Right-Wing (often Reactionary) Terrorist Groups

At least 26 definitions of right wing extremism; common features include nationalism, racism, xenophobia, anti-democracy

Can be both revolutionary and reactionary; often focused on preserving status quo

Commonly associated with racial supremacists, “othering” and “us” versus “them”

1791 Whiskey Rebellion

Klu Klux Klan (KKK)

Wesley Swift - Anglo-Israelism (Americans are the lost tribes of Israel

William Potter Gale - Posse Comitatus

Richard Butler - Aryan Nations

Often thrive on conspiracy theories

Protocols of Zion: Jews are out to control the world

Often emphasize patriotism and anti-gun controls

Christian Identity: Jews have gained control of the United States, and white Christians must rise up to resist this

RAHOWA - racial holy war

William Pierce (“Andrew Macdonald”), leader of the National Alliance (Christian Identity group); owned Resistance Records, Skinhead hate music

The Turner Diaries: Race war begins in U.S. after the government takes away firearms; very anti-Semitic; lots of “how to” guidance for conducting terror attacks (including truck bombs)

Hunter: story of a lone wolf who decides to launch a one-person revolution

Leaderless Resistance (Colonel Ulius Amoss, Louis Beam)

April 19, 1985 – CSA seige, Elijiah, MO

Early 1990s – Congress debates Brady Bill (finally passed and signed into law November 1993)

August 1992 – Weaver siege, Ruby Ridge, ID

April 19, 1994 – Branch Davidians siege, Waco, TX

April 19, 1995 - Oklahoma City (Timothy McVeigh)

Increase in Right-wing extremist activity

Internet used to spread conspiracy theories and racial supremacist ideologies

Immigration has become hot topic, especially when combined with economic grievances

Founded by Richard G. Butler Aligned with Church of Jesus Christ-Christian bought 20-acre compound, Hayden Lake, near Coeur

d'Alene, ID

Dedicated to “the establishment of a white Aryan homeland on the North American continent”

Combines elements of Christian Identity and Neo-Nazi racial supremacy

Brought together several right-wing extremist movements

Founded in early 1980s by Robert Matthews

Preparing to fight a future war against a corrupt, Jewish-influenced government

Armored car heist, bank robberies

Killed Jewish radio talk show host in Denver

Founded during 1980s in Texas; claims to have chapters in Australia, Germany, Hungary, Italy and New Zealand

Members involved in assaults, arson, attacks with knives and isolated shooting incidents

Hammerskin Press: literature, hate music record label; rock concerts, etc.

Advocates violence against all non-whites

Calls for the overthrow of the U.S. government and the establishment of an autonomous homeland for whites of European descent

Responsible for attacks against blacks, gays, and Jews

Originally founded in the Pacific Northwest, its leaders move the headquarters to Arkansas

Any believer in the cause can be a member

Richard Kelly Hoskins - book (1990) Vigilantes of Christiandom: The Story of the Phineas Priesthood

A leaderless movement of vigilante Christian faithful, vehemently opposed to racial mixing, fraternization with Jews, and abortion

Act in accordance with the ideology; will eventually reassert the dominance of righteous white Christians on Earth

Adherents include Eric Rudolph, Paul Hill, James Kopp, Clayton Lee Waagner, Paul Evans

For more, see: Global Terrorism Database Profiles

http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/ National Counterterrorism Center Profiles

http://www.nctc.gov/site/profiles/index.html

Racial supremacy, Jewish conspiracy, Christian Identity

Many view themselves as a “revolutionary vanguard” but can also promote “ leaderless resistance”

Most right-wing groups have failed to achieve their objectives, but unlike left-wing groups many are still active today