This article is about the U.S. right-wing social movement. For the sheriff's power to summon men for law enforcement at common law, see Posse Comitatus (Common Law). For the United States law forbidding the use of military forces for law enforcement, see Posse Comitatus Act.

The Posse Comitatus (from the Latin phrase meaning "power of the county") is a loosely-organized right-wing social movement that opposes the United States federal government and believes in radical localism. There is no single national group, and local units are autonomous.

Posse members believe that there is no legitimate form of government above that of the county level and no higher law authority than the county sheriff and that if the sheriff refuses to carry out the will of the county's citizens:

"...he shall be removed by the Posse to the most populated intersection of streets in the township and at high noon be hung by the neck, the body remaining until sundown as an example to those who would subvert the law."

Many Posse members practice survivalism and played a role in the formation of the armed citizens militias in the 1990s.

Federal taxes

Members of the Posse Comitatus frequently refuse to pay taxes, to obtain driver's licenses, or otherwise to comply with regulatory authorities. They deny the validity of United States fiat money as not backed by gold, which they claim the Constitution requires.

They have unusual legal documents drawn up and attempt to record them, declaring independence from the United States, or claiming to file "common law" liens against perceived enemies like Internal Revenue Service employees or judges. They are often involved in various tax protests, and have invoked arguments popularized by tax protesters.

Criminal activities

Some Posse members have engaged in vigilantism.

In 1983, Posse member (and accused parole violator) Gordon Kahl killed two Federal marshals (who had come to arrest him) in North Dakota and became a fugitive. Kahl later was killed by Arkansas law enforcement officials in a shootout in which a local sheriff was also killed.

Other members of the group have also been convicted of crimes ranging from tax evasion and counterfeiting to threatening the lives of IRS agents and judges.

Racism and origins

Many Posse members embraced the antisemitic and white supremacist beliefs of Christian Identity.

Some believe that the U.S. Federal government is illegitimate and in the hands of "ZOG," a Jewish conspiracy.

Posse charters were issued in 1969 in Portland, Oregon, by Henry Lamont Beach , a retired dry cleaner and one-time member of the Silver Shirts, a Nazi-inspired organization that was established in America after Hitler rose to power in Germany.

Ironically, William Potter Gale , who is considered the intellectual founder of the movement and was one of its most virulent anti-Semites (telling Kansas farmers in 1982 "If a Jew comes near you, run a sword through him") was, himself, descended on his father's side from a long line of devout Jews. Charles Gale (born Grabfiker), was a Jew who immigrated to the United States in 1896 from Eastern Europe at the age of 14. He changed his name and lied about his birthplace to join the US Army in 1900, eventually converted to Christianity, married a non-Jew, and raised his children as Christians. Several of William Potter Gale's siblings, however, have returned to their Jewish heritage.

External links

• Nizkor on the Posse Comitatus Critical article
• The Posse Comitatus by Ian Geldard brief overview of the origins and development of the group
• Hate and Hypocriscy - What is behind the rare-but-recurring phenomenon of Jewish anti-Semites? Features story of William Potter Gale