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FBI warns extremist letters may encourage violence
Santa Cruz Sentinel ^ | 04/02/2010 | Eileen Sullivan and Devlin Barrett

Posted on 04/02/2010 6:54:58 AM PDT by artichokegrower

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal intelligence note is warning police that an anti-government group's call to remove dozens of sitting governors may encourage others to act out violently.

A group that calls itself the Guardians of the free Republics wants to "restore America" by peacefully dismantling parts of the government, according to its Web site.

As of Wednesday, more than 30 governors had received letters demanding they leave office within three days or they will be removed, according to an internal intelligence note by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, which was obtained by The Associated Press.

Investigators do not see threats of violence in the group's message, but fear the broad call for removing top state officials could inspire others to act out violently.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal were among those receiving the letter.

Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said federal authorities had alerted the governor that such a letter might be coming, and it arrived Monday or Tuesday. Boyd, who described the letter as "non-threatening," said it was opened by a staffer and immediately turned over to the Michigan State Police.

Jindal's office confirmed the governor had received a letter from the Guardians of the free Republics and directed all further questions to the Louisiana State Police.

"They called us as they do for any letter that's out of the norm," said.

Lt. Doug Cain, a state police spokesman.

He declined to provide specifics about the letter, but said, "not knowing the group and the information contained in the letter warranted state police to review it." Cain said the letter has gone to numerous governors across the country.

The FBI warning comes at a time of heightened attention to far-right extremist groups after the arrest of nine Christian militia members last weekend accused of plotting violence.

In explaining the letters sent to the governors, the intelligence note says officials have no specific knowledge of plans to use violence, but they caution police to be aware in case other individuals interpret the letters "as a justification for violence or other criminal actions."

The FBI associated the letter with "sovereign citizens," most of whom believe they are free from all duties of a U.S. citizen, like paying taxes or needing a government license to drive. A small number of these people are armed and resort to violence, according to the intelligence report.

Last weekend, the FBI conducted raids on suspected members of a Christian militia in the Midwest that was allegedly planning to kill police officers. In the past year, federal agents have seen an increase in "chatter" from an array of domestic extremist groups, which can include radical self-styled militias, white separatists or extreme civil libertarians and sovereign citizens.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: bhodoj; fbi; gfr; gfs; ismellbs; militia; reichstaggers
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Watching civil libertarians and sovereign citizens. How about Muslim radicals that might shoot up a recruiting station or army post?
1 posted on 04/02/2010 6:54:58 AM PDT by artichokegrower
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To: artichokegrower

from the group’s website...

The Restore America Plan

The Restore America Plan is a bold achievable strategy for behind-the-scenes peaceful reconstruction of the de jure institutions of government without controversy, violence or civil war.


2 posted on 04/02/2010 6:57:48 AM PDT by keep your powder dry
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To: artichokegrower
A federal intelligence note is warning police that an anti-government group's call to remove dozens of sitting governors may encourage others to act out violently.

Now it appears that peaceably petitioning the government for redress is a crime.

3 posted on 04/02/2010 6:59:26 AM PDT by Lazamataz ("We beat the Soviet Union. Then we became them." -- Lazamataz, 2005)
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To: keep your powder dry
The Restore America Plan is a bold achievable strategy for behind-the-scenes peaceful reconstruction of the de jure institutions of government without controversy, violence or civil war.

Gasp! They sound dangerous! Isn't this what we try to accomplish every election cycle?
4 posted on 04/02/2010 6:59:35 AM PDT by TSgt (When the government fears the people, there is liberty. - Thomas Jefferson)
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To: artichokegrower

The internet is a dangerous place.....


5 posted on 04/02/2010 7:03:12 AM PDT by Dallas59 (President Robert Gibbs 2009-2013)
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To: Jim Robinson; kristinn
Jindal's office confirmed the governor had received a letter from the Guardians of the free Republics and directed all further questions to the Louisiana State Police.

Head's up, gentlemen! I can see some weasely liberal reporter trying to make some sort of ridiculous connection here.

6 posted on 04/02/2010 7:03:44 AM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin has crossed the Rubicon!)
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To: keep your powder dry

They have my support


7 posted on 04/02/2010 7:03:51 AM PDT by GregNH (Re-Elect "No Body")
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To: Lazamataz
Now it appears that peaceably petitioning the government for redress is a crime.

Normal for a fascist state.

8 posted on 04/02/2010 7:04:06 AM PDT by TYVets
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To: artichokegrower

“”restore America” by peacefully dismantling parts of the government, according to its Web site.”

Yep, pretty scary stuff.


9 posted on 04/02/2010 7:04:51 AM PDT by ElayneJ
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To: artichokegrower
If you have a radical black or muslim group trying to incite violence, sedition or overthrow of The Constitution, then it is OK and you can continue.

If you have a group that peacefully opposes the marxist policies of 0bamao or the growth of Big Brother Government, then you are a threat and will be investigated by Big Sis Janet Incompetano.

10 posted on 04/02/2010 7:04:51 AM PDT by The Sons of Liberty (der Fuhrer 0bamao's goal: "To Control the People ..." - FUBO! Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin)
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To: artichokegrower

No, no, no. Christian Militia. Christian Christian Christian Militia. Every time. Christian = Violence. Christian = Taliban.

Cowards fight the enemy that is the lowest threat.


11 posted on 04/02/2010 7:07:10 AM PDT by ecomcon
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To: artichokegrower

federal agents have seen an increase in “chatter” from an array of domestic extremist groups, which can include radical self-styled militias, white separatists or extreme civil libertarians and sovereign citizens.

The good the bad and the ugly all rolled into ONE! How quaint, how convenient, how dastardly.


12 posted on 04/02/2010 7:10:35 AM PDT by wita
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To: artichokegrower

I just flashed back to the 60’s and it seems that there were 6 killed by the National Guard at Kent state.


13 posted on 04/02/2010 7:11:08 AM PDT by mountainlion (concerned conservative.)
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To: artichokegrower

“FBI warns that speaking out peacefully might result in violence”.

Not clear from whom and to whom, is it? But it’s a warning nonetheless.


14 posted on 04/02/2010 7:11:24 AM PDT by DBrow
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To: artichokegrower

“Cut” government spending. That sounds pretty violent!!!!!!!!!! If I were a fat, lazy FBI bureaucrat, I’d be horrified too.


15 posted on 04/02/2010 7:16:42 AM PDT by Opinionated Blowhard
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To: artichokegrower

most of whom believe they are free from all duties of a U.S. citizen, like paying taxes or needing a government license to drive.

Sounds to me like they are warning everybody about CONGRESS


16 posted on 04/02/2010 7:19:58 AM PDT by eyeamok
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To: Virginia Ridgerunner

Thanks. No calls yet :-)


17 posted on 04/02/2010 7:20:12 AM PDT by kristinn (A conspiracy of silence speaks louder than words.)
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To: artichokegrower
Damn radicals! I found more of them here!

:

18 posted on 04/02/2010 7:34:40 AM PDT by isthisnickcool (NOVEMBER-2-2010!)
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To: artichokegrower

So we know these letters were NOT sent by Islamic terrorists, for had they been, the story would NOT have been reported!!

“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined...The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.”
-Patrick Henry.


19 posted on 04/02/2010 7:35:44 AM PDT by Oldpuppymax
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To: mountainlion
I just flashed back to the 60's and it seems that there were 6 killed by the National Guard at Kent state.

Actually, it was 4 killed, with several more wounded.

20 posted on 04/02/2010 7:38:58 AM PDT by Kenton
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