Three Percenters

{{bronze}}[[File:Official Three Percent Flag.svg|thumb|right|165px|Nothing says "[[patriot]]" like desecrating the flag based on a false premise... and then trying to help stage a coup where the real American flag was torn down and burned because you value [[Donald Trump|one man]] over an entire branch of the government.]]
{{altright}}
{{cquote|During the American Revolution, the active forces in the field against the King's tyranny never amounted to more than 3% of the colonists. Three Percenters today identify with this 3% because they were true patriots fighting for the freedoms the nation we love and honor was founded upon.|||Three Percenters website in 2014<ref>*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140121180509/https://www.thethreepercenters.org/ The Three Percenters] (archived website from January 21, 2014)</ref>}}
The '''Three Percenters''' ('''3 Percenters''', '''3%ers''' and '''III%ers''') is a [[far right]], [[terrorist]]<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-puts-us-right-wing-three-percenters-militia-group-terror-list-2021-06-25/ "Canada puts U.S. Three Percenters militia on terror list, cites risk of violent extremism"] by David Llunggren, Reuters, 2021 June 25</ref> anti-government [[militia]] organization<ref>[https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/antigovernment Antigovernment Movement] ''Southern Poverty Law Center''.</ref> founded in 2008, after [[Barack Obama]] was first elected [[POTUS|President]], by a bunch of [[gun nuts]] who were afraid that he was gonna take their guns.<ref name=hutter>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/three-percenters-canada-1.4647199 Three Percenters are Canada's 'most dangerous' extremist group, say some experts: Far-right group says it welcomes everyone, but some who've studied it say it's an anti-Muslim militia] by Kristy Hutter (Posted: May 10, 2018 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: May 10, 2018) ''CBC News''.</ref> Though the Three Percenters began in the [[United States]] based on anti-[[Tory#"Tory"_in_the_US|Tory]] [[mythology]], the group established its first [[Canadian]] chapter in [[Alberta]] in 2017 despite Canada having been a refuge for fleeing Tories after the [[American Revolution]].<ref>[https://www.vice.com/en/article/new9wd/the-birth-of-canadas-armed-anti-islamic-patriot-group Inside Canada's Armed, Anti-Islamic 'Patriot' Group] by Mack Lamoureux (June 14, 2017, 9:34am) ''Vice''.</ref> The foundational myth of the Three Percenters was that only 3% of American colonists fought against the [[British Empire]]; the actual percentage was in the range of 15-25% of the population (including women and children).<ref>[https://observer.com/2017/07/soldiers-militia-american-revolution/ More Americans Fought in the American Revolution Than We Thought: Our founders fought a hard, popular war for freedom] by John A. Tures (07/03/17 6:30am) ''Observer''.</ref> The name is also reflective of the group's contempt for both the majority of Americans and the very concept of democracy.{{nofact}}

The original organization, now called The Three Percenters Original (TTPO), was co-founded by Michael "Mike" Brian Vanderboegh {{lived|c. 1952|2016}},<ref>[https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article94813217.html Longtime militia and 'Patriot' leader Mike Vanderboegh dies at 64] by Judy L. Thomas (August 10, 2016 11:43 AM, Updated August 10, 2016 02:37 PM) ''The Kansas City Star''.</ref> who had previously been a member of [[Alabama]] militia groups.<ref>[https://www.politicalresearch.org/2016/01/05/profiles-on-the-right-three-percenters Profile on the Right: Three Percenters] by Spencer Sunshine (January 5, 2016) ''Political Research Associates''.</ref> From about 1969-1975, Vanderboegh was involved in various leftist and radical causes, including {{wpl|Students for a Democratic Society}} and the [[Socialist Workers Party (US)|Socialist Workers Party]].<ref>[https://aspace.ohiohistory.org/repositories/2/resources/3144 Mike Vanderboegh collection] ''Ohio History Connection''.</ref> Vanderboegh said that after he read the book ''Road to Serfdom'' by [[Friedrich August von Hayek]] (of the [[Austrian school]]), he moved politically from left to right.<ref>''Wingnuts: Extremism in the Age of Obama'' by John P. Avlon (2014)  Beast Books. 2<sup>nd</sup> ed. ISBN 9780991247608.</ref>{{rp|222–223}} By the 1990s, he became active in the militia movement.<ref name=adl/> Following the 1995 [[Timothy McVeigh|Oklahoma City bombing]], Vanderboegh promoted related [[conspiracy theories]].<ref name=adl/> In 2008, he started a blog called the Sipsey Street Irregulars, which he used to create the Three Percenters.<ref name=adl/><ref>[http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com/ Sipsey Street Irregulars]</ref>

The Three Percenters are considered to belong to the larger 'patriot movement' that includes militias, [[sovereign citizens]], and [[tax protester]]s.<ref name=hutter/><ref>{{wpa|Patriot movement}}</ref> The last time that membership was listed was in 2015, when they claimed about 470 members.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150803061517/http://www.thethreepercenters.org:80/apps/members/ Members] ''The Three Percenters'' (archived from August 3, 2015).</ref> Among these members is Daniel "Cully" Pratt.<ref>[https://thebrag.com/chris-pratt-seen-wearing-hat-supporting-white-supremacist-group-three-percenters/ "Chris Pratt seen wearing hat supporting white supremacist group, ‘Three Percenters’",] ''The Brag.'']</ref> Hmm, suspicious. 

==Malheur National Wildlife Refuge==
{{main|Cliven Bundy}}
After Cliven Bundy, a [[sovereign citizen]] of [[Nevada]], fought the Federal government over his 'right' to do whatever he wanted on Federal land, he moved on with his well-armed sons and buddies to take over Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in [[Oregon]] in 2016<ref>{{wpa|Timeline of the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge}}</ref> (though Bundy has claimed to be a citizen of Nevada, not the US).<ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/218116757/1998-U-S-Dist-LEXIS-23835 United States of America vs. Cliven Bundy, 1998]</ref> This asinine takeover was based on their pseudolaw idea that the Federal government was required to turn over most of the land that it owns within states to the respective states themselves. The Bundys were joined by the Pacific Patriots Network,<ref>[https://www.opb.org/news/series/burns-oregon-standoff-bundy-militia-news-updates/theres-another-armed-group-in-burns-and-theyre-not-the-bundys/ There's Another Armed Group In Burns And It's Not The Bundys] by Amanda Peacher (Jan. 10, 2016 8:55 a.m.) ''Oregon Public Broadcasting''.</ref> an umbrella group that includes regional Three Percenters ([[Idaho]] and Oregon) and [[Oath Keepers]] groups.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160713174928/http://www.pacificpatriotsnetwork.com/partners.php Partners] ''Pacific Patriots Network'' (archived from July 13, 2016).</ref> The weeks-long armed standoff with law enforcement resulted in the death of one of the participants, {{wpl|LaVoy Finicum||.}}

==2021 U.S. Capitol riot==
{{main|2021 U.S. Capitol riot}}
The Three Percenters had some noticeable presence at the 2021 Capitol riot-cum-insurrection based on photographic evidence of insignia. About 20 Three Percenters were charged with crimes at the riot,<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/three-percenters-charged-conspiracy-capitol-riot/2021/06/10/f84091e6-c9ec-11eb-81b1-34796c7393af_story.html Alleged supporters of right-wing Three Percenters group charged in new Jan. 6 Capitol riot conspiracy] by Spencer S. Hsu & Rachel Weiner (June 10, 2021 at 4:03 p.m. PDT) ''The Washington Post''.</ref> including:

*Robert Gieswein of [[Colorado]]. Gieswein is also a [[Proud Boys]] and Oath Keepers member, and runs a [[Paramilitary woo|paramilitary]] training group.<ref name=barrett>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/oath-keeper-three-percenter-arrests/2021/01/17/27e726f2-5847-11eb-a08b-f1381ef3d207_story.html FBI moves on alleged members of extremist groups Oath Keepers, Three Percenters] by Devlin Barrett & Spencer S. Hsu (Jan. 17, 2021 at 11:33 p.m. PST) ''The Washington Post''.</ref> He was convicted of "assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers", by using an aerosol irritant; he was sentenced to 48 months in prison and 36 months of probation.<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/colorado-man-sentenced-assault-law-enforcement-during-jan-6-capitol-breach Colorado Man Sentenced For Assault on Law Enforcement During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach] (June 23, 2023) ''United States Attorney's Office, District of Columbia, Department of Justice''.</ref>

*Alan Hostetter, California/Texas, ex-police chief, [[yoga]] instructor,<ref name=Balko>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/01/27/alan-hostetter-capitol-riot-police-chief-yoga-instructor/ Meet the police chief turned yoga instructor prodding wealthy suburbanites to civil war] by Radley Balko (Jan. 27, 2021 at 10:24 a.m. PST) ''The Washington Post''.</ref> allegedly adopted Three Percenters [[rhetoric]] and used the American Phoenix Project website "as a platform to advocate violence against certain groups and individuals". Charged with conspiracy, unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon, and obstruction.<ref name=hsu10>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/three-percenters-charged-conspiracy-capitol-riot/2021/06/10/f84091e6-c9ec-11eb-81b1-34796c7393af_story.html Alleged supporters of right-wing Three Percenters group charged in new Jan. 6 Capitol riot conspiracy] by Spencer S. Hsu & Rachel Weiner (June 10, 2021 at 4:03 p.m. PDT) ''The Washington Post''.</ref><ref name=hostetter>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/u-s-v-alan-hostetter-et-al-indictment/10ab4e7f-7e44-46de-b61b-85457604a4d6/ U.S. v Alan Hostetter et al Indictment] (Updated Jun 10, 2021 at 12:52 PM) ''The Washington Post''.</ref> Hostetter was "convicted of conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; and disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon." He was sentenced to 135 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release.<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/texas-man-sentenced-more-11-years-prison-conspiracy-obstruct-congress-and-other-charges Texas Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison for Conspiracy To Obstruct Congress and Other Charges During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach] (December 7, 2023) ''United States Attorney's Office, District of Columbia, Department of Justice''.</ref>

*Derek Kinnison, California, was "convicted of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and obstruction of an official proceeding" and "tampering with documents or proceedings, a felony".<ref name=4perps>[https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/four-three-percenters-california-found-guilty-conspiracy-and-other-charges-related-jan-6 Defendants Conspired Together to Travel and Obstruct Official Proceedings on Jan. 6] (November 8, 2023) ''United States Attorney's Office, District of Columbia, Department of Justice''.</ref>

*Felipe Antonio “Tony” Martinez, California, was "convicted of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and obstruction of an official proceeding".<ref name=4perps/>

*Patrick McCaughey III{{efn|Three Percenters, such as this character, will sometimes append a 'III' after their name to indicate membership.<ref name=adl/>}} of [[New York]] allegedly dragged a beaten police officer down the Capitol steps.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/US/capitol-rioter-allegedly-posted-pelosis-office-instagram-arrested/story?id=75324078 Capitol riot latest: Man who allegedly dragged beaten officer down steps charged] by Luke Barr et al. (January 22, 2021, 4:30 PM) ''ABC News''.</ref> He was charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, and using a dangerous weapon.<ref name=doj>[https://www.justice.gov/opa/investigations-regarding-violence-capitol Investigations regarding violence at the Capitol]. United States Department of Justice.</ref><ref name=politico012021>Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein, [https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/20/fbi-evidence-capitol-insurrection-plan-460836 Feds: Evidence shows well-laid plan by some Capitol insurrectionists]. Politico, 20 January 2021.</ref> McCaughey was convicted of 9 counts, including felony assault charges (crushing a police officer with a shield); he was sentenced to 7 years in prison.<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/capitol-riot-sentencing-patrick-mccaughey-police-attack-8fa19a15b9355a72bc69b067ffa63cb8 Capitol rioter who crushed officer with shield gets 7 years] by Michael Kunzelman (4:51 PM PST, April 14, 2023) ''AP''.</ref>

*Ronald Mele, California, was "convicted of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and obstruction of an official proceeding".<ref name=4perps/>

*Chris Miller, a [[Republican]] member of the [[Illinois]] General Assembly, had a decal of the Three Percenters anti-government movement prominently displayed on his truck while it was parked at the East Front of the Capitol — an area that was highly restricted on January 6. Miller denied that he knew what the symbol meant even though it was large and prominent.<ref name=bellware>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/02/27/three-percenter-truck/ 'Three percenters' truck at Capitol belongs to husband of congresswoman who said, 'Hitler was right on one thing'] by Kim Bellware (Feb. 27, 2021 at 5:26 p.m. PST) ''The Washington Post''.</ref><ref>[https://www.thedailybeast.com/rep-mary-millers-husband-owns-three-percenter-militia-truck-at-capitol-riot Three Percenter Truck at Capitol on Jan. 6 Belongs to Hitler-Quoting Rep's Husband] by Adam Rawnsley et al. (Updated Feb. 26, 2021 10:10AM ET / Published Feb. 25, 2021 11:33PM ET) ''The Daily Beast''.</ref> The denial rings hollow since his views are more-or-less in alignment with Three Percenters.<ref name=bellware/> Immediately before the insurrection, he went so far as to call [[Democrats]] "[[terrorists]]" and to say, "we’re engaged in a great [[culture war]] to see which [[worldview]] will survive."<ref name=bellware/> Miller is married to US Representative Mary E. Miller (R-IL). Mary Miller was forced to apologize for paraphrasing [[Hitler]] at the pre-insurrection [[Donald Trump|Trump]] rally.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/09/politics/mary-miller-apologize-hitler-comments/index.html Illinois Republican congresswoman apologizes for invoking Hitler as she faces calls to resign] by Veronica Stracqualursi (Updated 3:47 PM ET, Sat January 9, 2021) ''CNN''.</ref>

*Guy Wesley Reffitt of [[Texas]], who, according to his wife, threatened to kill their children if they turned him in.<ref name=peiser>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/01/19/capitol-rioter-reffitt-threaten-children/ Texas man at Capitol riot allegedly threatened to kill his kids if they turned him in: 'Traitors get shot'] by Jaclyn Peiser (Jan. 19, 2021 at 1:02 a.m. PST) ''The Washington Post''.</ref> He was charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly threatening his family and unlawful entry into the Capitol.<ref name=peiser/> Reffitt was found guilty on five charges: "obstruction of an official proceeding, interfering with police in a riot, transporting a firearm for that purpose, armed trespassing and witness tampering."<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/03/08/guy-reffitt-trial-verdict/ Guy Reffitt guilty on all counts in first Capitol riot trial] by Rachel Weiner & Spencer S. Hsu (March 8, 2022) ''The Washington Post''.</ref> Reffitt sentenced to 87 months in prison.<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/texas-man-sentenced-87-months-prison-actions-related-capitol-breach Defendant Carried Loaded Gun Onto Capitol Grounds, Led Charge Against Law Enforcement, Later Sought to Obstruct Justice] (August 1, 2022)  ''Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Justice''.</ref>

*Erik Scott Warner, California, was "convicted of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and obstruction of an official proceeding" and "tampering with documents or proceedings, a felony".<ref name=4perps/>

After the [[2021 U.S. Capitol riot]], the Three Percenters Original [[webshite]] briefly maintained their original bravado:

{{quotebox|…We will combat all those who are corrupt. We are America's insurance policy. We will not see our republic fall. …<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210107185812/https://www.thethreepercenters.org/ The Three Percenters Original] (archived from January 7, 2021).</ref>}}

However, in the face of serious charges against some Three Percenters, TTPO quickly folded their cards and dissolved their organization,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210222034806/https://thethreepercenters.org/2021/02/ttpos-final-statement/21/ TTPO's Final Statement] (Feb 21, 2021) ''The Three Percenters Original''.</ref> claiming that ''their'' Three Percenters group did nothing wrong, it was some other Three Percenters:

{{quotebox|We did <u>not</u> conspire or participate in the Jan 6 DC riots and Capitol breach and we condemn the actions of those that did.<ref>[https://thethreepercenters.org/ Three Percenters Original] (archived from March 1, 2021).</ref>}}

There was no formal membership for Three Percenters, and one merely had to say that one was a member,<ref name=adl>[https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/three-percenters Three Percenters] ''ADL''.</ref> a convenient [[escape hatch]]. There were once many chapters of the Three Percenters.<ref name=adl/> If one puts a bunch of belligerent [[asshole]]s in the same space for long enough, there's gonna be a blowup; hence there have been numerous [[schism]]s from TTPO.<ref>[https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2019/09/06/three-percent-security-forces-split-highlights-plague-infighting Three Percent Security Force’s Split Highlights Plague of Infighting] (September 06, 2019) ''Southern Poverty Law Center''.</ref>

Starting from February 2024, there had been a placeholder page on their website with just their logo.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20240222214859/https://www.thethreepercenters.org/ The Three Percenters] (archived from February 22, 2024).</ref> However, with Trump back in office and so many of their members now pardoned, this is no longer the case.<ref>[https://archive.ph/Wyl7J The Three Percenters] (archived from June 13, 2025).</ref>

==Gallery==
<center><gallery widths=225px heights=225px>
File:Three Percenter militiaman – Ohio Statehouse Rally Against Red Gun Laws (09.07.19).jpg|A Three Percenter in military gear menacing the Ohio Statehouse in 2019
File:Three Percenters vs. Redcoats.jpg|Did you know that American colonists shot at the Redcoats during the revolution with AR-15 semi-automatic rifles? They also recited [[The Pledge of Allegiance]], which did not exist until a century later.
File:46.ProudBoys.USSC.WDC.6January2021 (50810872007).jpg|A man with only 4 pieces of flair:<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7SNEdjftno Office Space (5/5) Movie CLIP - Joanna Quits With Flair (1999) HD] (Aug 11, 2015) ''YouTube''.</ref> [[Alt-right glossary#Molon labe|ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ]] (misspelled as ΜΟΛΩΠ ΛΑΒΣ), referencing [[pseudohistory]] surrounding the battle of Thermopylae and [[white supremacy]];<ref>[https://eidolon.pub/learn-some-f-cking-history-94f9a02041d3?gi=74c38139643b “Learn Some F*cking History”] by Donna Zuckerberg (Oct 5, 2017) ''Eidolon''.</ref> Three Percenter; Proud Boys; and tax protester. He is marching towards the 2021 Capitol riot.
File:TrumpRally10.SenatePark.WDC.6January2021 (50808847673).jpg|Three Percenter (left), mesmerized by crazy gramps' oration at the 2021 Capitol riot
File:Chris Miller's truck.jpg|Chris Miller's truck with Three Percenter sticker
</gallery></center>

==See also==
*[[The Citadel]] — A planned Three Percenter garrison in Idaho: scheme or [[scam]]?

==External links==
*[https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/michael-brian-vanderboegh-0 Michael Brian Vanderboegh] ''[[Southern Poverty Law Center]]''
*Some of the archived member images of TTPO:
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20141222193918/http://www.thethreepercenters.org:80/apps/members/ Members] (December 22, 2014)
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20140716032456/http://www.thethreepercenters.org:80/apps/members/ Members] (July 16, 2014)
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20131028043200/http://www.thethreepercenters.org:80/apps/members/ Members] (October 28, 2013)
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20130828043455/http://www.thethreepercenters.org:80/apps/members/ Members] (August 28, 2013)
*[https://thethreepercenters.org/ The Three Percenters Original] — current page

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:2021 U.S. coup attempt]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Convicted felons]]
[[Category:Fascism]]
[[Category:Gun nuts]]
[[Category:Libertarianism]]
[[Category:Machismo]]
[[Category:Militia movement]]
[[Category:Pseudolaw]]
[[Category:Racism]]
[[Category:Tax protesters]]
[[Category:Terrorist organisations]]
[[Category:Vigilantes]]

Categories: 2021 U.S. coup attempt, Conspiracy theorists, Convicted felons, Fascism, Gun nuts, Libertarianism, Machismo, Militia movement, Pseudolaw, Racism, Tax protesters, Terrorist organisations, Vigilantes