Feds confirm 'activities' in southeastern Michigan
By Niraj Warikoo
Free Press Staff Writer
Federal agents conducted raids over the weekend in Lenawee and Wastenaw counties that reports say may be related to some members of Hutaree, a Christian-militia group in Michigan.
"We can confirm that there were law enforcement activities in the Lenawee/Washtenaw County area," said Detroit FBI Special Agent Sandra Berchtold. But she added that "the federal warrants are sealed and we can not comment at this time."
The website for Hutaree says that it is "preparing for the end time battles to keep the testimony of Jesus Christ alive." The group's logo is a cross with the initials CCR, Colonial Christian Republic. In one of its videos, a group of men in military gear take down a burning United Nations flag and replace it with their flag, which has a cross.
Other militia groups said they have nothing to do with the federal raids.
"Neither MICHIGANMILITIA.COM nor the SMVM (Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia) have been raided by the FBI. We do nothing illegal." reads a statement on michiganmilitia.com
On the Hutaree website, it warns of an anti-Christ. "As christians we all are a part of the Souls of the Body of Christ, the one true church of Christ. Not any specific man made building or any man controlled organization. This is the belief of the Hutaree soldier, as should the belief of all followers in Christ be. We believe that one day, as prophecy says, there will be an Anti-Christ. All christians must know this and prepare, just as Christ commanded."
The group's message boards contained messages expressing concern about the raids.
Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com
Those pesky Christians are at it again with that pesky constitution
Darn those people at church every Sunday.
LOL I'm being sarcastic.
heck we dont even know if they have done anything wrong.
now I dont know and I will not judge those people......
but it seems the Christians are being persecuted again.
Kristian militia terrorists?
Defend the Faith!!!
X-tians Rool!
muslim terrorists been blowin chit up, and you gonna side with them?
I'm glad I'm a Christian
Didn't follow the link I left huh?
So - what does that mean - to be a christian? Buying guns for Jesus to fight the anti christ?
You don unnerstan you on the side wiv the muslims blowing chit up?
lol. indeed. creepy stuff man.
i flicked on BBC and CNN it see Michigan state police tanks pulling up. it was weird.
ps, "tanks" for the info, working on it today.
Yup - creepy is about right. X-tian, Muslim all the same to me. External, personal gods with an axe to grind scare the hell out of me.
No sweat.
marky marky marky I dont care if you left or not. lol
No - the other "left".... Prolly dint now bout th other wun huh?
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2 … subway.php
They are probably Tea Partiers on their day off.
You do want some opposition don't you or do you feel all opposition should be silenced?
I don't want opposition of the kind that's apparently coming from this bunch of religious whackjobs!
you forgot to say, armed - and hunting the anti-christ.
Lenawee? I thought these groups were in the thumb, for the most part. hmm.
Well then you can relate to how Christians see the left.
It's the guns that worry me.
Here's a video from the Hutaree website--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apmn9xMx … r_embedded
Doctrine of the Hutaree on Camo--
http://www.hutaree.com/doctrine.htm
Why? Do you think the gun will load itself and shoot you?
No. Guns in the hands of religious whackos.
How do you feel about guns in the hands of just normal everyday whackos? Are they better than the religious ones?
I'm not in favor of any kind of whackos walking around with guns. Especially large magazine pistols and military rifles.
I have a whole house full of guns and so do the members of my church and I have never heard anyone even suggest they be used for anything other than hunting. That said, if picking a gun fight with Christians is on your agenda I would think twice, most all of us practice religiously. If I was on the left I would not antagonize my Christian brothers they are very serious people, just a thought.
So if I said: "Me and my left wing/atheist/socialist/anarchist buddies practice with our guns regularly and I wouldn't recommend that you bother us", you'd feel all good inside because of the great advice I just gave you?
Yes! Just like if you told me there was a 1% motorcycle gang in a bar and you said "you shouldn't go in there you could get killed" I would be very thankful and do as you advised. Any other questions?
Occasionally, I wonder about posting on controversial topics to Internet forums using my real name. My brother once wrote a letter to his local paper advocating gun control and got harassing phone calls all night long for a couple of days. Fortunately, nothing further happened to him and his family.
Ralph, there are nuts all over, but on the internet I would advise against using personal information. I however will not be bothering you like that, I'm sane and got the papers to prove it!
I kind of look at the internet like a town hall or public marketplace. A writer online is no different from an author or a politician.
I figure it's better for democracy not to be afraid to state your beliefs. It's still a free country, but rights must be exercised.
I totally agree, however, people like Mark David Chapman or John Hinkley jr don't much care about your rights!
Yeah but weirdos like that could decide to kill you because of your eye color or something.
But this I'm still wondering about: do gun toting anarchists = 1%ers = Christian Militia groups? Or are they all equally scary? I would equate gun toting anarchists with gun toting Christians - both are simply bands of citizens who are teaming up to protect themselves. If there's no reason to be scared of wing nut Christians in camo, there's no reason to be scared of guys who drink coffee, read Chomsky, and collect AK-74s.
Am I right?
I'm scared of anybody who collects AK-47s, left, right, Christian, or Muslim.
You never know when you might pick the wrong person to harass though.
And you don't think that statement is promoting hate?
I'm not going to try and defend an organization that uses god to promote violence, they're no different than AL Qaeda in that regard, but to lump them in with patriots fighting to preserve constitutional government is a stretch, even for you Ralph.
I can't blame you entirely, you're just following the left wing media's lead, do anything to crush the opposition to the democrat's socialist agenda.
Christ never commanded anyone to have weapons. In fact, Jesus told Peter to put down his sword.
So how do you get from there to killing for Christ?
It doesn't make sense. You're killing, but not for Jesus....your ego, maybe?
Most that own guns are hunters and are responsible gun owners. They practice gun safety and honing their skills. Unless you want them to prove they'll defend their families and property I would just let it go.
There are nuts down here too but I'm not going to give them a reason to be paranoid. Texas is different than most places and you can use deadly force to protect your family and property. The fact that Christians feel safer in groups that see things the way they do is only natural. Would you stand up in a church and declare all in attendance were wack-jobs? I don't think you would get anything but thrown out, so don't pull the tail on the tiger unless you really want to get bit.
Sneak, please go back and watch the video and tell me those guys look like hunters. Also listen to the sound track which sounds like something out of Appocalypse Now.
How do you get from "Blessed are the peacemakers" to threatening with guns?
Maybe I need a refesher course on the New Testament, but I don't see self-preservation in there anywhere! In fact, he says to give your life for your fellow man....not take it away from them.
Good one, Padrino!
I'm glad to know that not all militia groups are here in the South!
Anything that encourages good people to get together and learn to fight is a good thing, in my opinion.
I'm not a Christian, I'm an Atheist, and let me say right now militia groups aren't only for the religious.
Personally I trust most militia groups far more than I trust my government.
We have a different reading of the Bible, I guess.
Guns are antithetical to Jesus's teachings in my opinion.
Show me the scripture where Jesus advocates using weapons against your fellow man.
In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the moneychangers at their business. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of the temple; and he poured out the coins of the money-changers, and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, "Take these things away; you shall not make my Father's house a house of trade." {John 2:14-16 RSV}
Jesus used a whip against his fellow man. Who is to say he would not have used a gun if they were available.
Seven arrested in FBI raids linked to Christian militia group
Jennifer Chambers / The Detroit News
At least seven people, including some from Michigan, have been arrested in raids by a FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana as part of an investigation into an Adrian-based Christian militia group, a person familiar with the matter said.
The suspects are expected to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Detroit on Monday.
On Sunday, a source close to the investigation in Washington, D.C. confirmed that FBI agents were conducting activities in Washtenaw and Lenawee counties over the weekend in connection to Hutaree, a Christian militia group. Detroit FBI Special Agent Sandra Berchtold told The Detroit News the federal warrants in the case are under court seal and declined further comment.
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Sources have said the FBI was in the second day of raids around the southeastern Michigan city of Adrian that are connected to a militia group, known as the Hutaree, an Adrian-based group whose members describe themselves as Christian soldiers preparing for the arrival and battle with the anti-Christ.
WXYZ-TV reports that helicopters were spotted in the sky for much of Saturday night, and agents set up checkpoints throughout the area. Witnesses told the station that it was like a small army had descended on the area. The Department of Homeland Security and the Joint Terrorism Task Force are also involved in the raids.
Mike Lackomar, of Michiganmilitia.com, said both The Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia and the Michiganmilitia.com were not a part of the raid.
Lackomar said he heard from other militia members that the FBI targeted the Hutaree after its members made threats of violence against Islamic organizations.
"Last night and into today the FBI conducted a raid against homes belonging to the Hutaree. They are a religious cult. They are not part of our militia community," he said.
Lackomar said he was told there were five arrests Saturday and another five early Sunday. The FBI declined to comment.
One of the Hutaree members called a Michigan militia leader for assistance Saturday after federal agents had already began their raid, Lackomar said, but the militia member -- who is of Islamic decent and had heard about the threats -- declined to offer help. That Michigan militia leader is now working with federal officials to provide information on the Hutaree member for the investigation, Lackomar said Sunday.
"They are more of survivalist group and in an emergency they withdraw and stand their ground. They are actively training to be alongside Jesus," he said.
Sources from the Michigan militia community said one of the FBI raids took place Saturday during a wake for a Hutaree member who had died of natural causes. A Hutaree leader was arrested during the wake while at the same time agents were conducting raids at other locations.
The Associated Press is reporting that FBI spokesman Scott Wilson in Cleveland said agents arrested two people Saturday in northwest Ohio. A third arrest was made in Illinois on Sunday, a day after raids in northwest Indiana.
Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on Islamic-American Relations of Michigan, made an announcement Sunday during the group's 10th anniversary banquet about receiving a call from a network journalist about the alleged threat against Muslims.
"Don't allow this news to scare you away from practicing your faith," said Walid.
Audible gaps were heard throughout the banquet hall when the news was announced. Walid said he will call local authorities about more information on the allegations. He urged local Muslims to recommitt themselves to their faith in light of the accusations.
David Shepardson and Oralandar Brand-Williams contributed to this report. jchambers@detnews.com
From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100328 … z0jWzUcMUQ
If thats their agenda they need to be in jail, period!
Christians and conservatives aren't the only ones who own guns. According to Joe Biden, he has a few. And I know Randy Godwin - who is neither a Christian or a conservative - owns several. I think one is a semi-automatic Russian rifle.
Very true. I have a couple myself--both hunting guns.
MORE ON THE HUTAREE
Members of the Hutaree -- including a Michigan couple and their two sons -- conspired to oppose by force the authority of the U.S. government, according to a release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Detroit.
The indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court today claims that the Hutaree planned to kill an unidentified member of local law enforcement and then attack the law enforcement officers who gather in Michigan for the funeral. According to the plan, the Hutaree would attack law enforcement vehicles during the funeral procession with improvised explosive devices rigged with projectiles, which constitute weapons of mass destruction, according to the announcement by U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.
“Because the Hutaree had planned a covert reconnaissance operation for April which had the potential of placing an unsuspecting member of the public at risk, the safety of the public and of the law enforcement community demanded intervention at this time," McQuade said in the announcement. “Hutaree members view local, state, and federal law enforcement as the ‘brotherhood,’ their enemy, and have been preparing to engage them in armed conflict.”
Alleged Hutaree members indicted are David Brian Stone, 45; his wife, Tina Stone, 44; his son, Joshua Matthew Stone, 21, of Clayton, Mich.; and his other son, David Brian Stone, Jr., 19, of Adrian; Joshua Clough, 28, of Blissfield; Michael Meeks, 40 of Manchester; Thomas Piatek, 46, of Whiting, Ind.; Kristopher Sickles, 27, of Sandusky, Ohio, and Jacob Ward, 33, of Huron, Ohio.
Joshua Stone is the only alleged Hutaree not in custody. Anyone with information about Stone should contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 313- 965-2323.
http://www.freep.com/article/20100329/N … ing-attack
The group’s Web site says that it is “preparing for the end time battles to keep the testimony of Jesus Christ alive.” The group’s logo is a cross with the initials CCR, which stand for Colonial Christian Republic. In one of its videos, a group of men in military gear take down a burning United Nations flag and replace it with their flag, which displays a cross.
Hutaree Website Contains Violent Anti-Police Rhetoric
Federal and state authorities say members of the Hutaree Christian Militia saw police officers as enemy soldiers and part of the “New World Order.”
Federal and state law enforcement officials arrested nine members of the Hutaree over the weekend. They have been charged with multiple counts including sedition.
In string called “Cops…Some People Just Don’t Get it,” poster Azuurlin wrote in a series of responses to an unknown post by recorderguy in March 2009:
More:
http://michiganmessenger.com/36221/huta … e-rhetoric
Don't antagonize your Christian brothers Sneak?
1) Christians are both on the "left" and "right"....
2) Jesus taught to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.....so there should be no concern about antagonism, right?
Gun owning is not a problem...making gun ownership a crime will only keep decent people from possessing them....so I definitely support the right to bear arms...
But, such a right enables racist and religious extremests to form little groups and train for the war that they wish to create, either the race war or religious apocalypse....while the rest of us prepare to defend against both...
I only wish the government could do a better job against threats like the Aryan Brotherhood......
Here is the CNN article:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/29/hut … tml?hpt=T1
More from the Detroit Free Press this morning;
http://www.freep.com/article/20100330/N … -kill-cops
RELATED INFORMATION
Militia groups on the rise
There has been an increase in the number of anti-government extremist groups that espouse hate against the federal government.
2008: 149
2009: 512
Among those, paramilitary groups
also have grown:
2008: 42
2009: 127
Source: Southern Poverty Law Center
The actions of the Christian militia group raided in Michigan are part of a growing trend of militant activity across the U.S. because of the weak economy and an African-American president, experts and a civil rights group said today.
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Hutaree, a militia based in Lenawee County, allegedly planned an uprising against the U.S. government by plotting to murder police.
"I don't think this is the last we're going to see of these groups," said Michael Barkun, a professor of political science at Syracuse University who studies religious violence and extremism. "The number of such groups has increased fairly dramatically in the last couple of years."
The number of extremist anti-government groups and militias grew from 149 in 2008 to 512 in 2009, said Heidi Beirich, director of research at the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil groups that monitors extremism.
"That is a lot of change in a short period of time," Beirich said.
This religious insanity seems to becoming pervasive:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2 … subway.php
Scary
Here's what Ron Paul had to say, quoting Sinclair Lewis--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrkltetQ0x4
For Hutaree, Web rumor stoked anger at Obama
By Niraj Warikoo
Free Press Staff Writer
http://www.freep.com/article/20100331/N … tories_4pm
A member of the Hutaree militia charged with federal crimes was upset because she thought that President Barack Obama had signed into law this month a bill that would spend $20 billion to help the terrorist group Hamas settle in the U.S.
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There was never any such legislation, but Tina Stone believed it was the truth, according to her Facebook account.
"H.B. 1388 Passed.... It's bad news for us all," Tina Kelley, her maiden name, said on her Facebook page on March 19.
She then said in an update:
"I'm peeved,,, when people in this country is getting kicked out of there homes everyday and our government passes a bill to spend more then 20 billion dollars to bring Hamas here and supplies them with food and homes that just wrong."
Stone, part of a Christian militia busted by federal agents this week, apparently got the false idea from fake e-mails and Internet chatter that claimed Obama and Congress had passed H.B. 1388 to help Hamas.
According to the site factcheck.org — which tries to debunk lies on the Internet — the false rumors were generated in part from one e-mail that stated:
"Something happened... H.R. 1388 was passed yesterday, behind our backs. You may want to read about it. It wasn't mentioned on the news...Obama funds $20M in tax payer dollars to immigrate Hamas Refugees to the USA. This is the news that didn't make the headlines."
Tina Stone was charged with being part of a plot to murder multiple police officers that would create a revolt against the U.S. government. Hutaree is a Christian militia that she was a part of.
Contact NIRAJ WARIKOO: nwarikoo@freepress.com.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Putting up lies on the Internet websites or circulating them by email to your friends is a harmful activity.
Wow.
Being stupid is dangerous too apparently.
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