Response to the October 13th Full Committee Hearing: Domestic Violent Extremist Groups and the Recruitment of Veterans
It is a common narrative from many in the media, the political class, and some talking heads that the RealID3P is made up of white supremacists, racists, fascists, extremists, or domestic terrorists. This is factually incorrect and, we believe, this is a purposeful mischaracterization to bias the general public against us. During the Full Committee Hearing on October 13th on Domestic Violent Extremist Groups and the Recruitment of Veterans, speakers and committee members repeated the fallacy that three percenters either are, or are somehow connected to, white supremacists, racists, fascists, anti-government extremists, or domestic terrorists without one participant ever providing any evidence during the entire 3-hour hearing. The Center for Strategic and International Studies, whose Senior Vice President Seth Jones participated on the panel of guest speakers, states "Terrorism includes the deliberate use—or threat—of violence by non-state actors to achieve political goals and create a broad psychological impact". We ask all the participants of the October 13th hearing or any others, where and when has the RealID3P committed or threatened to commit such acts?
Our Membership Manual states unequivocally, "We are not advocating or promoting the overthrow of any government..." and, "Members do not advocate or promote any acts of violence or aggression against any organization, group, or person for any reason including but not limited to: race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, gender, or sexual orientation." There are bad actors in any large group of people no matter how diligently that entity tries to police itself. We have taken action to enforce these rules in the past and will continue to do so.
Some who participated in the hearing made claims citing instances of negative interactions between other groups they lumped in with the three percent and law enforcement, incorrectly characterizing our entire membership. We urge any who participated in the October 13th hearing to produce evidence of the RealID3P participating in or planning any plot to harm any official, person, or government entity. We can state without hesitation, you will find none.
This is the problem with relying on the testimony of supposed “experts” instead of the people who are openly involved with these groups. We were disappointed to see not one person was invited to represent the accused. We believe this is fundamentally wrong and un-American. As was said in our last open letter to the committee, Eric Parker would have traveled there and answered any questions. Instead, the committee relied on generalized anecdotal testimony, proving that this was just a dog and pony show to further justify political targeting within our military.
The vast majority of our efforts are directed at our local communities. What we offer to our membership is community support and organization. If a member needs any kind of assistance, whether that’s to help the unemployed find employment, cutting down trees on his or her property, or banding together to buy bulk goods at a cheaper price, we do all we can to help other members and our broader communities as a whole. We are strong defenders of our Natural Rights and we believe one of the most important of those rights is the right to defend oneself. In that regard, we do offer firearms training to our all of our members so they can defend themselves and their loved ones safely and confidently. This safety training does not make us a militia, anti-government, or domestic terrorists.
On a final note, during the October 13th meeting, there was a strong tenor that implied our veterans were somehow incapable of identifying "extremist" groups or actions and it implied childlike naivete when it comes to a veteran knowing what is or isn't a danger to themselves or their country. This is insulting and denotes a complete lack of respect for our veterans and their service. We demand that our elected representatives use their time more wisely to improve the V A's care for our veterans. It was said by Chairman Takano of this committee that “veterans have been harmed and killed participating in these groups”.
We would challenge that assertion and we would remind the chairman that 22 veterans a day commit suicide. That is 7,920 veteran deaths a year that rest squarely at the feet of your committee.
Signed
A North Idaho Three Percenter @ The Real 3%ers Idaho
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