Recently in central Florida two deputies were shot by a “sovereign” citizen as they attempted to remove him from his vehicle in a public park in the early morning hours. The shooter did not survive. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd’s press conference is shown in the video below:
The Muurish or Moorish or Washitaw nation is not a new organization, they claim to be the indigenous people of North America citing the works of my great-grandfather, James Churchward. I have interacted with members of the organization and have even written a blog post (Examining the ‘Mound Builder’s Calendar Stone’) and a video (James Churchward and the Muurish Empire Washita.)
The belief in being a sovereign citizen isn’t only taken up by members of the Empire Washitaw De Dugdahmoundyah, there are a wide range of folks with this mistaken belief. This ’empire’ uses James Churchward’s theories to cite they are the indigenous people of North America and thereby attempt to exempt themselves from federal, state and local laws (ask Wesley Snipes if that works if you don’t pay your taxes.) Based solely on passages from the 1931 Children of Mu, the United Nations has recognized them as an indigenous people with all the rights (see the “United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples” on their webpage.) Article 4 states:
Indigenous peoples, in exercising their right to self-determination, have the right to autonomy or self-government in matters relating to their internal and local affairs, as well as ways and means for financing their autonomous functions.
Unfortunately, this has been interpreted to mean they are not bound by federal, state or local laws.
As Sheriff Judd says in the video, he could have walked away peaceably with no charges – instead, he decided to start shooting and ended up graveyard dead.
To be clear, not all sovereign citizens are a danger to themselves or others, but some are. This shooting didn’t have to happen. The sheriff’s deputies could be home with their families now instead of fighting for their lives and the mistaken young man could be alive and well spending time with his loved ones.
Please pray for the families of the officers and the mistaken young man.
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