Anti-UN Fever:
Libby Group Latest to Catch Paranoia Bug
An anti-government "patriot" group in Libby wants the Lincoln County Commission to declare the county a "United Nations-Free Zone." Conspiracy theories regarding supposed one-world government have long been common themes of the extreme right wing.
Project 56 presented a draft ordinance that would have rid Lincoln County of any UN personnel or facilities. The group's members cited the normal list of "patriot" fears in supporting the ordinance: loss of sovereignty, disarming of citizens, warning against UN biosphere and Heritage Park designations, etc.
One Project 56 supporter called the United Nations "a socialist movement in progress," while another warned that the UN is planting endangered species in areas just to cause problems for people. Project 56 asked the county commissioners to put the issue to a public vote. The commissioners took no action on the ordinance.
"Patriot" Rally Led to Project 56
In April 2000, then state representative Scott Orr and five others announced that an anti-federal government rally would be held in Libby. Their "War on the West" rally was geared towards stopping the "federal and global invasion of our rural communities." Among other activities, organizers said the rally would feature the burning of a UN flag. The initial announcements for the rally circulated widely throughout radical right-wing groups. Libby residents forced the organizers to cancel the rally after reports surfaced that militia and white supremacist groups were planning to attend. However, the inflammatory rhetoric of initial announcements did not die, and a small gathering of militia and white supremacists had a rally at a weigh station between Libby and Troy. Project 56, made up of many locals who supported the original rally, appeared shortly after the event.The group officially opposes the "New world Order and the United Nations," along with "collectivism" and "pluralism." All of these are labeled "ideologies of tyranny." The proposed anti-UN ordinance fits with Project 56's mission.
Anti-UN Ordinances on the Rise
The architect of the anti-UN ordinance is Texas' Daniel New. New runs a website focusing on his son, Michael New, a hero in the "patriot" movement. Michael New was court martialed in 1996 for refusing to wear a UN beret and insignia while serving in the armed forces in Macedonia. His refusal to serve the "New World Order" made him an instant hero to "patriots."
Daniel New is no stranger to Montana. He was a featured speaker at the Constitution Party of Montana's first convention in September 2000. The party combined many themes of the "patriot" movement with extreme Christian fundamentalism. During his speech, New claimed communists controlled the White House, and that the 1960s civil rights movement actually financed the Ku Klux Klan to generate public support for the civil rights movement.
Ordinances based on New's proposal have been adopted in other areas of the country. LaVerkin, Utah, made headlines when its city council adopted an anti-UN policy. The council issued a statement justifying its decision saying the UN "supports radical environmentalism" and the "disarmament of Americans." Recently, Binghan, New Mexico's city council passed an anti-UN ordinance
The Attack Continues
Project 56 members Ken Short and DC Orr have continued to promote the ordinance in local papers. Orr wrote a letter to the editor warning that the UN's objective is to "dismantle our heritage" and replace it with "socialistic paradigms."
Ken Short wrote a letter lashing out at the UN for attacking private property rights. He warned against any designations bestowed by the UN, including biosphere and heritage parks. He stressed all decisions about local resources should be turned over to local government.
Short also sent an interesting letter to MHRN. It was a copy of one sent by Project 56 to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a national group that monitors hate groups. Apparently trying to be funny, Short asked SPLC to place Project 56 on its list of national hate groups. Short said that "would give us the credit and recognition we rightfully deserve."