Categories
Read

Zello, Operator II: Severed networks and those that remain


This article follows up a previous MilitiaWatch article on the use of Zello, a free walkie-talkie app, by the US-based armed far-right, including aggressive activists working in support of former president Donald Trump. That article with visualizations is available here:

Since that article, further investigation of right-wing militant groups’ use of Zello resulted in the direct recording of it being used at the 6 January storming of the US Capitol Building. This was then published in The Guardian. As references in that article, a list of over 800 channels was sent to Zello with a request for comment. Zello subsequently announced that they had banned 2000 militia-related channels, though they described groups’ use of the platform as “social media vanity messaging”. An On the media podcast covering this can be listened to at this link.

Categories
Updates

Weekly (x2) : 12 Apr 21


After a hiatus last week, we catch up with two weeks’ worth of weekly updates, including the following:

  • Texas MyMilitia poster plotted to blow up an Amazon data center
  • California Boogaloo adherents arrested for destroying evidence
  • Another Proud Boys leader revealed as a Fed
  • APC founder announces run for Michigan governor
  • III% members assault SC couple at gunpoint
  • Mother of Kyle Rittenhouse calls for audit of funds raised by Lin Wood

Categories
Updates

Weekly: 29 Mar 21


Chag sameach to those observing and happy Holi to those celebrating! Here’s a weekly round-up that’s a bit shorter than the last few weeks. This one covers the following:

  • SC Senators aim to make all Palmetto State residents militia members
  • Court docs indicate attempted “alliance” between Oath Keepers, III%, and Proud Boys
  • Virginia sheriff’s office and county militia hold joint gun raffle

Categories
Updates

Weekly: 22 Mar 21


MilitiaWatch would like to extend our deepest condolences to the friends, family, and communities impacted by the brutal attacks on Atlanta-area spas this past week. It’s an absolute tragedy and our hearts ache for those impacted.

This week, the update features the following and more:

  • Ammon Bundy spends night in jail for missing court date due to refusal to don mask
  • Texas III% member arrested in connection to J6 planned to use LLC to purchase weapons for militia group
  • Michigan militia was prepared to engage police or feds in combat, informant details
  • ODNI releases ridiculous ‘terror’ risk report

Categories
Updates

Weekly: 15 Mar 21


Beware the Ides of March! This week, we dive into some of the news about the following:

  • Neo-Nazi arrested on illegal possession of a firearm, seems to think old crimes don’t count
  • Wolverines informant says he got involved via Facebook
  • DOJ charges to soon target Oath Keepers more aggressively
  • Bundy hints at equating mask mandate protests to a revolutionary struggle

Categories
Updates

Weekly: 8 Mar 2021


This week’s update features some of the following:

  • Boogaloo adherent arrested for trying to escalate violence at BLM protests
  • Congress getting canceled over vague fears of a ‘militia threat’
  • The Oath Keepers’ J6 “QRF”
  • Gosar offers a public endorsement of fascism

Categories
Updates

Weekly: 1 Mar 2021


Happy March, here’s another weekly update. This week, the following is covered:

  • Further J6 updates, such as Greene’s connections to Capitol stormers
  • More legal updates, including The Base attempting to set up a white ethnostate in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
  • Other updates, like the revealing of a campaign photo of a sheriff posing with a Q fanatic

Categories
Updates

Weekly: 22 Feb 2021


Another Monday, another weekly update. Shorter than last few weeks. Covered here includes the following:

  • More J6 updates, focusing on OH, GA, and the group make-up of the stormers
  • Legal updates for Rittenhouse and New England Minutemen
  • “Recall Newsom” drama aimed at San Diego mayor

Categories
Updates

Weekly: 15 Feb 2021


Another weekly update covering the past week or so in the news. This week, the update features stories about the following:

  • Roger Stone’s OK security detail as a common feature at far-right gatherings
  • More FBI/US military/local police connections to militia movements
  • Boogaloo adherents arrested, Rittenhouse not re-arrested

Categories
Updates

Weekly: 8 Feb 2021


This week, another update with the following included:

  • More J6 updates, including a terror designation by Canada
  • Rittenhouse not at home, bond terms to be further revisited
  • New GA militant coalition announced
  • Sugar Pine mine case moves forward
  • Michigan pursuing further gun restrictions
  • GOP candidate posts threatening message, photo of noose