Jump to content

Michigan Militia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Dividing (talk | contribs) at 18:36, 30 June 2009 (→Formation: linked weaver family to randy weaver). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The Michigan Militia was an organized paramilitary organization founded by Norman Olson, a former US Air Force Officer, of Alanson, Michigan, USA.[1] The organization formed around 1994 in response to perceived encroachments by the Federal Government on the rights of citizens during the early Clinton Administration. The MMC declined during the late 1990s and was essentially defunct as a statewide organization by 2000.

Formation

The two events that contributed to the formation and growth of the Michigan Militia were the Federal standoff at the Branch Davidian church in Waco, Texas and the Federal standoff with the Weaver family in Ruby Ridge, Idaho. Many believed these events, which involved agents of the FBI and BATF, were alarming shows of force by the Federal Government against citizens who had not committed any federal crimes, but were targeted for simply having views contrary to those in government at the time. In addition, several gun control laws passed during the early Clinton Administration increased fears amongst many that Second Amendment rights were being severely curtailed by the Federal Government.

Organization

The Michigan Militia was formally organized in the name Michigan Militia Corps, with the mascot of the wolverine, Michigan's state animal. The MMC was initially divided into four divisions, each having a regional name. The division names were:

  1. Superior Michigan Regional Militia (named for Lake Superior)
  2. Northern Michigan Regional Militia
  3. Central Michigan Regional Militia
  4. Southern Michigan Regional Militia

Each militia division consisted of several brigades, which were organized by county.

Each brigade had a commander, generally of the rank of lieutenant colonel, that was elected by the membership of that brigade. Each division was headed by a division commander with the rank of colonel, who was elected by the brigade commanders. The Michigan Militia Corps was headed by a commanding officer with the rank of brigadier general, who was elected at-large by all Michigan Militia Corps members on an annual basis.

At its peak the Michigan Militia Corps claimed membership of 10,000.[2] Major areas of focus for the Michigan Militia were paramilitary training and emergency response.

Significant Events

On June 15, 1995, Norman Olson, along with militia leaders from other states, testified before the United States Senate Subcommittee on Terrorism. Olson's opening statement included the following:

Not only does the Constitution specifically allow the formation of a Federal Army, it also recognizes the inherent right of the people to form militia. Further, it recognizes that the citizen and his personal armaments are the foundation of the militia. The arming of the militia is not left to the state but to the citizen. However, should the state choose to arm its citizen militia, it is free to do so (bearing in mind the Constitution is not a document limiting the citizen, but rather limiting the power of government). But should the state fail to arm its citizen militia, the right of the people to keep and bear arms becomes the source of the guarantee that the state will not be found defenseless in the presence of a threat to its security. It makes no sense whatsoever to look to the Constitution of the United States or that of any state for permission to form a citizen militia since logically, the power to permit is also the power to deny. If brought to its logical conclusion in this case, government may deny the citizen the right to form a militia. If this were to happen, the state would assert itself as the principle of the contract making the people the agents. Liberty then would depend on the state's grant of liberty. Such a concept is foreign to American thought.[1]

Olson's testimony may be viewed online: [2] [3]

Norman Olson retained the position of Commander of the MMC until after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, where he published a press release blaming the Japanese for the bombing, supposedly in retaliation for a clandestine US-sponsored gas attack in the Tokyo subway system. (See: Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway.) This press release was seen as an embarrassment by the MMC membership and Lynn Van Huizen of Nunica, Michigan was elected state commander in 1996.

Van Huizen was listed in the FBI's report entitled Project Megiddo as a more moderate militia leader, "A number of militia leaders, such as Lynn Van Huizen of the Michigan Militia Corps - Wolverines, have gone to some effort to actively rid their ranks of radical members who are inclined to carry out acts of violence and/or terrorism."[3]

Decline

In the years after the Oklahoma City bombing, the Michigan Militia Corps slowly declined and the leadership fell into infighting. The organization was essentially defunct on a statewide basis by 2000, but small splinter militia groups continued on.

See also

  • Timothy McVeigh was erroneously associated with the Militia by the mainstream media, but the Michigan Militia was later declared by the FBI to be clear of involvement with McVeigh and the Oklahoma City bombing.
  • Mark Koernke, "Mark from Michigan"
  • Black helicopters, a conspiracy element of Mark Koernke asserting that the UN was patrolling the US.

References

  1. ^ Potok, Mark (April 17, 1996), "Militant militia fringe is setting off alarms", USA Today
  2. ^ Potok, Mark (April 17, 1996), "Militant militia fringe is setting off alarms", USA Today
  3. ^ "Project Megiddo" (PDF). Federal Bureau of Investigation. 1999. Retrieved 2009-3. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michigan_Militia&oldid=299552504"