Some of the tens of thousands of people in the Netherlands, who believe in the concept of an “evil elite” and refuse to recognise the state or the rule of law, are prepared to use violence, the Dutch counter terrorism unit NCTV warned on Tuesday. The warning comes in a new analysis of the phenomenon by the NCTV, police and homeland security service AIVD. The analysis says that arms have been found in the homes of some people who consider...

Some of the tens of thousands of people in the Netherlands, who believe in the concept of an “evil elite” and refuse to recognise the state or the rule of law, are prepared to use violence, the Dutch counter terrorism unit NCTV warned on Tuesday.

The warning comes in a new analysis of the phenomenon by the NCTV, police and homeland security service AIVD.

    • perishthethought@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      0·
      6 months ago

      For the folks down voting me, please help me understand the essential difference between these people and anarchists.

      To me, it seems these “sovereign citizens” don’t want to live under any government, and seem to be an extreme version of libertarians (as we call them here in the US). I understand other anarchists might beg to differ with some of their stances (or all, I don’t know) but in general terms, how are they different?

      • SMillerNL@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        6 months ago

        In my basic understanding they’re apples and pears. Anarchism is a philosophy and refuses all hierarchy. These people just believe the current government is a bunch of reptiles abducting children but as soon as they overthrow it and install their government all problems will be fixed.

      • AggressivelyPassive@feddit.deEnglish
        0·
        6 months ago

        Anarchy doesn’t mean lack of responsibility. Sovereign citizens are the epitome of american thinking. I myself am the most important person and nothing else matters as long as I get what I want.