Veterans on Patrol

Veterans on Patrol is an American right-wing extremist militia founded by Michael “Lewis Arthur” Meyer.[1][2][3]

Veterans on Patrol
Formation2015
FounderMichael “Lewis Arthur” Meyer
TypeMilitia
PurposeVigilantism
HeadquartersPima County, Arizona

History and aims

Veterans on Patrol was founded in Pima County, Arizona[1] in 2015 with the initial aim of supporting military veterans.[2] Since 2018, the activities of the organisation shifted away from its initially stated goals and towards anti-human trafficking activities on the Mexico–United States border.[2]

Philosophies of the organisation include nativism, Christian nationalism, and anti-government values.[1][2][4] Views shared by the group include antisemitic, anti-Mormon, anti-Catholic, anti-indigenous misinformation.[1] Members embrace QAnon conspiracy theories and vigilante activities.[2] In 2018, the group labelled a homeless encampment as a child sex-trafficking location.[5]

The group has over 70,000 followers of its Facebook page.[3]

References
  1. "Veterans on Patrol". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  2. Schmitz, Avery (2023-02-21). "Borderless Vigilantism: The Nativist US Militias Entering Mexico". Bellingcat. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  3. REIDY, E. Not in My Backyard. Mother Jones, [s. l.], v. 44, n. 3, p. 50–65, 2019. Disponível em: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=135706693&site=eds-live&scope=site . Acesso em: 22 fev. 2023.
  4. O'Neil, Tyler (2023-02-08). "Ocasio-Cortez Wants Border Patrol Cleansed of SPLC 'Hate Groups'". The Daily Signal. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  5. Zadrozny, Brandy; Collins, Ben (7 June 2018). "Arizona veterans group finds homeless camp — and fuels a new 'pizzagate'-style conspiracy". NBC News. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
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