Militia Plans For Barbecue Saturday

Event To Be Held At Park In Livingston County

DETROIT – Members of the Hutaree militia remain behind bars, but another militia said it hopes to get attention with its annual barbecue Saturday.

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Lee Miracle of the Southeastern Michigan Volunteer Militia said the rally is meant to show the public that the group is not dangerous and also that it has nothing to do with the Hutaree.

"A lot of people think of the militia as these grim-faced prophets of doom who lurk in their basement waiting for the apocalypse," Miracle said. "We're going to be out there having a barbecue."

The Sterling Heights husband and father spent most of Friday baking cupcakes and preparing pulled-pork sandwiches. He said he's also preparing for questions about his group and their differences from the Hutaree.

"We weren't arrested; no one was picked up. The fact is that there's 40 militia groups in Michigan, thereabouts, and zero of them came to help the Hutarees," Miracle said.

Nine members of the self-proclaimed Christian militia the Hutaree were taken into federal custody last month and have been charged with conspiring to kill a police officer and then use bombs at his funeral to kill more officers.

According to federal documents. Hutaree members had been undergoing paramilitary training, including learning how to shoot guns and make bombs, since 2008.

Authorities seized guns in recent raids in Adrian, Mich., but would not say whether they found explosives.

Hutaree said on its Web site its name means "Christian warrior." The group quotes several Bible passages and declares: "We believe that one day, as prophecy says, there will be an Anti-Christ. ... Jesus wanted us to be ready to defend ourselves using the sword and stay alive using equipment."

Miracle said his militia doesn't have a lot in common with the Hutaree.

"We really don't mix the religion in," he said.

The barbecue will be held at Island Lake recreation park in Livingston County and will include a firing range for all ages. Miracle said anyone with a legal weapon permit is welcomed to exercise his or her right to wear it in a holster.

"If someone tries to get my pulled-pork sandwich, I might just have to reach for it," Miracle said, joking about whether he would be wearing his gun.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

About:Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia.