Lion Guard: Difference between revisions
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The '''Lion Guard''' (also known as the "Lions of Trump" or the "Lion's Guard Militia") was a [[paramilitary]] [[Far-right politics|far-right]] wing political group that was formed in 2016 in order to provide self-imposed security (outside of [[Security guard|private security]] and [[police|professional law enforcement]]) at the rallies of [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] [[Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2016|presidential nominee]] [[Donald Trump]].<ref>Edwards, David, "Trump militia forms to 'forcefully protect' rally goers against 'far-left agitators'", Salon On-Line, 18 March 2016</ref> At its height, the group had a reported membership of just over five hundred, although it boasted several hundred more followers on [[Facebook]] and [[Twitter]].<ref>McDermott, J. "Trump’s Brownshirts? Militia vows to 'protect' Donald Trump", Arizona Republic, 13 June 2016</ref> |
The '''Lion Guard''' (also known as the "Lions of Trump" or the "Lion's Guard Militia") was a [[paramilitary]] [[Far-right politics|far-right]] wing political group that was formed in 2016 in order to provide self-imposed security (outside of [[Security guard|private security]] and [[police|professional law enforcement]]) at the rallies of [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] [[Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2016|presidential nominee]] [[Donald Trump]].<ref>Haralsson, Hrafnkell, "‘Lion’s Guard’ Group Forms to Bust Heads for Trump". Politicus USA, 15 Mar 2016</ref><ref>Edwards, David, "Trump militia forms to 'forcefully protect' rally goers against 'far-left agitators'", Salon On-Line, 18 March 2016</ref> At its height, the group had a reported membership of just over five hundred, although it boasted several hundred more followers on [[Facebook]] and [[Twitter]].<ref>McDermott, J. "Trump’s Brownshirts? Militia vows to 'protect' Donald Trump", Arizona Republic, 13 June 2016</ref> |
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==Origins and organization== |
==Origins and organization== |
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Revision as of 13:57, 28 September 2017
Lion Guard Lions of Trump | |
|---|---|
| File:LionGuardEmblem.jpg | |
| Leader | Decentralized |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Dissolved | 2017 |
| Ideology | Conservative |
| Political position | Right Wing |
| Website | |
| http://lionsoftrump.net/ | |
The Lion Guard (also known as the "Lions of Trump" or the "Lion's Guard Militia") was a paramilitary far-right wing political group that was formed in 2016 in order to provide self-imposed security (outside of private security and professional law enforcement) at the rallies of Republican Party presidential nominee Donald Trump.[1][2] At its height, the group had a reported membership of just over five hundred, although it boasted several hundred more followers on Facebook and Twitter.[3]
Origins and organization
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2017) |
On March 15, 2016, the group was formed after launching an official website with a stated mission to “Provide safety and security to Trump supporters while willing to forcefully protect Donald Trump from people who threaten him." Its name came from a tweet in which Trump quoted Benito Mussolini.[4]
The group had no clearly defined central leadership, and its website was operated through Domains by Proxy which allows the webmaster to remain anonymous. With no national leadership, the organization was instead based upon semi-autonomous local chapters. The Lion Guard website offered to "put in touch" Trump supporters in order to form Lion Guard chapters and also offered vague guidance as to manner of activities and updated members as to Trump rallies and other events. The group also published blog posts which were mainly anti-left wing and anti-Marxist.
Major activities
North Carolina uniform drive
In March 2016, authorities in Cumberland County, North Carolina issued a press release that a new group, known as the "Lion Guard", had been observed forming possible chapters within county borders. The main cause for the attention of the authorities was an on-line campaign designed to solicit ideas for paramilitary uniform designs and raise funds for the purchase of uniforms for Lion Guard members.[5] The online advertisement stated the Lion Guard's purpose was protecting Trump supporters in the region as well as Donald Trump should he visit the area. The advertisement further stated "we are unarmed, but willing to to forcefully protect people if need be". The Cumberland County Sheriff's Department issued a warning that the Lion Guard appeared to be a "far right extremist organization" and should be monitored closely.[6]
Arizona rally
The first major activity of the Lion Guard was to organize what the group referred to as a "security patrol" at a Phoenix, Arizona rally for Donald Trump on March 19, 2016. The group claimed that the rally was in danger of being "sabotaged" and urged members to attend the rally and watch for "agitators". The group also claimed that it was "working in connection" with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, a claim which was later denied by county authorities.[citation needed]
New Hampshire rally
In June 2016, the Lion Guard posted several notices about a Trump rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, urging members to attend. In response to criticism that the group was urging conflict and promoting violence, the Lion Guard stated on its website, "We do not endorse instigating fights or brawling with anti-Trump marauders. The Lion Guard seeks to identify and expose plots to attack Mr. Trump, Trump Supporters, and their rallies before they even can happen."[7]
Republican National Convention
The last known major action for the Lion Guard was its urging for members to report to the 2016 Republican National Convention. The group further urged its members to arm themselves, in accordance with Ohio's open carry laws, due to the "danger of insurrection". The Republican National Convention, due to its high profile status, in fact was a guns-free area and there was no evidence that Lion Guard members arrived to attend or disrupt the function.[citation needed]
Decline
As of August 2016, the group's Twitter account and website had become inactive. The group has posted no further material since that time.[8]
External links
- Bucci, Michael T. (April 26, 2016). ""Bikers for Trump", "Lions for Trump": Donald's Volunteer Security Armies". GlobalResearch.
References
- ^ Haralsson, Hrafnkell, "‘Lion’s Guard’ Group Forms to Bust Heads for Trump". Politicus USA, 15 Mar 2016
- ^ Edwards, David, "Trump militia forms to 'forcefully protect' rally goers against 'far-left agitators'", Salon On-Line, 18 March 2016
- ^ McDermott, J. "Trump’s Brownshirts? Militia vows to 'protect' Donald Trump", Arizona Republic, 13 June 2016
- ^ Garofalo, Michael (March 18, 2016). ""Exposing plots to attack Mr. Trump": The Lion Guard, a pro-Trump group, is tracking protesters online". Salon.
- ^ www.inspectlet.com, "Record Session ip 96.10.36.220 - Mar-Apr2016" (Retrieved 13Aug17)
- ^ Sheriff's Department Press Release, Cumberland County Government Record, Issue 4, Vol 23, Pgs 23-57 (16 Mar 2016)
- ^ http://lionsoftrump.net/about/ (Retrieved 25 Oct 2016)
- ^ Iplogger.org, "Website traffic for http://lionsoftrump.net/, retrieved 6 June 2017