Knights Templar International
The Knights Templar International claims to be a London-based 'religious organisation' [1] and supports a Bulgarian armed militia that reportedly hunts and attacks refugees crossing into Europe.
Contents
Activities
Parliamentary lobbying
On their website, they claim to 'hold top level diplomatic meetings in Parliaments, Governors offices, Bishops palaces and corporate HQ’s almost every day of the week worldwide to make sure our agenda, your agenda, the agenda of Christ is presented to those who make the decisions that affect millions across the planet.' However, are 'noted for [their] discretion and secrecy', so:
- 'Sadly we can only report on a fraction of our missions as we routinely are asked to remain silent on the meeting we host or participate in and as Templars we guard our solid reputation for discretion with a fierce rigour.'
Bulgarian 'border patrols'
The organisation appears to have funded an armed Bulgarian militia to 'patrol' their border and prevent migrants from coming into the country by force [2]. The Facebook page seems to have been used to fundraise for 'material and surveillance material' which has been sent to ‘Bulgarian volunteers’[3].
Promotional video
On their website, their promotional video used to recruit new members states their ideology clearly: the organisation believes that Christendom and Western Civilisation are in mortal danger, and can only be saved 'by dedicated militancy in the demonic teeth of evil'. The video also explains their internal organisation and 'iron' hierarchy. The organisation seems to be only open to cisgender men. [4]
The promotional video clearly attempts to prove that members of this organisation are not racist or hateful in anyway. However, Tell MAMA reported in November 2016 that their Facebook page had published racial demographic theories and anti-semitic conspiracy theories.[3].
Prominent members
Former Britain First leader Jim Dowson
According to the Express newspaper, former BNP and Britain First co-founder Jim Dowson joined the group in October 2016 and was also spearheading efforts to connect the heavily armed group with large right-wing donors in Europe, America and Asia. In a youtube video filmed in a forest, Dowson said the Bulgarian border was a frontline in the battle against refugee 'invaders' who he claimed 'want to take over the world'. [5]
Contact
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/knightstemplarint/ - Has over 400,000 likes as of December 2016, 'including from prominent ex-politicians'. Every few hours, they '[post] up pictures of armour, Crusader imagery and swords'. [3]
- Website: http://knightstemplarinternational.com - publishes regular articles and has an online store where it sells merchandise.
Publications
The organisation has a quarterly Crusader Magazine, 'with the latest news from the Order, our missions we undertake and the latest updates from situations around the world.' [6]
Affiliations
References
- ↑ Knights Templar International Facebook page, accessed 08 December 2016.
- ↑ Knights Templar International: BULGARIAN BORDER PATROLS – THE TRUTH, Knights Templar International, accessed 08 December 2016.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Knights Templar International Facebook Page & Web-Site Are Extremely Concerning, Tell MAMA, 28 November 2016, accessed 08 December 2016.
- ↑ Knight Templars – who we are and why YOU should join [video], Editing Knights Templar International, accessed 08 December 2016.
- ↑ Oli Smith, Britain First founder joins Bulgarian militia to hunt down and attack Muslim refugees, Express, 31 October 2016. Accessed 07 November 2016.
- ↑ Knights Templar International: Crusader Magazine, Knights Templar International, accessed 08 December 2016.
