On Oct. 15, I wrote an article about the hate group known as “Proud Boys” in New Hampshire. This article will focus on the “Oath Keepers” here in the state.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center there are currently 1,225 antigovernment and hate groups all across America. There are fifteen here in New Hampshire.
The Oath Keepers, a far-right, anti-government militia was founded in 2009 by former attorney Elmer Stewart Rhodes. The Dept. of Justice (DoJ) has described the group as a “large, but loosely organized militia,” who believes in many conspiracy theories. One such theory is the federal government could force American citizens into concentration camps. I remain hopeful that the government learned something from the unlawful incarceration in this country of Japanese American citizens during WWII.
Earlier this year, Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in the Jan. 2021 Capitol insurrection and was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
According to a report last year by NH Public Radio, a hacked database revealed there were almost 300 NH residents who were listed as alleged members of the militia. Members from across the state, Monadnock region, the North Country and along the Seacoast were included in the database. The towns with the most names listed were Manchester, Nashua, Salem and Weare.
Included in that database were former lawmakers, law enforcement members, local elected officials and members of the military. According to election records, about 18 named residents appear to have campaigned for elected (state or federal) positions in NH. Additionally, included with the alleged above-mentioned members are auto mechanics, business owners, a cemetery trustee, engineers, a financial planner, IT professionals, gun brokers, lawyers and a martial arts instructor.
In addition to Oath Keepers, some of these members also appear to be (or have been) involved with the New Hampshire Minutemen, another statewide right-wing political movement.
We should all be going into an important election year in 2024 with our eyes wide open. Our democracy depends on it, here in NH and all across America.