FBI File on the Posse Comitatus
This FBI file is an excellent case study of the tracking of a hate group. A group of right-wing extremists, the Posse Comitatus was formed in Oregon in the early 1970s. Established as a group of citizens "voluntarily acting in the name of the local sheriff to enforce the law," the Posse Comitatus hated Jews, African-Americans, and government officials above the rank of sheriff. Holding the federal government in contempt as illegitimate, and recognizing lawful authority only on the county level, the Posse also advocated tax rebellion.
Covering the period 1973-1977 and 1980-1996, this collection contains copies of hate literature, details of a bombing, and notes from several income tax evasion trials. This file will be of interest to those studying hate groups and the government's efforts to monitor them.
Number of reels: 2