(U//FOUO) FBI Domestic Terrorism Symbols Guide: Militia Violent Extremism

April 23, 2023

The following document is part of the FBI's Domestic Terrorism Symbols Guide and its existence was first disclosed in screenshots released by Project Veritas.

Domestic Terrorism Symbols Guide: Militia Violent Extremism

Page Count: 2 pages
Date: May 2022
Restriction: For Official Use Only
Originating Organization: Federal Bureau of Investigation
File Type: pdf
File Size: 877,835 bytes
File Hash (SHA-256): 2D32403D6CEB5862BB39EBEDFE6390A237F0FD70E9C37D2E01F0E4E5CAE485C5

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The following symbols are used by Anti-Government or Anti-Authority Violent Extremists, specifically Militia Violent Extremists (MVE). MVE symbols are often found on propaganda, online platforms, memes, merchandise, group logos, flags, tattoos, uniforms, etc. Widespread use of symbols and quotes from American history, especially the Revolutionary war, exists within MVE networks. Historic and contemporary military themes are common for MVE symbols. The use or sharing of these symbols alone should not independently be considered evidence of MVE presence or affiliation or serve as an indicator of illegal activity, as many individuals use these symbols for their original, historic meaning, or other non-violent purposes.

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(U//FOUO) COMMON PHRASES AND REFERENCES

(U) “When tyanny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty,” and variations.
(U) “We are everywhere” and “expect us,” “I will not comply,” and “All enemies foreign and domestic.”
(U) “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
(U) “I became unreasonable”
(U) “His name was Duncan Lemp”
(U) “Well Regulated American Militia”

(U) MVEs consider the following individuals to be Martyrs:
• (U) Vicki Weaver (Ruby Ridge 1992)
• (U) Marvin Heemeyer (Killdozer 2004)
• (U) LaVoy Finicum (MNWR 2016)
• (U) Duncan Lemp (2020)
• (U) Ashli Babbitt (Capitol Siege 2021)

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(U//FOUO) SIGNIFICANT EVENTS MVEs MAY REFERENCE

(U) Ruby Ridge: (U) 21 August 1992, 11-day armed siege at the Weaver residence, Naples, Idaho.

(U) Waco: (U) 28 February 1993, Armed siege at the Branch Davidian Compound, Waco, Texas.

(U//FOUO) NOTABLE ATTACKS OR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THAT INSPIRE MVEs

(U) Timothy McVeigh: (U) 19 April 1995, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah building. Targeting the US government, killed 168, several hundred injured.
(U) The Crusaders: October 2016, three MVEs were arrested for planning to conduct an IED attack on an apartment complex in Garden City, Kansas, where Muslim immigrants from Somalia lived and worshipped.
(U) Steven Carrillo: (U) In late May and early June 2020, two ambush-style attacks by alleged MVE occurred against security personnel and law enforcement officers. 2 were killed and 3 injured.