US Election Day: Five states under high alert for civilian militia activity

Five states have been put under high alert for civilian militia activity on the Election Day today (Tuesday), according to a report by ACLED.

Gathering under the charter — primarily over the Black Lives Matter protests, the presence of antifa and coronavirus restrictions — has taken a darker turn in recent weeks. It is expected that some militias have begun doomsday prepping for Election Day.

According to the report, produced by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project and MilitiaWatch, "Capitals and peripheral towns, as well as medium-population cities and suburban areas with centralised zones in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Oregon are at highest risk of increased militia activity in the election and post-election period."

The report sees Oregon as most venerable to such activities due to recent unrest in the state. “Oregon has been the site of significant unrest in recent months involving demonstrators met by armed militias as well as state and federal forces.”

It warned, “Militia groups and other armed non-state actors pose a serious threat to the safety and security of American voters.”

Furthermore, the ACLED finds that throughout the summer and leading up to the Election Day, these groups have become more assertive, with activities ranging from intervening in protests to organising kidnapping plots targeting elected officials.

The report, “Standing By: Right-Wing Militia Groups and the US Election”, also specified states where substantial engagement in anti-coronavirus-lockdown protests and where militias have had recruitment drives and training, and cultivated relationships with law enforcement.

ACLED and MilitaWatch also identified nine, large multistate right-wing groups that could present problems, including Proud Boys, Patriot Prayer, Three Percenters, Oath Keepers, Light Foot Militia, Civilian Defense Force, American Contingency, Boogaloo Bois and People’s Rights.