Jon Ritzheimer
| Jon Ritzheimer | |
|---|---|
Jon Ritzheimer pictured in 2015
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| Born |
Jon Eric Ritzheimer October 31, 1983 |
| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Organization | 3 Percenters, Oath Keepers |
| Known for | Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge |
| Home town | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Children | 2 |
Jon Eric Ritzheimer (born October 31, 1983) is an American political activist affiliated with the 3 Percenters and formerly associated with the Oath Keepers group. He has used social media to declare his opposition to Islam and the Bureau of Land Management.
A former United States Marine and veteran of the Iraq War, Ritzheimer grew up in Lakeside, California. While serving in Iraq he received a certificate of commendation for engaging three suspected insurgents in 2005. According to Ritzheimer, he was discharged from the Marine Corps for violating its tattoo policy.
Ritzheimer first attracted national attention in May 2015 when he began pacing in front of a mosque near his residence in Phoenix, Arizona wearing a T-shirt that had "Fuck Islam" imprinted on it. Later that month, he organized what media characterized as an "anti-Muslim protest" outside the mosque that drew 250 people. During an interview on CNN about the protest, Ritzheimer compared himself to the signers of the United States Declaration of Independence. He later started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $10 million which would be used, he said, to either finance his life in hiding (he had earlier alleged "they're calling for lone wolves to come and behead me") or to challenge John McCain for United States Senate.
In June 2015, Ritzheimer posted a video to his Facebook page. In the video, in which he appeared shirtless, Ritzheimer claimed "hackers have ruined my life", alleging that he was a victim of identity theft by persons who had publicly exposed his social security number and credit card information. He went on to explain that he was also suffering from malnutrition and that his earlier wearing of the "Fuck Islam" t-shirt was "distasteful" and "stupid."
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Wikipedia