United States of America: The Michigan Militia including its area(s) of operation; whether it harasses its opponents and, if so, how; the response of law enforcement officials to complaints regarding members of the militia and their activities

Three representatives of research and analysis institutions stated in separate telephone interviews that American militia groups generally share a belief in a "conspiracy theory" that the United States is at risk of succumbing to a world government to be imposed with the help of the United Nations (Simon Wiesenthal Center 10 June 1999; Political Research Associates 10 June 1999; Southern Poverty Law Center 11 June 1999). According to these representatives, these paramilitary groups also believe that the American federal government is complicit in this alleged conspiracy for a new world order (NWO). While all three stated that the great majority of militia members are not involved in unlawful activities, they cautioned that the movement does attract extremists who are capable of dangerous acts. These representatives all stated that the militias in Michigan share these general characteristics of militias, but added that while the reference to the "Michigan Militia" is most common, there are also a number of other distinct militias in that state.

The representatives are a Senior Researcher at the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles; a Senior Analyst with Political Research Associates in Somerville, Maine, which conducts research into the "ideology and tactics of the political 'right' in the United States"; and, a Research Analyst with the Intelligence Project of the Southern Poverty Law Centre which "began as a small civil rights law firm in 1971. ... created Klanwatch in 1981 in response to a resurgence of Ku Klux Klan activity [and] today, ... tracks the activities of more than 400 racist and neo-Nazi groups" (SPLC n.d.).

The SPLC publishes an annual list of "Active Hate Groups" and "Active Patriot Groups" in the United States. In the prelude to its listing of "patriot" groups, which includes militias, the SPLC states:

Generally, patriot groups define themselves as opposed to the "New World Order" or advocate or adhere to extreme antigovernment doctrines. Listing here does not imply that the groups themselves advocate or engage in violence or other criminal activity, or are racist. The list was compiled from field reports, Patriot publications, the Internet, law enforcement sources and news reports. When known, groups are identified by the city, town or county where they are located (1998).

This list identifies thirty-eight militias active in Michigan in 1998, as well as 11 other "patriot" groups. Please see the attached list for the names of these groups.

The Senior Analyst of Political Research Associates said that "it would be fair to call the Michigan Militia a defensive vigilante movement" (10 June 1999). He described militias as "private armies" whose speech, however "strange" or "inciting" it may be, is protected by the first amendment. He described the general beliefs of militias as "apocalyptic" with a world-view that can place blame on communists, Jews, homosexuals, and environmentalists, among others. He said that members of militias are sometimes "so wound up in their theories, they could go after people." He said that after the Oklahoma bombing in 1995 many people left the militias and that, as a result, those remaining are "more doctrinaire."

When asked, during a 16 June 1999 telephone interview, whether a person could turn to police if they were in fear of militia members, the Senior Analyst acknowledged that there are "a handful of low-level law enforcement officials that are affiliated with militias" and made reference to sheriffs. However, he said that "there are plenty of higher levels of avenues of protection that can be pursued" by a person in fear. He stated that "it is abundantly clear that there has been aggressive prosecution of those arrested for unlawful militia activities." He said that a person could "certainly go to the FBI," or the Justice Department, or other places and that it "wouldn't be difficult for an individual to find these avenues of recourse."

The Senior Researcher at the Simon Wiesenthal described the Michigan Militia "as one of the most organized" and stated that there are branches in each of the state's counties (10 June 1999). In response to a question about a claim by the Michigan Militia that they had forced out some members, he acknowledged that the group had "for the most part got rid of the more militant members." He stated that the average militia member "is not a terrorist" but rather someone who "is there to assist in times of his/her country's need." However, he stated that as a result of the very nature of the beliefs of militias, there "might be extremists" presently involved with the Michigan Militia. He added that he hasn't heard much in regard to activities of the Michigan Militia recently and that "it has been relatively quiet in recent months." When asked if the Michigan Militia might take some form of action against a person who was open about his/her beliefs as a communist, the Senior Researcher said there likely would be "rhetoric" directed against such a person. Furthermore, "every militia has members who are on the edge" and that there is "always someone who is willing to carry it further."

The Research Analyst with the SPLC stated that there are many different brigades, or groups, of militias in Michigan, some of which are organizationally linked and some of which are independent (11 June 1999). The main group, often generically referred to as the "Michigan Militia" had Norm Olson as its original commander. When asked about this militia's claim that he had been removed from this position because of comments he made in regard to the Oklahoma City bombing, she said that he had resigned but was now commander of the Northern Regional Michigan Militia, which is a regional component of the state militia he once led. While the Research Analyst stated that other militias in the state are "spin-offs," she described an important split in the main Michigan militia group based on members' attitude towards racism. She said that those promoting racist beliefs are linked to a faction called "Christian Identity," an orientation present in other state militias as well. However, she said that the current commander of the Michigan Militia, Lynn Van Huizen, holds the position that people of any colour should be accepted as militia members.

When asked how militias in Michigan might react to a person who was open about his/her beliefs in communism, the Research Analyst said that, while the question was unique, and she could not be certain, she suggested that the communist might be accepted as a member in some militia groups, if the s/he were also openly racist. When asked if the militias might take some action against such a person because of their communist identity, she said that she did not know. However, she said that if a person took a complaint about a threat from a militia to the police, it would be investigated. Particularly since the Oklahoma bombing, both the police and the courts have taken seriously allegations of illegal activities on the part of militias. According to the Website of the SPLC, while 24 states have passed an anti-militia law that would prohibit "unauthorized military organizations," Michigan is not one of them (n.d.).

The Research Analyst stated that the militias in Michigan have not been very active lately, although they have held some rallies. She stated that there have been no "vigilante actions lately." However, three members of a Michigan-based militia group, known as the North American Militia, were arrested a couple of years ago and then sentenced for "plotting" to assassinate federal officials. In terms of Michigan militia activity outside of the state, she said that Norm Olson had called for a national regrouping to take place at Camp Wolverine in Michigan.

The Websites of both the Michigan Militia Corps and the Michigan Militia Wayne County reflect the general characteristics of militias outlined by the sources above. However, it is not evident whether the Wayne County group is a regional component of the Michigan Militia Corps. The Michigan Militia Corps states that it is non-racist, with membership open to all; that it condemns terrorism, "bomb-making and other such illegal activities"; that it has expelled members "for partaking in such activities"; and that it has "absolutely no intention of using any weapons offensively against anybody. It is our job to protect what liberties we have left" (n.d.a). This organization was formed in 1993, is structured with nine "divisions," and has adopted "Wolverines" as its name (n.d.b). For a geographical breakdown of the Michigan Militia Corps, please see the attached map (n.d.c). Within the Corps' Manual there is a reference to a "restructuring" of the organization because "the lack of rules and guidelines has resulted in an undisciplined mob with as many different interpretations as there are members" and, as a result, the restructuring is intended "to eliminate the dissension and destructive influences that are currently threatening to destroy the [Michigan Militia Corps - Wolverines] MMCW" (n.d.d). In terms of the Wolverines' attitude toward communists, the Website declares that "Marxism, Communism, and Fascism are responsible for the slaughter of over 90,000,000 (that's ninety million) innocent human beings and the forced abortion of millions of children a year" (n.d.e).

For a general description of the Michigan Militia of Wayne County please see the attached "Statement of Purpose and Mission" taken from its Website. In reference to communism, the January 1998 newsletter of the organization contains an article entitled "Bill of No Rights," written by a State Representative in Georgia, with a preamble that states:

We the sensible people of the United States. ...hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt-ridden, delusional, and other liberal, commie, pinko bedwetters.

The following excerpts from newspaper reports published by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in Terrorism Update describe legal actions taken against persons associated with militias in Michigan. Three members of the North American Militia of Southwestern Michigan were arrested by federal authorities on suspicion "of having plotted terrorist attacks, including the murders of Federal employees and judges and the bombings of highways and Federal buildings" (AP 19 Mar. 1998). One of these persons, "as part of a plea bargain...pleaded guilty to Federal charges he conspired to possess machine guns, threatened to assault and murder Federal employees and to damage and destroy Federal buildings" (The Detroit News 3 June 1998). One of the two other North American Militia members "was convicted of plotting to blow up an IRS office and a television station and threatening to kill Federal officials" (AP 18 Nov. 1998). Mark Koernke, described as a "militia activist...on the run as a state and Federal fugitive" was caught after fleeing bail and failing to appear "for his May 1998 trial where he was facing a charge of threatening a process server with an assault rifle. In an affidavit filed in Federal court in Grand Rapids, Michigan Koernke is accused of urging followers in a June radio broadcast to shoot Assistant U.S. Attorney Lloyd Meyer, a leading prosecutor of high-profile militia cases" (Ann Arbor News 23 July 1998).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Ann Arbor News. 23 July 1998. Excerpt published by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in Terrorism Update/Counterterrorism at Home. Fall 1998. No. 15. [Internet] [Accessed 9 June 1999]

Associated Press (AP). 18 November 1998. Excerpt published by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in Terrorism Update/Counterterrorism at Home. Winter 1998. No. 16. [Internet] [Accessed 9 June 1999]

_____. 19 March 1998. Excerpt published by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in Terrorism Update/Counterterrorism at Home. April 1998. No. 13. [Internet] [Accessed 9 June 1999]

The Detroit News. 3 June 1998. Excerpt published by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in Terrorism Update/Counterterrorism at Home. Summer 1998. No. 14. [Internet] [Accessed 9 June 1999]

Michigan Militia Corps. N.d. Website. < http://militia.gen.mi.us/>

_____. N.d.a. "Thanks for Checking Us Out..." [Internet] [Accessed 3 June 1999]

_____. N.d.b. "Frequently Asked Questions..." [Internet] [Accessed 3 June 1999]

_____. N.d.d. "Manual 1-1 Revised." [Internet] [Accessed 3 June 1999]

_____. N.d.e. "Marxism/Socialism/Fascism." [Internet] [Accessed 7 June 1999]

Michigan Militia of Wayne Country. N.d. Website.

_____. January 1998. Mitchell Kaye. "Bill of No Rights." [Internet] [Accessed 3 June 1999]

Political Research Associates, Somerville, Maine. 10 and 16 June 1999. Telephone interviews with a Senior Analyst.

Simon Wiesenthal Center, Los Angeles. 10 June 1999. Telephone interview with a Senior Researcher.

Southern Poverty Law Centre, Montgomery, Alabama. 11 June 1999. Telephone interview with a Research Analyst with the Intelligence Project.

_____. 31 December 1998. "Center Attorneys Craft Model Anti-Militia Law." [Internet] [Accessed 16 June 1999]

_____. 1998. "Active Patriot Groups in 1998: Michigan." [Internet] [Accessed 15 June 1999]

Attachments

Michigan Militia Corps. N.d.c. "The Michigan Militia Corps." [Internet] [Accessed 3 June 1999]

Michigan Militia of Wayne County. N.d. "Statement of Purpose and Mission." [Internet] [Accessed 3 June 1999]

Southern Poverty Law Centre, Montgomery, Alabama. 1998. "Active Patriot Groups in 1998: Michigan." 2 pp.  [Internet] [Accessed 15 June 1999]

Additional Sources Consulted

Amnesty International. 1998. Amnesty International Report1998.

     Human Rights Watch (HRW). 1998. Human Rights Watch World Report 1999.

Resource Centre. United States country file. April 1997 - June 1999.

_____. United States: Amnesty International country file. March 1998 - June 1999.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, REFWORLD.