Battleground States at ‘High Risk’ of Militia Violence Before and After US Election, Study Warns

With just six days to go before the United States Presidential Election between incumbent Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, there are fears of eruptions of violence across the country regardless of the result.

Five states are facing a high risk of election-related armed violence from militia groups, a study released last week has warned.

The report, entitled ‘Standing By: Right-Wing Militia Groups and the U.S. Election’ was released last Wednesday by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) in collaboration with MilitiaWatch. It cites Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin to be at high risk of increased militia activity in the lead-up and following the 3 November election. 

The joint effort cautions that militias may be active in capitals, surrounding towns, medium-population cities, and suburban areas with centralized zones.

North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, California, and New Mexico are currently at a moderate risk of experiencing militia activity.

The organisations are prepped for both urban and rural combat, use propaganda, and work as “security operations” for online and real-life events. 

Many of the states named have the president and his Democratic rival neck and neck in polling and will be essential in determining the election outcome.

​ACLED spokesman, Sam Jones, told American media on Tuesday saying his organisation and MilitiaWatch have had 80 groups under watch since the beginning of the summer – most of which are right-wing.

They outline nine militia groups as the “most active” in the US which could take action before and after the election, namely: Three Percenters, Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, Light Foot Militia, Civilian Defense Force, American Contingency, Patriot Prayer, Boogaloo Bois, and People’s Rights.

Sourse: sputniknews.com

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