176. Sovereign Citizens Part 2: Research & Criminality

This week the docs dive into the subject of "Sovereign Citizens," individuals or groups in the United States, and increasingly, around the globe who adhere to a fringe legal theory asserting that they are not subject to the authority of government entities. In Part 2, the docs review the research literature and discuss Sovereign Citizens' engagement with law enforcement, court systems and the general public and the mental gymnastics have moved this once fringe movement into violence.

RESOURCES

• ADL. “The Sovereign Citizen Movement.” Www.adl.org, www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/sovereign-citizen-movement-united-states. Accessed 31 Jan. 2024.

• Anti Defamation League. “Ammon Bundy and “People’s Rights” | ADL.” Www.adl.org, 29 Nov. 2022, www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/ammon-bundy-and-peoples-rights.

• Lochhead, Colton. “Ambush That Killed Two Metro Cops in 2014 Lasted 4 Seconds, Testimony Shows.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, 5 Sept. 2015, www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/ambush-that-killed-two-metro-cops-in-2014-lasted-4-seconds-testimony-shows/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2024.

• Southern Poverty Law Center. “Sovereign Citizens Movement.” Southern Poverty Law Center, 2010, www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/sovereign-citizens-movement.

• SPLC. ““Sovereign” Citizen Kane.” Southern Poverty Law Center, www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2010/sovereign-citizen-kane. Accessed 3 Feb. 2024.

• ---. “Moorish Sovereign Citizens.” Southern Poverty Law Center, www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/moorish-sovereign-citizens.

• “The Courtroom in Your Head: Psychiatry Evaluates the Sovereign Citizen Movement.” Www.youtube.com, www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i-rgv_nmxM. Accessed 3 Feb. 2024.

• The Oregonian/OregonLive. “Oregon Standoff Timeline: 41 Days of the Malheur Refuge Occupation and the Aftermath.” Oregonlive, 14 Feb. 2017, www.oregonlive.com/portland/2017/02/oregon_standoff_timeline_41_da.html.