Plot to assassinate Obama and 'shoot or decapitate 102 black people' disrupted
Monday, 27 October 2008
This photo of Daniel Cowart, 20, from Tennessee, was posted on MySpace. He is one of two neo-Nazis arrested over a plot to assassinate Barack Obama
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The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms says that it has stopped a plot to assassinate Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and kill 102 black people.
The plot included plans to shoot 88 black people and decapitate another 14 in a Tennessee murder spree.
In court records unsealed today agents said they disrupted plans by two neo-Nazi skinheads to rob a gun store and target a predominantly African-American high school.
The two men - Daniel Cowart, 20, of Bells, Tennessee, and Paul Schlesselman, 18, of West Helena, Arkansas, were arrested last Wednesday by the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office. They vowed that they would be willing to die during the attempt, federal documents revealed.
It is reported that Coward and Schlesselman met on the internet about about a month ago and shared their interest in “White Power” and “Skinhead” philosophy, according to federal court documents.
Agents seized a rifle, a sawn-off shotgun and three pistols from the men when they were arrested and US authorities alleged the two men were preparing to break into a gun shop to steal more.
The court records say Cowart and Schlesselman also bought nylon rope and ski masks.
For the Obama plot, the court documents revealed that Cowart and Schlesselman "planned to drive their vehicle as fast as they could toward Obama shooting at him from the windows."
"Both individuals stated they would dress in all white tuxedos and wear top hats during the assassination attempt," the court complaint states.
Jim Cavanaugh, special agent in charge of the Nashville field office for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said that Obama was to be the final target.
"They said that would be their last, final act — that they would attempt to kill Sen. Obama," Cavanaugh said. "They didn't believe they would be able to do it, but that they would get killed trying. It is critical that the alleged plot was interrupted."
Cowart and Schlesselman are being held without bail.
They are charged with possessing an unregistered firearm, conspiring to steal firearms from a federally-licensed gun dealer, and threatening a candidate for president.
The investigation is continuing and more charges are possible, Mr Cavanaugh added.
An Obama campaign spokeswoman travelling with the senator in Pennsylvania had no immediate comment.
Symbolism
The plot involved a plan to shoot 88 black people and decapitate another 14. The numbers 14 and 88 are symbolic in skinhead culture.
88 refers to the eighth letter of the alphabet, H, twice, standing for "Heil Hitler". The number 14 refers to a 14-word phrase attributed to an imprisoned white supremacist: "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."
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God has his hands on Obama and what God has for him will be his and no racist, malicious skinheads can deny him of that so they can try all they want, but they WILL fail. With the election of Obama maybe the "United States" can finally become just that united- one nation under God!!!!
Posted by Angie | 30.10.08, 05:23 GMT
These people would never get near him. As we know from a past assasination it was from somewhere in the goverment. The JFK execution was a well organised attack!!! This baloney about two young men with no organisation or backing is just hype!!! Are they sure they were going to kill 102 Obama's or was it 103???
Posted by morgan ritchley | 28.10.08, 11:02 GMT
Unfortunately, things like this may occur more often if Obama is elected. You'll have the nuts in our government and those among our population looking to "get back" at the red-staters for electing Bush through less tolerance and eroding rights. You'll have these racists acting out just because they're intolerant of one's race.
All in all though i'm less concerned about these once-in-a-while racists and more about the power-hungry that will get into the white house under Obama, We'll have to wait and see and then regret the loss of our nation's identity as being free if Obama is elected.
Posted by ron | 28.10.08, 05:40 GMT
I am surprised that Obama has survived for so long. In the US there is great hatred for black clever people amongst certain other cultures not just the white. So don't be surprised if another attempt (or should I say a few attempts) are made on his life. There are some stupid people out there.
Posted by rayan | 28.10.08, 03:22 GMT
It just goes to show that there are still a**holes that have no life, so they have to get off by hurting someone else. Maybe if they knew how to really read and write they would be smart enough to get a life.
Posted by Pat, Brooklyn | 27.10.08, 23:40 GMT
It ugly and suprising that after the defeat of Nazism in a dream that never really was accomplished, the remnants of Hitlerism resurrected in a country like America. But this message be clear and loud should anything happen wrong to Obama the World will pay price for period of generation.
Posted by Samsol | 27.10.08, 21:38 GMT
I don't even know what to say, this is completely shameful. What is this, a third-world country?
Posted by Georgia | 27.10.08, 21:13 GMT
This makes me absolutely sick to my stomach. To plot to use decapitation as terror by Americans on Americans? I feel completely ill.
Let's just pray this is as worse as it gets. But in reality, we are expecting more of the same after the elections, if God willing, Obama wins.
Posted by Shawn | 27.10.08, 21:10 GMT
Your right Junior and quite a few are in NI!
Posted by robbo | 27.10.08, 21:03 GMT
Apparently, not all of the terrorists are in the Middle East.
Posted by Junior | 27.10.08, 20:44 GMT