The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating whether a Dallas state trooper had anti-government extremist stickers on his state vehicle.
A photo was circulated of a “Three Percenters” sticker on the officer’s rear window. online The photo first became public this week after it was posted to Reddit, with social media users saying they took the picture near Royal Lane and the Dallas North Tollway.
“I’m shocked to see a police officer wearing a sticker indicating affiliation to any group, especially one that countries classify as extremist or terrorist,” wrote a Reddit user.
Email on Wednesday Dallas Morning NewsA Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman confirmed the department is investigating the incident.
“The photograph you refer to has been reported to police and the Office of the Police Inspector General has opened an investigation,” spokesperson Sheridan Nolen wrote. “As this is an ongoing investigation, no further details are available at this time.”
The Reddit user did not respond to messages on Wednesday. Dallas Morning News. news The Reddit user’s story could not be verified.
The Three Percenters refers to a far-right, pro-anti-government militia movement based on the myth that only 3% of the American colonies fought against the British in the War for Independence. Authorities say it is not a single group, but a shared belief that a small but determined force of armed citizens can overthrow the government. Many independence militias have incorporated this into their names.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks extremist groups, Three Percenters sometimes indicate their affiliation by holding up three fingers in an OK sign, and they also wear tattoos, clothing and stickers featuring the Three Percent symbol.
Members of the movement were convicted of plotting to kidnap and hold hostage Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, reportedly hatching the plan in opposition to public health measures she implemented early in the COVID-19 pandemic and to push the country toward civil war ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
Several members of the group, including at least one from North Texas, have been convicted for their roles in the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
