Militia movement

The militia movement is a right-wing extremist movement consisting primarily of armed paramilitary groups possessing an anti-government, conspiracy-oriented ideology. The movement was originally formed in 1993-1994 in reaction to federal gun control measures and to deadly standoffs between civilians and federal agents. Militia supporters traditionally believe that the federal government is collaborating with a shadowy conspiracy (often referred to as the "New World Order") to strip Americans of their rights in order to ultimately enslave them. The movement has a long history of criminal activity, including murders, violent plots, armed standoffs, terroristic threats and illegal possession of weapons or explosives. The militia movement experienced two major surges in growth, one in the mid-1990s and another during the period 2008-2011. It has also experienced growth in the 2020s, although this has been hindered to some degree due to deplatforming from several social media platforms.

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