Right-wing domestic terrorism doesn’t fester in a vacuum.
By Jesse Jackson Oct 12, 2020, 3:10pm CDT
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Armed men stand outside the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on April 15, 2020, demanding an end to pandemic restrictions. AP Photos
Political rhetoric can incite. Incendiary posturing can trigger those who carry matches.
We’ve now seen this play out dramatically in Michigan.
Last week, six men, members of a right-wing militia group calling themselves the Wolverine Watchmen, were arrested and charged with plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan before the November elections. Seven others were charged under Michigan’s anti-terrorism law for allegedly seeking to recruit an army of 200 to storm the Michigan Capitol and ignite a “civil war.”
Editorials
The plot went far beyond the Facebook bluster. The defendants, according to the complaint, held “field training exercises,” purchased a taser for use in the kidnapping, tested an explosive device, possessed and trained with firearms, and conducted surveillance of Whitmer’s vacation home, and of a bridge that might be blown up to impede police response.
One argued that they should put the governor on trial for treason. Another allegedly urged: “Snatch and grab man. Grab the f**** governor. Just grab the b****. Because at that point ... it’s over.” Another suggested, “Have one person go to her house. Knock on the door and when she answers it just cap her.”
This right-wing domestic terrorism doesn’t fester in a vacuum. Faced with the pandemic, Gov. Whitmer acted to protect the citizens of her state, closing down private facilities, requiring the wearing of masks and social distancing. She pushed publicly for needed protective equipment in the face of the federal government’s disarray.
Donald Trump, who seems to be threatened by strong women leaders, repeatedly called her out personally. Republicans in the state legislature called her a “tyrant” and railed against her actions, though most Michigan residents supported her efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
Political rhetoric can incite. Incendiary posturing can trigger those who carry matches.
We’ve now seen this play out dramatically in Michigan.
Last week, six men, members of a right-wing militia group calling themselves the Wolverine Watchmen, were arrested and charged with plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan before the November elections. Seven others were charged under Michigan’s anti-terrorism law for allegedly seeking to recruit an army of 200 to storm the Michigan Capitol and ignite a “civil war.”
Editorials
The plot went far beyond the Facebook bluster. The defendants, according to the complaint, held “field training exercises,” purchased a taser for use in the kidnapping, tested an explosive device, possessed and trained with firearms, and conducted surveillance of Whitmer’s vacation home, and of a bridge that might be blown up to impede police response.
One argued that they should put the governor on trial for treason. Another allegedly urged: “Snatch and grab man. Grab the f**** governor. Just grab the b****. Because at that point ... it’s over.” Another suggested, “Have one person go to her house. Knock on the door and when she answers it just cap her.”
This right-wing domestic terrorism doesn’t fester in a vacuum. Faced with the pandemic, Gov. Whitmer acted to protect the citizens of her state, closing down private facilities, requiring the wearing of masks and social distancing. She pushed publicly for needed protective equipment in the face of the federal government’s disarray.
Donald Trump, who seems to be threatened by strong women leaders, repeatedly called her out personally. Republicans in the state legislature called her a “tyrant” and railed against her actions, though most Michigan residents supported her efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
I always knew those right wing militias were all Antifa members judging on the antifa/BLM and anarchists flags on their videos. Imagine all those crazies trying to tell us these plotters were antifa members.
ReplyDeleteHow many readers of this blog believe Jesse Jackson writes his own column?
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