Police and National Guard units seeking to confiscate a cache of
recently banned assault weapons were ambushed Sunday by elements of a
para-military right wing extremist faction. Military and law enforcement
sources estimate that 72 were killed and more than 200 injured before
government forces were compelled to withdraw.
Speaking after the clash, Massachusetts Governor Thomas Gage declared
that the extremist militia faction has citizens who have links to the
radical right wing tax protest movement. Gage blamed the militia for
recent incidents of vandalism directed against internal revenue offices.
The governor, who described the group’s organizers as “terrorists,”
issued an executive order authorizing the summary arrest of any
individual who has interfered with the government's efforts to secure law
and order. The law enforcement team, augmented by elements of the
National Guard, were sent to raid a militia arsenal after widespread
refusal of right wing extremists to turn over recently outlawed assault
weapons. This decision followed a meeting in early July between
government and law enforcement which authorized the confiscation of the
illegal arms, known as the weapons of choice among criminals and
militias.
One government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, pointed
out “that none of these people would have been killed had right wing
extremists obeyed the law and turned over the weapons voluntarily.”
Police and government forces initially succeeded in confiscating a
large supply of outlawed weapons and ammunition. However, troops
attempting to seize arms and ammunition in Lexington met with resistance
from heavily armed militia extremists who had been tipped off regarding
the government’s plans.
During a tense stand-off in Lexington ‘s town park, National Guard
Colonel Francis Smith, commander of the government operation, ordered
the armed group to surrender and return to their homes. The impasse was
broken by a single shot, which was reportedly fired by one of the right
wing extremists. Eight civilians were killed in the ensuing exchange.
Ironically, the local citizens blamed the government forces rather
than the extremists for the civilian deaths. Before order could be
restored, heavily armed militia groups from surrounding areas had
descended upon the police and guard units. Colonel Smith, finding his
forces over matched by militia mobs, ordered a retreat.
Governor Gage has called upon citizens to support the state/national
joint task force in its effort to restore law and order. The governor
has also demanded the surrender of those responsible for planning and
leading the attack against the government. Samuel Adams, Paul Revere,
and John Hancock, who have been identified as “ringleaders” of the
extremist militia faction remain at large.
No, that did NOT just happen.
Thanks Claudio!
