New York, NY, April 17, 1997...Two years after the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, militias and other right wing anti-government extremists spotlighted by the blast have become more violent and continue to pose a threat to the lives of Americans, according to a new report released by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Vigilante Justice: Militias and "Common Law Courts" Wage War Against the Government describes how these groups, in the name of "patriotism," have moved from rhetoric to action in their drive to defy and dismantle America's democratic institutions and replace them with their own skewed vision of the American ideal.

"Armed militias continue to pose a significant threat of violence and disorder," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "Many have adopted new tactics. They no longer publicly promote themselves; they dodge the watchful eyes of law enforcement and shun the media. They have joined the 'common law court' movement, the 'legal' arm of the anti-government netherworld. These 'paper terrorists' generate reams of bogus documents to intimidate and threaten their perceived enemies in government, law enforcement and the community at large"

"Common law court" adherents "live in an Alice in Wonderland world, " said Mr. Foxman, "seeing the American legal system through the looking glass of anti-government hostility. They and their militia counterparts are united in their obsession with bizarre conspiracy theories, which are often racist and anti-Semitic."

Mr. Foxman noted that "the Internet has become a vital communications link" for anti-government extremists." Not only can they easily and instantaneously communicate among themselves, "they use the Internet as a recruitment tool, attempting to pass themselves off as patriots when in reality they reject democracy and would replace it with mob rule."

According to the ADL survey, militias currently operate in 30 states, down from a reported 40 following the Oklahoma City bombing. However, ADL cautions that this decline in states with militia activity should not leave the impression that the militia menace has receded. The report details a dramatic increase in militia-related crime: how in the last 18 months dozens of militiamen were arrested and convicted for acting upon their conspiratorial beliefs

Vigilante Justice describes a host of right-wing anti-government extremist groups and reports an ever-increasing cross fertilization between the groups that has begun to blur their tactical difference and emphasize their common ideology--opposition to the rule of law.

"Common Law Courts" and Oklahoma City Bombing Defendant Terry Nichols

The "common law court" movement, which is especially appealing to militia members, has grown considerably, with activities in 35 states.

One prime example of this "crossover" trend is Oklahoma City bombing defendant, Terry Nichols. Nicholas is known to have attended several militia meetings and also adheres to "common law court" teachings and has used their tactic of passing bogus checks. In 1993, Nichols was sued by Chase Manhattan Bank for attempting to pay credit cards bills with phony "fractional reserve checks" issued by the Wisconsin-based Posse Comitatus spin-off, Family Farm Preservation.

In court, Nichols refused to recognize the judge's jurisdiction over him, and offered pseudo-legal arguments and descriptions regularly used by "common law court" activists. "I'd like to say I'm here in proper person, specially appearing sui juris, not pro se. I'm a layman, natural person. I'm a common law citizen under threat, duress and challenge the jurisdiction of this court [sic]," Nicholas said.

The Violent Fringe

On the outermost fringe of the anti-government extremist movement are independents who operate beyond the purview of organized militia groups. These extremists operate covertly in tiny, loosely-organized cells to achieve their ultimate goal -- the overthrow of the United States Government. Accused of committing scores of violent crimes, including bombings and robberies, most are fervent believers in the tenets of the anti-Semitic, racist pseudo-religion, "Christian Identity" and carry the calling card of the Phineas Priesthood.

The Phineas Priesthood is a violent credo of vergence advocated by "Identity" leaders Richard Kelly Hoskins in his book, Vigilantes of Christendom: The Story of the Phineas Priesthood. Hoskins lengthy manifesto perverts passages of the Bible, including the story of the zealot Phineas, to justify racists and anti-Semitic acts of violence.

Conspiracy Theories

Anti-government extremists have bought into a host of conspiracy theories, including age- old racist and anti-Semitic ones. In their paranoia they see an evil Federal Government working in tandem with the United Nations to strip Americans of their constitutional rights. Some examples of these conspiracy fantasies are:

*The Federal Government was illegally set up by European bankers and other conspirators in 1881. ( Montana Freeman, Russell Dean Landers)

*The U.S. Army inserts "bio-chips" into servicemen to monitor their activities (Oklahoma City bombing defendant, Timothy McVeigh).

*The U.S. Government controls the weather (former Militia of Montana Member, Robert Fletcher).

*The ultimate goal of the Federal Government is to establish a "New World Order" through the United Nations and subjugate Americans to the control of foreign troops (Militia of Montana co-founder, John Trochmann).

* Jews and Jewish institutions are co-conspirators in the "New World Order."

The 68-page Vigilante Justice documents in great detail right-wing anti-government extremist groups and individuals and includes a state-by-state survey of extremist activities.

EDITORS/PRODUCERS NOTE: Vigilante Justice is available on-line on NEXIS, search code USNWR, and from the ADL Media Relations Department. To arrange interviews with ADL experts contact the ADL Media Relations Department at (212) 885-7749 (evenings/weekend (212) 885-7911.)

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.