Más de una docena de personas vinculadas a una milicia de extrema derecha fueron detenidas y acusadas de planear el secuestro y posible asesinato de la gobernadora de Michigan (EEUU), la demócrata Gretchen Whitmer, informaron este jueves las autoridades federales.
Un tribunal federal de Michigan acusó a seis personas formalmente este jueves de conspirar para cometer el secuestro de la gobernadora y de otros funcionarios, con lo que se enfrentan a una condena de cadena perpetua.
Paralelamente, el estado de Michigan imputó delitos relacionados con terrorismo a otro grupo de siete miembros de la milicia Wolverine Watchman, una organización con ideas ultraderechistas que fue infiltrada por el Buró Federal de Investigaciones (FBI).
Los miembros de la milicia habían adquirido armas, realizado vigilancias a la gobernadora en su domicilio y se habían entrenado para secuestrarla o asesinarla junto a otros miembros del gobierno estatal de Michigan antes de las elecciones del 3 de noviembre.
Según dijo en rueda de prensa la fiscal general de Michigan, Dana Nessel, los acusados pertenecían a la milicia Wolverine Watchman, tenían la intención de instigar una guerra civil en el país y se enfrentan a cargos relacionados con terrorismo y conspiración para cometer un secuestro.
El plan de los miembros de la milicia, que había sido infiltrada por informantes del FBI, era juzgarla por “traición” en un escondite en un lugar remoto de Wisconsin y no descartaban acabar con su vida. La gobernadora cobró especial protagonismo el pasado febrero, cuando dio la réplica al presidente Donald Trump en el debate sobre el estado de la Unión.
La gobernadora Whitmer compareció en la tarde de ayer para agradecer a los agentes “que arriesgaron su vida para defender” la de su familia. Whitmer criticó, sin nombrarlo, al presidente estadounidense, Donald Trump, por no haber rechazado de manera categórica la violencia de los grupos de ultraderecha durante los disturbios raciales que han sacudido todo el país y en los que algunas milicias han intervenido violentamente contra los manifestantes antiracistas.
“Cuando nuestros líderes se reúnen, envalentonan o fraternizan con terroristas domésticos, legitiman sus acciones y son cómplices”, aseguró la gobernadora en una declaración.
Cuando nuestros líderes se reúnen, envalentonan o fraternizan con terroristas domésticos, legitiman sus acciones y son cómplices
Más explícita fue la congresista demócrata Rashida Tlaib, de raíces palestinas, que recordó un tuit publicado por Trump el 17 de abril pasado que rezaba: ”¡Liberen a Michigan!”, supuestamente dirigido a militantes de extrema derecha que se oponían a las medidas de confinamiento y distanciamiento decididas por la gobernadora para contener el virus, y que habían ocasionado el cierre de la economía.
Preguntado si pensaba que el tuit de Trump animaba a milicias radicales como esta, el candidato presidencial demócrata Joe Biden, rival de Trump en las elecciones del 3 de noviembre, respondió afirmativamente. “Las palabras que pronuncia son importantes”, dijo el exvicepresidente, al tiempo que insistió en la amenaza que representan los supremacistas blancos para la seguridad del país.
Planes avanzados
El grupo al que pertenecían los detenidos nació este verano después de una reunión con más de una decena de personas en Ohio que tenían la intención de crear una milicia autosuficiente, según el diario local Detroit Free Press.
En julio, los imputados planearon secuestrar o matar a la gobernadora en su casa de vacaciones en la isla de Mackinac, en Michigan, ya que consideraron que para tomar el Capitolio del estado, algo que entraba en sus planes, requerían mas de 200 milicianos.
Los miembros del grupo intentaron procurarse mapas y planos de la vivienda de vacaciones de la gobernadora para ejecutar el plan este mes de octubre
La gobernadora Whitmer ha sido el objeto de críticas por parte de grupos conservadores y milicias de ultraderecha desde que decidió imponer el cierre de la actividad comercial y las aglomeraciones en el estado como medidas de contención de la pandemia de la Covid-19.
Grupos de milicianos armados decidieron protestar esta primavera ante el Capitolio del estado, sede del Legislativo, contra la gobernadora y contra lo que consideraban una violación de sus derechos constitucionales.
Al alza
En los últimos años, numerosos incidentes violentos han sido relacionado con grupos de milicias ciudadanas en Estados Unidos.
Los adherentes, que a menudo son hombres blancos, a veces blanden armas durante las protestas.
El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional advirtió esta semana en un informe anual que la supremacía blanca violenta era la “amenaza más persistente y letal” para EEUU.
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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 01: (This image has been converted to black and white.) Protestors march down Queen Street on June 01, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. The rally was organised in solidarity with protests across the United States follo...
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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 01: Protestors march down Queen Street on June 01, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. The rally was organised in solidarity with protests across the United States following the killing of an unarmed black man George Floy...
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VANCOUVER, BC - MAY 31: Thousands attend a protest against racism and police brutality at the Vancouver Art Gallery on May 31, 2020 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / A worker removes graffiti near the White House after a third night of violent protests over the death of George Floyd June 1, 2020, in Washington, DC. - Police fired tear gas outside the White House late Sunday as...
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 01: Protesters take part in a 'Black Lives Matter' demonstration on June 01, 2020 in London, England. Protests and riots continue across American following the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minn...
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People remove graffiti near the White House after a third night of violent protests over the death of George Floyd on June 1, 2020, in Washington, DC. - Police fired tear gas outside the White House late Sunday as anti-racism protestors again to...
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En redes: Protestas contra el racismo en EEUU