The viral video clip shows a couple from Drôme refusing a police checkpoint, claiming that the gendarmes belong to a “private society”. The couple, Pierre and Laëtitia, argue that they no longer belong to the French Republic since 1948, and that the gendarmes are registered in Washington DC as mercenaries on French territory. Their arguments seem surreal, as they insist that the road where they were pulled over is a private road and that they do not contract with a private society. The video, shared by influencer Vincent Flibustier, has garnered around nine million views, sparking mockery.
These “sovereign beings” constitute a marginal yet concerning societal phenomenon. This anti-system community views itself as exempt from national laws and obligations, potentially engaging in illegal and violent activities, as warned by the American NGO Southern Poverty Law Center. In France, the movement consists of a few tens of thousands of people, with Telegram channels like “fraude du nom légal” having 20,000 subscribers and Common Law Court with 3,000 subscribers. These channels promote beliefs in a common law tribunal and a denial of the legitimacy of the state.
The conspiracy theory movement, akin to extreme right-wing anarchism, originated in the US in the 1970s. It is a blend of anti-federalism, tax resistance, conspiracy theories, and pseudolaw – the adherence to legal norms perceived as superior to existing laws. Central to this belief is the idea that states have no real legal existence and are private companies registered in Washington. The theory posits that individuals are registered as “trusts” at birth without consent, becoming the property of the “State” as a corporation, leading to discussions of “name fraud” in their circles.
The theory of the state being a private company and individuals being registered as property without consent is at the core of the beliefs of this movement. The concept that individuals are essentially born as corporations owned by the state, without their knowledge or consent, fuels their anti-establishment and anti-authoritarian views. They reject the legitimacy of government institutions and laws, asserting their own interpretations of legal principles and codes to justify their actions. This mindset has led some members of this movement to engage in activities viewed as illegal or extremist by mainstream society.
The growth of this movement presents challenges for law enforcement and authorities, as individuals who identify as sovereign beings may refuse to comply with legal requirements, leading to potentially dangerous situations. The rejection of established legal systems and authorities, in favor of self-proclaimed legal interpretations, creates a volatile environment where conflicts and confrontations can arise. As such, it is crucial for law enforcement agencies and officials to be aware of such movements and their ideologies to effectively address any potential threats to public safety and the rule of law.
