9 people in custody after hourslong armed standoff on I-95

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

WAKEFIELD, Mass. (AP) — An hourslong standoff with a group of heavily armed men that partially shut down Interstate 95 ended Saturday with nine suspects in custody, Massachusetts state police said.

Police said the suspects include two people who were arrested earlier on Saturday.

The standoff shut down a portion of I-95 for much of the morning, causing major traffic problems during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Authorities said the southbound interstate reopened, but northbound lanes remain closed.



This photo provided by Massachusetts State Police shows police blocking off a section of Interstate 95 near Wakefield, Mass., on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Police say a group of heavily-armed men refuse to comply with law enforcement officers following a traffic stop. Police say the men headed into a wooded area and two suspects were arrested a short time later. Officials were still trying to capture the others in the group ( Massachusetts State Police via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/armed-standoff-wakefield-massachusetts-9ee61b69ca96bb5ce212f56651f0dd11

[SouthBayDem]

1. Further down:

In a video posted to social media Saturday morning, a man who did not give his name, but said he was from a group called Rise of the Moors, broadcast from Interstate 95 in Wakefield near exit 57.

“We are not antigovernment. We are not anti-police, we are not sovereign citizens, we’re not Black identity extremists,” said the man who appeared to be wearing military-style equipment. “As specified multiple times to the police that we are abiding by the peaceful journey laws of the United States.”

The website for the group says they are “Moorish Americans dedicated to educating new Moors and influencing our Elders.”

Mason said he had no knowledge of the group, but it was not unusual for the state police to encounter people who have “sovereign citizen ideology,” although he did not know if the people involved in the Wakefield standoff was a part of that.

[Fritz Walter]

41. Someone should tell them to get a brain...

...because they -- along with their little friend here -- still don't know how to spell "morons."



It's not "Moors," just like it's not "Morans."

And wasn't the term "Moors" used by Xtian Europeans to describe the Muslim inhabitants of the Iberian peninsula? Or, could they possibly be referring to a tract of open, peaty wasteland? As in the line from the movie American Werewolf in London, "Boys, keep off the moors, stick to the roads"?

What? Are we dealing with heavily armored (but poorly endowed) werewolves now wandering around New England?

[EndlessWire]

55. Hahaha!! n/t

[DemocraticPatriot]

69. That movie is in my stack of DVDs "to watch again soon"! lol

I see a bad moon a-risin'

[LudwigPastorius]

56. I have to believe that if they were a bunch of heavily armed white dudes,...

the only reason the cops would have stopped them would have been to ask when the next militia meeting was and should they bring a covered dish.

[Marrah_Goodman]

68. The cop did not stop them

They were stopped on the side of the road and he.pulled over to offer assistance.

[Mopar151]

61. "Moorish Sovereign Citizens"

Co-opted a Moorish fraternal organization for logos, rhetoric, coo-cco-bannanas! "legend".

[Sapient Donkey]

65. When I first heard about this, I wasn't expecting that. This is a new one to me.

I'm guessing I'm not the only one.

[LakeArenal]

2. Armed stand offs. Holy crap.

[brooklynite]

3. Now 11 in custody...

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. training for what I' d like to know.

Adhering to some sect ideology, carrying loaded weapons, but somehow not able to plan for enough gas for the drive.

Guess there is more than one thing guns can't compensate for.

[llashram]

18. guess what

non-Moors are training in camps all over this country. We will see how many Idaho camps are raided. How many in Montana, N. Dakota, S. Dakota, Maine and only god knows how many more. What do I base this on, how many from different states invaded the Capitol on 1/6/21?

The "Moors" screwed up, black people on a highway at 2 am in the morning, emergency signals on. Ran out of gas? If true. Oh well escalating American divisions, hate, fear-based on race, class ect. All brought out in the open by TFG and his 'advisors', official and otherwise, domestic and international. Not the "Moors" fault. But black men with guns? They are screwed.

[dianaredwing]

43. Hate does not necessarily come in only one flavor

The Southern Poverty Law Center has been tracking these folks for years, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and even rocky road. More or more evident? No pun intended.

[llashram]

48. no it doesn't

yet...cause and relativity rank high in the hatred quotient. The escalation of fear and division among different cultures, races since Reagan has been an ongoing event. Let's hope our President and vice-President can heal a torn national blanket of diverse Americans. We/I must continue to put Rethugs in their place. Just one of the Party's that administer the affairs of this nation. Nothing more. The loudness of their noise is but a cacophony of ignorance and hate.

They want war, I want peace, yet if one brings war to me or my family war is what you will get. Told a trumper that recently. I left the hate in his eyes rather confused at his inability to intimidate. And other honest Americans had my senior back...

[JohnnyRingo]

19. After this they can skip firearms training

Even if they aren't found guilty of felonies, the guns they now have in possession are gone.

[RockRaven]

5. You can declare yourself not breaking the law all you like but ultimately it isn't your opinion that

matters, but that of a judge and jury.

Noncompliance with cops is a hell of a gamble -- if the judge and jury don't buy your argument that the cops instructions weren't legal, you've unwisely multiplied your trouble.

[2Gingersnaps]

29. Yeah, their ideology doesn't sound anymore strained or stupid

than Oath Keepers, Three Percenters, Proud Boys, or Boogaloo Boys-but I am guessing police won't be coordinating with them in Seattle, Portland, Milwaukee or DC.

[FailureToCommunicate]

6. Similar OP from early today...

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2764803

[PatSeg]

16. Thanks

I saw the earlier post and wondered if they were the same people.

[2Gingersnaps]

32. That is tragic, Maine is a beautiful State, and the area around Bangor is lovely....

but all those white folk in Maine do have a problem with people "from away." Funny for a summertime tourist State. They should probably hide their early teen daughters too. Authoritarian cultists are creepy.

[OriginalGeek]

67. lol that reminds me of the time

I used to work in Florida for a company that was based in Portland, ME. They sent me up one year to visit HQ (Along with other people from other places) and during the tour of the facility an old-timer said to me "Ah knew you wha' the Flahdah boyh bahcause you talk funneh"

[Croney]

7. I have to drive north on that road this afternoon.

Hope it will be moving again.

[bigworld]

8. Where the heck where they headed?

Training in Rhode Island?!?

[Karma13612]

45. They were on their way to training

In Maine.

[Warpy]

9. Just more armed to the teeth male LARPers

In a video posted to social media Saturday morning, a man who did not give his name, but said he was from a group called Rise of the Moors, broadcast from Interstate 95 in Wakefield near exit 57.

“We are not antigovernment. We are not anti-police, we are not sovereign citizens, we’re not Black identity extremists,” said the man who appeared to be wearing military-style equipment. “As specified multiple times to the police that we are abiding by the peaceful journey laws of the United States.”

You're also not from Morocco, buddy.

While I find it more understandable that a gang of black men would be armed and dangerous against the cops, it's still a gang and their choice of a hill to die on was beyond stupid.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

12. OP doesn't mention shots fired or injuries so presumably no literal deaths

I understand it's a metaphor though

So, these were African Americans, travelling in military-style gear and carrying guns?

If so ... interesting.

[Aristus]

10. They don't seem to "recognize" our laws.

it's a good thing our laws recognized them...

[Fla Dem]

11. Not sure I agree. He seems to know the law.

Unfortunately the situation escalated. Watch at least a few minutes of this video.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215587794

[getagrip_already]

13. escalated? lol, they were already going to jail......

All they did by fleeing was add felony evasion to their charges. They already could have been charged with multiple firearms charges. You can't have a loaded weapon in a passenger vehicle unless you have a concealed carry permit, and you are rquired to produce it and identify yourself when requested by law enforcement.

That's assuming they even had permits in MA for the guns they were traveling with.

As soon as the officer saw guns within reach, he/she had the right to investigate further.

They are not going to enjoy their court experience. Likely no bail since they are flight risks.

[cab67]

24. Not really.

They know how to use legal jargon, but the legal arguments themselves are bunkum.

[Devil Child]

15. Good smack down on a group of black-nationalist extremists

Sovereign citizen groups bring a certain type of kook no-matter the racial/ethnic background. Good riddance and extra laughs for the MA firearms felonies. Dumb-asses all-around.

Some additional info from the SPLC and this extremist group here.

[ancianita]

25. Thank you, this is helpful. SPLC's got so much info these days it's hard to keep up.

[JohnnyRingo]

17. That didn't take long. Too bad they aren't US citizens.

They'd be able to remain silent until they speak to an attorney and have on appointed to them at no cost to themselves. They'd have a right to a speedy trial and be innocent until proven guilty.

[pidge]

21. Non citizens also have those rights.

[JohnnyRingo]

52. Just my luck to find the DU lawyer.

haha

[mrsv]

20. Tourists

[packman]

22. Black men with GUNS!!!!

This will fast-track gun control

[ancianita]

26. Yep.

[sarisataka]

28. Would this be a good thing?

Getting gun control because of racism?

[FailureToCommunicate]

30. That worked in California in the 1960's.

?itok=M1BRdc_i

[sarisataka]

33. So is that a yes?

Racism is fine as long as we like the end result?

[FailureToCommunicate]

35. (Sorry, too tired today to get involved in any word fight.)

[sarisataka]

38. Fair enough

Rest up and have a great weekend

[FailureToCommunicate]

39. Thanks. It's raining and cold here in Boston. Good for resting. Bad if one had...

4th of July outdoor party plans. Alas.

Well, the beer will keep.

[packman]

31. For gun control, is anything too extreme?

I am a believer that had those idiots on 1/6 been armed and there was a true armed insurrectionist movement , we'd have some true gun control action today.

[sarisataka]

34. Yes

There are things that are too extreme.

[packman]

37. Patiently waiting for an example-

Keep in mind anything given is going to be compared to those slaughtered by guns and the grief, despair and anguish of those who loved them

[sarisataka]

40. One suggestion I received

Was to have the police and military do house to hose searches to confiscate guns. Anyone who objected or refused to cooperate would be dealt "with extreme prejudice". This was from a DU poster and was a PM, along with the advice that if I didn't want anything to happen to my family I should do what is right.

I would also say any law that is being passed because of the color of one's skin is too extreme. If a white person is able to enjoy the benefits of a right a black person should equally enjoy the same benefits without prejudice.

[wnylib]

54. +1000

The only time that race has any place in passing a law is laws against racism.

[leftieNanner]

42. I disagree

If Sandy Hook didn't do it, then January 6th (armed) wouldn't either.

I wish I were wrong about this.

[paleotn]

58. More like making a point.

[Turbineguy]

23. As if RWNJ white supremacist militias

need another excuse.

[hadEnuf]

27. A black militia group maybe?

Wouldn't be surprising. People are getting sick and tired of relying on potentially corrupted police and people in government to protect them from the likes of these white supremacist militia groups.

[FSogol]

51. No, they are a new form of sovereign citizens. Here's what the SPLC says:

Members of the Moorish sovereigns, called Moors, have come into conflict with federal and state authorities over their refusal to obey laws and government regulations. Recently, Moorish sovereign citizens have engaged in violent confrontations with law enforcement. They have also been known to retaliate against government authorities through financial means — a process called “paper terrorism.” Moorish sovereigns espouse an interpretation of sovereign doctrine that African Americans constitute an elite class within American society with special rights and privileges that convey on them a sovereign immunity placing them beyond federal and state authority.

snip

Moorish sovereign citizens espouse an antigovernment doctrine in which its members claim to be part of a sovereign nation. For some who identify themselves as “Moor,” “Moorish” or something similar, there is a belief that a 1787 treaty (fictitious) between the United States and Morocco grants them immunity from U.S. law. Others, such as the Washitaw Nation, may falsely claim to occupy United Nations Indigenous People’s Seat 215 — there is no such thing — and create their own birth certificates, passports, driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations.

snip

Moorish sovereigns sustain themselves by selling bogus legal documents, fraudulent auto insurance forms, fake license plates, counterfeit passports and various other documents. They also save money by practicing tax avoidance schemes or tax fraud. They have perpetrated large-scale financial fraud, including creating false money orders, fraudulent cashier’s checks, and bogus financial instruments. In some cases, their fraudulent activity is part of a larger sovereign practice called the “redemption doctrine.” It declares that Moors (like all sovereigns) can incorporate themselves, thereby allowing individuals to use themselves as personal assets worth tens of millions of dollars.

More at:

https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/moorish-sovereign-citizens

[ruet]

63. Sounds Like a New Form of Narrative is Emerging.

Couldn't call'em Trumpers. Denied traction on "if they were black they would have been killed instantly." Now we're going to get them on being sovereign citizens. I just saw an interview with a member of this group who says, "yeah that's not us". I'll tell you what's going to happen here. These guys are going to walk. They are going to sue and they are going to win. It's not illegal to own firearms in the US or play dress-up.

[SeattleVet]

44. 'They were just exercising their 2nd Amendment rights...'

said nobody over at Freeperville today.

[Demnation]

47. They don't recognize our laws but maybe they'll recognize the inside of our prisons.

[ruet]

64. And You Think They Actually Said That?

Or do you think it was pretext for the police to loose their shit? It's funny how, when fit for purpose, the word of the police is taken as gospel 'round these parts.

[AllyCat]

49. Idiots. Headed to the fight and forgot to put gas in their cars.

[3Hotdogs]

50. A couple of these bozos took over a house in Newark, N.J. That was a couple of weeks ago.

It seems the Moors are rightful owners of all land in what we trespassers call, North -sorry, no caps... north america.

[Quakerfriend]

53. My experience at a Moorish market

A bit Off topic -
Three years ago I accidentally stumbled into an outdoor market in Portugal run by a bunch of Moorish gypsies. Some cooked meat over wood in large clay ovens. Others sold vegetables, fruits and a wide variety of cheeses. There seemed to be filth everywhere. The people were dirt poor and mostly barefoot. There was dancing and singing going in one corner while some of the women bickered loudly with each other in another.

I couldn’t wait to get out of there!

We bought some sheep cheese and a couple oranges for next to nothing.
They were the most delicious I’ve ever had!

[oasis]

57. Will Killer Mike offer to pay their legal fees?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

59. Up to 11 people now

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/11-people-in-custody-after-hourslong-armed-standoff-on-i-95/ar-AALJsbT?li=BBnb7Kz

[spike jones]

60. George and the Bubble Boy and the Moors

[link:

|

[BigmanPigman]

62. I was thinking "It's not Moors, it's Moops" the whole time I read

the OP. That episode was on a rerun last night, in fact. Synchronicity.

[twodogsbarking]

66. Will there ever be sensible discussions about guns?

Nope.