As one who believes in the right to protest and to petition our government for redress of grievances, I have watched the stand-off in Oregon with a mixture of interest and dismay. As I understand it, a group of heavily armed, right-wing extremists took over a wildlife refuge, which was not staffed due to the New Year’s weekend. Their complaint seemed to be with the Bureau of Land Management, though they seem also to have issues with the FBI and the U.S. government in general. One of their first actions was to issue a call for “patriots” to join them.
This prompted me do some research on affiliations these patriots might have. One of the early occupiers, Jon Ritzheimer, led me to two organizations I was not aware of — the 3 percenters and the Oath Keepers (not to be confused with the Promise Keepers). We should all know more about them.
I am very concerned that these armed, right wing extremists may pose a very real, internal national security threat to our country. I think we need to call them what they are: American terrorists.
Jackie Minchew
Everett
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