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| "Sovereign citizens" politicize squatting - Taking over vacant properties with bogus "deeds" |
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| Written by Alex Hildred |
| Thursday, 19 August 2010 18:43 |
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According to authorities, a fairly new fringe group calling themselves "sovereign citizens" have begun occupying vacant properties, using faked documents to claim legal ownership. In the metropolitan Atlanta area, at least 19 properties, ranging from foreclosed McMansions to a $13 million shopping center, have been taken over by adherents to anti-government extremist ideology, who claim - and actually seem to believe - that state and federal laws don't apply to them, and that banks can't own land. What is ironic is that despite their claims that laws don't apply to them, they seem quite inclined to work within that invalid system, filing liens on properties and lawsuits against anyone who challenges them, including law enforcement and government officials. They are not averse to taking advantage of the justice system either. Lieutenant Joe Fagan, commander of DeKalb Police's North Precinct, notes, "They don't believe in the U.S. and our laws until they are arrested. Then they want a lawyer." The banks, law enforcement personnel, and prosecutors are determined to show the extremists the error of their ways. In fact the FBI has added them to its list of domestic terrorists, claiming that they are committing paper terrorism and attempting to upset the U.S. economy. While some may see these "sovereign citizens" as Robin Hood type heroes, DeKalb County Deputy Sheriff Assistant District Attorney John Melvin has a different perspective. In a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he said, "Let's not paint these people to be Robin Hood because they're not giving to the poor. They are taking." He added that the usurpers are "a different animal than squatters. They show bogus quitclaim deeds, call the locksmith and move in. For them, it's that easy." Lax laws regarding the filing of quitclaim deeds make it easier for the property thieves. Apart from paper terrorism, the threat of physical terrorism is always a concern. While police say that so far there hasn't been any notable violence associated with these groups in the Atlanta area, other self-proclaimed sovereign citizens in Arkansas were charged with the shooting deaths of two police officers this past May. Of course, the emergence of these groups of "sovereign citizens" isn't really new. Over the past decade or so, we've heard a lot about (and from) different militia groups who made similar claims. Most were little more than frustrated citizens who banded together to let off steam, but there have been instances where their outrage turned violent. As a result, the catch-all phrase "militia" has acquired a pretty negative image among more normal folks. The new moniker might be the brainchild of some fringe element member who fancies him/her self a public relations wizard, but is obviously not the product of anyone with any degree of tactical savvy. Common sense would seem to dictate that the groups' activities would inevitably draw the attention of law enforcement, along with the corresponding problems for the group's members. The "new" tactics bring to mind a quote typically attributed to Albert Einstein, "The definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing over and over, and then expecting different results." What "result" the sovereign citizens hope to achieve is anyone's guess. The result that will be achieved is pretty clear, however - well, to everyone except the sovereign citizens themselves. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites |
