Straight Outta Cottonwood: The Story of Northern California’s Outlaw MAGA Militia

…In the same KCNR Sate of Jefferson podcast, Clendenen, Hambly, and Hubbard explained the positive activities the militia undertakes. For example, Cottonwood Militia members have cleaned up litter left behind in homeless encampments. Cottonwood Militia members have helped with community fundraisers and events. Cottonwood Militia members have filled sandbags during times of storms and floods. Cottonwood Militia members have aided residents and livestock during wildfire evacuations.

But there’s no disputing the fact that in addition to all those attributes, the Cottonwood Militia is a Proud-Boys-friendly, illegal, unlawful paramilitary force that provides militaristic support for far-right North State causes.

Case in point, Hubbard was among militia members who showed up at the June 2020 racial inequality protest in Redding. Hubbard said he had been doing training on his own before joining the militia….


…Jones said Shasta County is a conservative country and that it should be represented by conservatives; a point he’s repeated on several occasions. He also explained that gun sales have skyrocketed of late at his family’s gun shop. Jones was asked what role faith played in the far-right movement in Shasta County. He said that “your rights come from God” and that the Constitution backs this up.


Shasta County District 4 Supervisor Patrick Jones.
Despite the fact that Shasta County’s population is only slightly more 182,000 people, it is home to the greatest number of concealed carry firearm permits per capita in California. The number of unpermitted Shasta County firearms is unknown.

Nevertheless, what is known is that there’s a growing number of North State gun owners who refuse to apply for gun permits because they view gun-ownership as a God-given right, and they will not seek government permission for such a right. One high-profile example is newly elected District 5 Supervisor Chris Kelstrom, who boldly claimed during campaign forums that he carries a firearm without a CCW permit.

Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Tyler Thompson also owns a gun shop known as Redding Guns LLC. Politicians and law enforcement officials are actively participating in arming Shasta County’s population.

Clendenen gave a brief history of the militia in the Vice TV episode and fired off his handgun at a target for the camera person. Clendenen said recruitment in his militia is 10 times what it was before 2010…







https://anewscafe.com/2023/01/29/re...-of-northern-californias-maga-outlaw-militia/





This is from the perspective of a media source for the secular progressive minority here. The militia is not any real danger to people here at all. They operate within the law. They have strong ties to people in law enforcement here both at city and county levels. They do a lot of good things in the community.

 

It’s almost like none of these people have ever read the constitution — either that or they don’t have the ability to comprehend it and the words of the founders.

Why would god want people to have guns, why would a god want a world where guns are even needed?

If they are doing positive things in their communities then good for them. More people do the same. The influence the magaga movement has on LEO’s though, that’s troubling.

Why does the far right need “militaristic support”?

 

The actual full liberal article has lots of pictures and videos and is very long.
On the other hand, I’m not a member of it at all but they certainly are insurance here against an appearance by Antifa and non peaceful BLM activity in our less rural areas.

 

BLM and Antifa are the answer to your last question. I see nothing troubling about the positive relationships between those people and individuals in law enforcement. As to good people having guns, that is a great thing to me. I don’t have any but feel totally safe living in the most heavily armed city/county in the state maybe the country. We have more pickups here than 4 door sedans and way more guns than people.

 

the talk of civil war and revolution by many of the MAGA right is scary indeed, hopefully it's all just talk

 

Civil war and Revolution are not the goal here at all.

 

Antifa = Anti Fascists. Now I would think a group like that would attract Antifa. BTW what are you worried about with Antifa? If you are not a fascist you should not be a target

 

Then why form militaristic groups? I mean once upon a time the activities listed in the OP would have been performed by Rotary clubs, Lions clubs etc

 

after 25 yrs of living with a spiritual lifestyle and always rejecting organized religion, for basicly the reason the RW reject government IMO opinion much organized religion has interjected man-made ideas and goals, i just dont believe any human can understand an INFINITE being, many religous "christian" concepts predate and resemble our Christianity and incorporate the same or similar concepts nut seem to me to be more humane and tolerant overall

 

in our world presently "winning" is nearly woshiped as an evolutionary correct way of life, this completly overlooks "cooperation" in an evolutionary environment
to go a step further our evangelical christians push religion on the unconverted and this "indoctrination" to use a term of the right is a major cause of concern with the chinese, i will add not all denominations are so concerned with missionary and converting the outsiders

 

It’s a voluntary organization. It has no issues with but is on friendly terms with local law enforcement.

 

We are not the fascists in this county. The state government on the other hand is. We are far enough away from Antifa urban areas that them busing and carpooling here from Portland or the Bay Area is a logistical problem for them. That and that here local law enforcement would actively stop such activities they are known for.

 

Straight outta the Jan 6th play book:

 

What could possibly go wrong?

 

That long pre dated any J6 ideas or actions and we did successfully defy the state and keep our economy open during the state lockdowns and ignore masking regulations. We defying the state is a badge of honor locally.

 

Nothing did go wrong…

 

I assume without needing to shoot government officials? This is good.

 

With these upstanding patriots, we can rest assured...

 

has that happened often? "the appearance of antifa and blm?"

 

defying state health and safety advisories might be considered stupid. do you "badge of honor" winners defy seat belt, hard hat, and motorcycle regulations as well?

 

And died by the hundreds

Can’t cure stupid

I think of it as evolution in action

 

Definitely someone with the wrong tooth/tattoo ratio! Lols!

 

There was no shooting or violence here against any elected or appointed official. Our local elected leaders are not an issue here. We are United against the the secular progressive urban elites elected and sent to Sacramento and their policies.

 

Sooooooo x are you aiming at “non Christian democrats”???

 

Just that one time. There were rumors that Antifa were coming that night too but a couple of federal LEO task forces arrived during the day. The showdown thank God didn’t happen. I believe that Antifa turned back when Trumps feds arrived. Unlike Portland they were openly welcomed here. I went to go to a joint African American church and police department March that was cancelled for fear of what might happen and not enough other police to protect the city if it did and why the militia showed up at the court house that night where BLM did show up. It was peaceful. The owner of the media this story originated is still bitter about it. Of course before all this she wrote an open letter to the governor inviting him to send in enforcement to coerce the majority here into compliance with his powers which made her an enemy of many here.