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'''Guardians of the Free Republics''' was a [[Texas]], United States-based group regarded as being part of the [[sovereign citizen movement]]. The group was associated with Sam Kennedy, a Texas [[talk-show]] host,<ref name="CSM01">{{Cite web| last =Jonsson| first =Patrik| title =Guardians of the free Republics tied to Texas radio station| publisher =''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]''| date =2010-04-02| url =http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0402/Guardians-of-the-free-Republics-tied-to-Texas-radio-station| accessdate =2010-04-02 }}</ref> and with Clive Boustred, a British-born conspiracy theorist living in California.<ref>{{Cite web| last =Stanglin| first =Doug| title =Anti-Government group tells governors to resign or be removed| publisher =''[[USA Today]]''| date =2010-04-02| url =http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/04/anti-government-group-tells-governors-to-resign-or-be-removed/1| accessdate =2010-04-02 }}</ref> The group was described as having an [[anti-government]] ideology. The Guardians of the Free Republics called for a "Restore America Plan" that included a "bold achievable strategy for behind-the-scenes peaceful reconstruction of the de jure institutions of government without controversy, violence or [[civil war]]." |
'''Guardians of the Free Republics''' was a [[Texas]], United States-based group regarded as being part of the [[sovereign citizen movement]]. The group was associated with Sam Kennedy, a Texas [[talk-show]] host,<ref name="CSM01">{{Cite web| last =Jonsson| first =Patrik| title =Guardians of the free Republics tied to Texas radio station| publisher =''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]''| date =2010-04-02| url =http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0402/Guardians-of-the-free-Republics-tied-to-Texas-radio-station| accessdate =2010-04-02 }}</ref> and with Clive Boustred, a British-born conspiracy theorist living in California.<ref>{{Cite web| last =Stanglin| first =Doug| title =Anti-Government group tells governors to resign or be removed| publisher =''[[USA Today]]''| date =2010-04-02| url =http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/04/anti-government-group-tells-governors-to-resign-or-be-removed/1| accessdate =2010-04-02 }}</ref> The group was described as having an [[anti-government]] ideology. The Guardians of the Free Republics called for a "Restore America Plan" that included a "bold achievable strategy for behind-the-scenes peaceful reconstruction of the de jure institutions of government without controversy, violence or [[civil war]]." |
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==Ideology== |
==Ideology== |
Revision as of 19:21, 17 January 2012
Guardians of the Free Republics was a Texas, United States-based group regarded as being part of the sovereign citizen movement. The group was associated with Sam Kennedy, a Texas talk-show host,[1] and with Clive Boustred, a British-born conspiracy theorist living in California.[2] The group was described as having an anti-government ideology. The Guardians of the Free Republics called for a "Restore America Plan" that included a "bold achievable strategy for behind-the-scenes peaceful reconstruction of the de jure institutions of government without controversy, violence or civil war."
Stop SOPA!
Ideology
The group was described as an anti-government group and as associated with the sovereign citizen movement.[3][4] Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent J.J. Klaver said, "These are individuals who reject all forms of government and they believe they are emancipated from all the responsibilities associated with being U.S. citizens, such as paying taxes and obeying laws."[5] Hal Epperson, coordinator of the group's unit in Phoenix, Arizona, stated that the group was "a nonviolent group that has a lawful remedy for the corporate government."[6]
The group stated that they were influenced by Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi.[7] On their website, the Guardians of the Free Republics called for a "Restore America Plan" that included a "bold achievable strategy for behind-the-scenes peaceful reconstruction of the de jure institutions of government without controversy, violence or civil war."[4] The group advocated the end of "tax prosecutions for resisting the transfer of private wealth to foreign banking cartels" and issuing "orders to the military and police powers to enforce the Peoples’ divine rights of birth."[5] The Guardian of the Free Republics stated that they wanted to accomplish their goals "Behind the scenes, lawfully, peacefully, without violence and without risking civil war." A section of their website titled "Rationale" laid out the ideas behind the group’s goal to "restore Biblical law to a devoutly secular population." The group believed its plan could act as a "vehicle for relieving corporate tyranny. In due time, the higher goal of salvaging the souls of mankind can be addressed."[8]
Governor letters
During the week of March 31, 2010, all 50 U.S. state governors received letters from the group, warning them to leave office within three days or be removed.[7] Governor Mike Beebe of Arkansas said, "It basically said, resign, ask for forgiveness and then we'll reinstate you, and if you sign this we'll consider you re-elected."
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security stated that they did not believe the group was violent. Some investigators believed, however, that the letters could cause others to commit violent acts.[5] John Stadtmiller, who runs Republic Broadcasting Network in Round Rock, Texas, which broadcasts Sam Kennedy's weekly show, said that Kennedy was behind the idea of sending out the letters. The FBI interviewed Kennedy for two hours on April 2, 2010, but did not arrest him. The interview concentrated on two shows Kennedy did about the "Restore America" project, in which Kennedy set a March 31, 2010 deadline as the day to "begin to reclaim the continent."[1]
Aftermath
In March 2011, an "elder" of the Guardians of the Free Republics organization named Samuel Lynn Davis pleaded guilty to 31 counts of money laundering in Federal district court in Nevada. Davis was snared in a sting operation after he agreed to launder more than $1.29 million in what he believed to be illicit funds. Davis accepted $73,782 fees to launder the money, not realizing he was dealing with Federal law enforcement agents.[9] In October 2011, Davis was sentenced to four years and nine months in Federal prison, and was ordered to pay over $95,000 in restitution.[10]
As of March 2011, the web site for Guardians of the Free Republics had been taken down.
References
- ^ a b Jonsson, Patrik (2010-04-02). "Guardians of the free Republics tied to Texas radio station". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2010-04-02.
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(help) - ^ Stanglin, Doug (2010-04-02). "Anti-Government group tells governors to resign or be removed". USA Today. Retrieved 2010-04-02.
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(help) - ^ Associated Press (2010-04-02). "Bredesen among more than 30 governors to receive threatening letter from anti-government group". WHNT-TV. Retrieved 2010-04-02. [dead link]
- ^ a b Jonsson, Patrik (2010-04-02). "Guardians of the free Republics: Could threats spark violence?". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2010-04-02.
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(help) - ^ a b c Greenblatt, Alan (2010-04-02). "FBI Investigating Threat Letter To Governors". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2010-04-02.
- ^ Petroski, William (2010-04-03). "Extremist group that sent letter to Culver is recruiting in Iowa". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2010-04-05.
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(help) [dead link] - ^ a b Tapcopino, Joe (2010-04-03). "Guardians of the free Republics, which mailed ominous letters to governors, compare selves to Gandhi". Daily News. Retrieved 2010-04-04.
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(help) - ^ Hancock, Jason (2010-04-02). "Group behind letters to governor revealed, FBI warns of possible violence". Iowa Independent. Retrieved 2010-04-02.
- ^ John L. Smith," Conviction chips away at Sovereign Citizen guru's facade," March 27, 2011, Las Vegas Review-Journal, at [1].
- ^ Jeff German, "Judge sentences anti-government leader to prison," Oct. 27, 2011, Las Vegas Review-Journal, at [2].