Officers declare Dr. Malcolm Tanner is “trying to overthrow the federal government.”
In 2023, Dr. Malcolm Tanner introduced his intent to create a settlement for Black Individuals in Texas. Now, state officers have issued a Short-term Restraining Order (TRO) in opposition to the Indiana resident, claiming that Tanner is “trying to overthrow the federal government.”
Tanner is the founding father of Melanated Folks of Energy. His plan to create a melanated group consists of transferring Black households to Loving County, Texas, with the promise of free houses, monetary stipends, and in the end political affect.
Tanner has bought 5 acres of land in Loving County in an space with lower than 100 residents. The land doesn’t but host any everlasting houses; as a substitute, it options RVs, tents, and mills.
Texas Lawyer Normal Ken Paxton sought a TRO to cease the event of the group.
In accordance with the authorized filings, the encampment is in direct violation of the state’s well being code because of the “lack of sewer entry, septic methods, working water, and restricted electrical energy.”
Tanner responded in a message posted to his TikTok web page, claiming that his endeavors are righteous and that the land is being unjustly stolen from the individuals.
“I got here to Loving County with a easy imaginative and prescient: to construct houses, to construct group, and to dwell beneath the rights that religion grants and the Structure protects,” Tanner wrote in a message he confirmed on the platform. “I believed, as each American has the best to consider, that land bought lawfully could possibly be used lawfully, that households may dwell in peace, and that kids may develop in security. As an alternative, what we constructed was destroyed. What we labored for was attacked.”
@dr_malcolmtanner
I, Dr. Malcolm Tanner, need the individuals of Texas and this nation to know that I respect the authority of the Court docket and can absolutely adjust to its orders. On the similar time, I would like the individuals of Loving County, of Texas, of America, and of the world to grasp what’s at stake right here. We live in a second that can be remembered. It’s not merely about one man or one household, and even about one piece of land. It’s about whether or not the rights promised to us as Individuals are actual — or whether or not they are often trampled by intimidation, harassment, and worry. I got here to Loving County with a easy imaginative and prescient: to construct houses, to construct group, and to dwell beneath the rights that religion grants and the Structure protects. I believed, as each American has the best to consider, that land bought lawfully could possibly be used lawfully, that households may dwell in peace, and that kids may develop in security. As an alternative, what we constructed was destroyed. What we labored for was attacked. And nonetheless, we didn’t give up. For when the partitions had been torn down, we rebuilt them. When the doorways had been damaged, we set them again on their hinges. We held on as a result of this battle is larger than wooden and nails. It’s about whether or not freedom in America is protected for all individuals — Black or White, Christian or Jewish, wealthy or poor — or whether or not freedom is reserved just for the few who maintain energy. We don’t stand right here in defiance of the legislation. We stand right here in protection of the legislation — the best legislation, the legislation of liberty. Our Structure was written in order that households couldn’t be pushed out by threats, that houses couldn’t be torn down by drive, that individuals couldn’t be silenced after they sought justice. I would like the world to know: this land is greater than dust and stone. It’s a take a look at of America’s promise. Will the federal government defend the rights of its residents, or will it permit harassment to crush them? Will we show that the smallest populated county in Texas can nonetheless honor the biggest ideas of our Republic? I’m not alone on this. Beside me stand girls and kids who deserve security. Beside me stand households who consider in freedom. And past us stand hundreds of thousands of Individuals — of each race, each religion, each background — who know that an assault on one individual’s rights is an assault on the rights of us all. We’re preserving each shred of proof — each act of destruction, each trespass, each intimidation. It is going to be laid earlier than the Court docket, and, if essential, earlier than the correct authorities, as a result of justice should not solely be sought — it should be proved. We won’t reply hatred. We won’t meet destruction. We are going to meet it with perseverance, with braveness, and with the reality. And we’ll maintain on till justice comes — for justice is the inheritance of each American. Historical past will file this battle. And when it does, let it’s mentioned that in Loving County, within the 12 months 2025, when households had been harassed and houses had been destroyed, we didn’t bow, we didn’t run, and we didn’t hand over. We stood. And by standing, we reminded the world that freedom in America is just not granted by males, however strengthened by religion and secured by the Structure. Dr. Malcolm Tanner #drmalcolmtanner
♬ unique sound – dr_malcolmtanner
On account of a number of residents of the “melanated group” registering to vote utilizing a typical P.O. Field related to the property; a voter fraud inquiry could also be on the horizon.
On Oct. 3, two Texas state politicians, Senator Kevin Sparks and Rep. Brooks Landgraf, wrote an open letter urging the Texas Lawyer Normal and the Secretary of State to look into Loving County voter irregularities.
“Indiana resident Malcolm Tanner has no proper to attempt to take over Loving County with unlawful schemes that endanger actual Texans,” Paxton mentioned in a press launch. “His misleading and illegal scheme to lure individuals with free housing for the aim of conducting a political takeover is a disgustingly fraudulent plot to line his personal pockets.”
Tanner, who continues to encourage his social media followers to “be a part of the motion” and by no means pay lease once more, has defended his initiative as a type of self-empowerment and self-determined placemaking.
“We’re going to construct y’all a house,” he mentioned in a TikTok publish. “When you’re able to get a house with me out in Texas, come out to Loving County, Texas.”
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