platform’s own rules.
Facebook’s importance to these groups lies in its vast user base, which provides them with the largest possible pool of potential recruits. While some conversations about moving to more secure platforms like Telegram have taken place, militia groups still heavily rely on Facebook to rebuild and expand their networks.
The Connection to the US Election
The resurgence of militia groups on Facebook is particularly concerning in light of the upcoming November election. Election denial groups that emerged after the 2020 election have become more open about their associations with militia leaders, appearing at the same conferences and discussing potential collaborations.
One notable example is the Constitutional Sheriffs movement, whose members believe they are the ultimate authority in their counties and are not subservient to federal or state law. Some of these sheriffs have recruited large “posses” of citizens, and their actions in the event of a disputed election outcome in 2024 remain a question.
Furthermore, prominent figures in the election denial movement, such as former Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne, have publicly stated that “militia” should no longer be considered a dirty word, indicating a growing acceptance of these groups within certain circles.
I think that part of this renewed willingness to associate with paramilitary groups is also linked to the romanticization of January 6.
As the November election approaches, the resurgence of militia groups on Facebook and their increasing ties to the election denial movement raise concerns about the potential for future unrest and the platform’s role in enabling the spread of extremism.
The Mainstreaming of Militia Movements and Conspiracy Theories
The Rise of Anti-Government Sentiment
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of anti-government sentiment in the United States. This sentiment has been fueled by various factors, including the events of January 6th, the prosecution of those involved, and the ongoing efforts to pin the blame on “antifa” or other agitators. The prosecution of President Donald Trump has also contributed to a massive anti-FBI sentiment in the mainstream, which aligns with the views of militia groups who have long held a disdain for the FBI.
The Convergence of Militia Groups and Conspiracy Theorists
The January 6th prisoners are now often referred to as “hostages” rather than political prisoners, and this narrative has become a rallying cry for various militia groups and conspiracy theorists. These groups are increasingly coming together, sharing common beliefs and goals, and their interactions raise questions about how this convergence will play out in the upcoming November elections.
The Role of Political Figures in Fueling Anti-Government Sentiment
The rise of anti-government sentiment has been further amplified by the rhetoric of political figures like former President Donald Trump. For years, Trump has been pushing the idea that the government and its oversight are bad for the people, and this message has only intensified since he left office. At the grassroots level, groups like Moms for Liberty are advocating for a distrust in the government’s ability to educate children, instead promoting private school education. Meanwhile, Trump continues to urge his supporters not to trust the government or President Biden, promising to restore what they have lost if they vote for him.
The Uncertain Future of Militia Movements
As militia groups continue to gain traction and push anti-government sentiment, the future remains uncertain. The convergence of these groups with conspiracy theorists and the endorsement of their views by prominent political figures raises concerns about the potential consequences in the coming months and years.
Conspiracy of the Week: A Lighthearted Look at Bizarre Theories
The Cryogenic Freezing of Walt Disney
One long-standing conspiracy theory suggests that Walt Disney was cryogenically frozen upon his death, with the intention of being brought back to life in the future. Some even believe that his frozen body is stored beneath the Pirates of the Caribbean ship at Disneyland. Interestingly, there are speculations that the Disney film “Frozen” was created to divert attention from this conspiracy theory when people searched for “Disney frozen” online.
While the idea of Walt Disney being revived may seem harmless at first glance, given his legacy of creating charming children’s films, it’s important to acknowledge the problematic aspects of his character, including allegations of antisemitism and racism. Moreover, the conspiracy theory has been linked to satanic panic and grooming conspiracies surrounding Disney, with concerns that a same-sex kiss in a Buzz Lightyear film was part of an agenda to brainwash children into the LGBTQ agenda.
The JFK QAnon Cult and the Mysterious Plane
The JFK QAnon cult, an offshoot of the wider QAnon conspiracy, has been deeply fetishizing John F. Kennedy and his family. Some members of this group believe that Donald Trump is JFK in disguise, and they continue to push the idea that JFK will suddenly come back to life, despite the death of their leader last year.
Recently, the group tracked down John F. Kennedy Jr.’s former plane, which he sold in the 1990s, and began monitoring its flight path via online flight radar. On April 25th, they noticed that the flight path resembled a bomb (or, as some observers noted, a 10-year-old’s drawing of a penis). The group interpreted this as a sign from JFK Jr. from beyond the grave, indicating that something significant was about to happen, although the specifics remain unclear.
These bizarre conspiracy theories, while entertaining to discuss, highlight the increasingly complex and interconnected nature of fringe beliefs in modern society. As these ideas continue to gain traction and mainstream attention, it becomes increasingly important to understand their origins, implications, and potential consequences.
1 Comment
Looks like Facebook’s algorithm needs a serious timeout, doesn’t it?