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The Quiet Retooling of the Militia Movement
Renewed Activity
Posted: September 7, 2004
The more recent resurgence of activity has attracted little attention, in part because militia activists generally keep a much lower profile then they did in the 1990s, when militia-related Web sites and public meetings were more common. Militia activists still use the Internet, but tend to prefer the lower-profile arenas of online discussion forums and mailing lists over Web sites.
Using these technologies, militia activists have increasingly begun to connect with each other and seek recruits. In June 2004, for example, the East Central Mississippi Militia, based near Meridian, Mississippi, posted a message asking for "like minded folks to be part of a mutual aid group, and possibly join our unit." The group would meet for training, shooting, and "to build the group's trust/cohesiveness."
This lack of trust - because of fear of federal informants as well as fear of nongovernmental "watchdog" groups - governs many modern-day militia interactions.
After the Champaign County Unorganized Militia in Ohio was publicly identified in early 2004 as an active "patriot" group, one member of the group who frequented a Maine militia discussion board posted that "I would understand if you rather me not come to the board. Just ask. I don't know if I'm being watched or not. It's up to you guys. I think I'll go make sure I have the Mavrick [sic; a gun] ready."
When a Desoto County, Mississippi, militia member responded to a request for information about nearby militias, he welcomed people to "come our way," but only "after a little check out." Another militia activist warned, "some of us 'old' folks are very cautious about meeting 'new' folks."
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