Anti-Defamation League: Arrests Of Militia Points To Growing Propensity For Violence

New York, NY, … The arrests of the Hutaree militia in Michigan may be a harbinger of a surge of anti-government activity – including violence – across the United States, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

            In a new report, “Violent Voices: Anti-Government Extremism Takes on New Intensity,”  ADL concluded that not only has there has been significant growth in militia activity across the U.S., but also evidence that a broad range of anti-government extremist groups and individuals are ramping themselves up for possible violent confrontation with the authorities.

            Robert G. Sugarman, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

            The anti-government sentiments of the Hutaree militia are unfortunately shared by a growing number of domestic extremists, both within and outside the militia movement.  These arrests are important, but there exists a growing number of extremists who are already armed and preparing for potential conflict with the government.

            Monitoring of Internet chatter related to health care reform and other recent issues indicates that many militia members and anti-government extremists believe this legislation will be followed by the mass legalization of illegal immigrants, postponement or elimination of democratic elections, martial law and gun confiscation.  Like the Hutaree, they believe that a “New World Order” of tyrannical rule is coming. 

            We are deeply concerned about the current trend and about the fact that a significant minority is coming to believe that methods of peaceful protest have failed and the time has come where violence may be necessary or justified.  If this trend continues, the Hutaree arrests may come to be seen not as the culmination, but rather as the first step in a necessary and significant national law enforcement operation.   

            ADL’s report analyzing recent extremist and anti-government Internet chatter, is available for download as a PDF on the League’s Web site at: http://www.adl.org/extremism/Anti-Government-Extremism-Report.pdf

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.