Bogus Liens

Bogus liens are one of the oldest and most common sovereign citizen "paper terrorism" tactics. They are designed to harass and retaliate against their perceived enemies. Whereas most legitimate liens are placed against property for nonpayment of a debt, a bogus lien is placed against a person's property simply because they have irritated the sovereign citizen who filed the lien. Even if the lien is bogus, it often takes time, effort and expense to get it removed, which is what makes it an effective tactic. A number of states (and the federal government) have passed laws to make removing such liens easier and/or filing them illegal, but the tactic continues.

This database provides an overview of many of the terms and individuals used by or associated with movements and groups that subscribe to and/or promote extremist or hateful ideologies.

Skousenism

Skousenism is a term used to describe the political philosophy of ultraconservative political theorist W. Cleon Skousen (1913-2006). Skousen advocated a philosophy centered on advocacy for extremely limited federal government, anti-Communism, conspiracy theories and Mormon theology. Skousenites... Read more

Key Concepts / Definitions Anti-government

Moorish Movement

An Afro-centric offshoot of the sovereign citizen movement that emerged in the mid-1990s primarily as a result of people merging sovereign beliefs with beliefs from a longstanding religious sect, the Moorish Science Temple. Moorish sovereign citizens often... Read more

Groups / Movements Anti-government

Romana Didulo

Romana Didulo is a Canadian QAnon figure who falsely claims to be the "Queen of Canada." She has frequently called for violent action online, especially against individuals involved in administrating Covid-19 vaccines to children. Didulo has frequently... Read more

People Right-wing

David Straight

David Straight is a prominent sovereign citizen guru and QAnon adherent who teaches sovereignty with a QAnon bent, urging his followers to become "American State Nationals" before Trump is reinstated as president. He works closely with Bobby... Read more