Founding and Early Years (1993–1998)
In 1993, Will Christensen, Wayne Hill, and John Poulson based the Unbiased American Get together in Utah, impressed by Ezra Taft Benson’s 1968 speech, The Correct Function of Authorities, delivered at Brigham Younger College. Benson’s 15 Rules of Liberty and Good Authorities—emphasizing restricted authorities, particular person rights, and a Judeo-Christian heritage—shaped the bedrock of the get together’s mission to revive America’s constitutional foundations. Initially a state get together, it grew to become the Utah affiliate of the American Get together in 1995. In 1998, members voted overwhelmingly (90%) to ascertain the Nationwide Unbiased American Get together, increasing its advocacy for all times, liberty, property, and nationwide sovereignty nationwide.
Political Achievements and Classes Realized (1998–2021)
For 25 years, the Nationwide Unbiased American Get together championed constitutional ideas, attaining vital milestones that formed its legacy and knowledgeable its evolution. All through this era, the get together persistently prioritized ideas over get together loyalty, advocating for constitutional governance and particular person rights. This dedication to precept, moderately than partisan achieve, was a defining attribute that set the get together aside and laid the inspiration for its transformation into the Unbiased American Patriots Non-public Membership Affiliation (PMA).
In Utah, the get together fielded 19 candidates within the 2014 elections, with Leslie D. Curtis incomes 4.2% of the vote in Cache County for the state Legal professional Common race, demonstrating its capacity to affect discourse in a Republican-dominated state (Cache County 2014 Common Election Outcomes). By 2023, the Utah affiliate had grown to over 80,000 registered members, reflecting its attraction amongst voters searching for a substitute for mainstream events (Utah Unbiased American Get together – Wikipedia).
Nationally, the get together gained visibility via presidential campaigns. In 2012, founder Will Christensen ran as a write-in candidate, securing over 4,000 votes, together with 4,432 in Oregon (2012 United States Presidential Election – Wikipedia). In 2016, actor Rocky Giordani appeared on ballots in New Mexico, Oregon, and Utah, incomes 2,752 votes in Utah (Third-party Candidates 2016 – Wikipedia). These efforts highlighted the get together’s dedication to elevating consciousness of constitutional points, even in a difficult political panorama.
The Unbiased American Get together of Nevada, a separate entity based in 1967 and affiliated with the Structure Get together since 1999, operated independently and influenced the veto of 75 payments in 2023, showcasing the broader impression of the Unbiased American motion (Unbiased American Get together of Nevada – Wikipedia).
The get together’s 25-year journey taught important classes about resilience, grassroots engagement, and the restrictions of get together politics. It discovered that sustained member involvement and clear communication had been important for development, whereas navigating a polarized political system usually diluted its message. These insights knowledgeable the choice to pursue a brand new path, specializing in direct neighborhood motion moderately than electoral competitors, culminating within the formation of the IAP PMA.
Challenges Publish-2021
The passing of founders Will Christensen and Wayne Hill in 2021, inside 30 days of one another, marked a turning level for the Nationwide Unbiased American Get together (Utah Unbiased American Get together – Wikipedia). The Utah affiliate was out of compliance with state laws and legally defunct, whereas state events in Washington, Texas, Rhode Island, and elsewhere lacked path (Minutes, April 17, 2025). The nationwide get together had not filed correct required Federal Election Fee (FEC) reviews for years, and correct minutes weren’t maintained, with solely agendas preserving the file of Govt Committee actions (Minutes, March 25, 2021). In February 2023, Lonny Ray Williams was elected Nationwide Chair, inheriting a corporation with vital monetary and authorized challenges (Minutes, February 18, 2024). Efforts to trademark the “Unbiased American Get together” identify had been blocked by the Nevada affiliate’s prior declare, which, because the oldest state get together, was unwilling to barter (Minutes, April 20, 2023). These obstacles, mixed with a recognition that get together politics usually hindered principled motion, prompted a reevaluation of the group’s path.
The challenges confronted after 2021 underscored the restrictions of working throughout the get together system. These difficulties bolstered the group’s perception that true independence and efficient motion require shifting past conventional get together constructions, resulting in the choice to reform into a personal membership affiliation.
Resolution to Reform (2023)
On July 4, 2023, the remaining members and elected nationwide management of the Nationwide Unbiased American Get together voted unanimously to dissolve the get together’s present committees and reform into the Unbiased American Patriots Non-public Membership Affiliation (PMA) (Minutes, July 4, 2023). This resolution was pushed by a need to maneuver past the constraints of get together politics, impressed by George Washington’s Farewell Handle, which warned in opposition to the divisive nature of political events, and the Matrix of Liberty from the Nationwide Monument to the Forefathers, symbolizing religion and freedom (Unbiased American Patriots About). The PMA construction, protected by First Modification rights as affirmed by Thomas v. Collins (323 U.S. 516, 1945), enabled a deal with community-driven initiatives.
In his Farewell Handle, George Washington cautioned, “the alternate domination of 1 get together over one other and coinciding efforts to precise revenge upon their opponents have led to horrible atrocities, and is itself a frightful despotism. However this leads at size to a extra formal and everlasting despotism” (Washington’s Farewell Handle). The IAP PMA heeded this warning, selecting to function outdoors the get together system to keep away from such pitfalls and deal with constructing resilient communities based mostly on shared values.
The reformation was a pure evolution of the group’s id because the “anti-party get together.” After years of advocating for principled governance outdoors conventional get together constructions, members selected to embody these beliefs by residing as unbiased American patriots, impressed by the founding fathers—retailers, craftsmen, farmers, homesteaders, artisans, and on a regular basis folks. They embraced the idea that true independence means being free from get together affiliations and standing firmly on ideas of liberty, self-governance, and neighborhood resilience. As Lonny Ray Williams acknowledged, “If you find yourself an Unbiased American Patriot, you’ll be able to vote for an individual of precept and neglect concerning the get together” (X Publish, December 29, 2024). He additional famous, “That’s why we gave up Nationwide Get together standing on the Unbiased American Get together. The sport is rigged and Independents operating and not using a get together is the place we must be to repair it” (X Publish, February 18, 2024).
Transition Course of (2023–2025)
The transition to the Unbiased American Patriots PMA was a fastidiously deliberate course of, reflecting the group’s dedication to its ideas and its members. Key milestones embody:
April 20, 2023: The Govt Committee adopted Advert Hoc standing, exempting the group from authorities management and setting the stage for the PMA construction (Minutes, April 20, 2023).
July 4, 2023: Members voted to reform into the IAP PMA and introduced the change publicly, marking the beginning of the transition (Minutes, July 4, 2023).
July 25, 2023: The Nationwide Unbiased American Get together filed its termination report with the Federal Election Fee (FEC), formally ending its standing as a political committee (Committee ID: C00337519). This motion, led by Treasurer Hans Andersen, resolved excellent non-compliance points, corresponding to unfiled FEC reviews, making certain a clear break from the previous construction and paving the way in which for the PMA (FEC Picture 202307259584032882).
June 27, 2024: A particular assembly formalized the dissociation from the Nationwide Unbiased American Get together, with the group absolutely committing to the PMA mannequin (Minutes, June 27, 2024).
July 4, 2024: The reorganization was accomplished, and new management roles had been adopted to help the PMA’s mission (Minutes, July 4, 2024).
June 26, 2025: The governing paperwork—Articles of Affiliation, Membership Settlement, Constitution of Rights, Bylaws, Ordinances, & Expectances (CRBOE)—had been finalized (Minutes, June 26, 2025).
July 10, 2025: Members ratified the governing paperwork throughout a particular conference, solidifying the PMA’s construction and operational framework (Minutes, July 10, 2025).
The transition was guided by a dedication to transparency, accountability, and member empowerment. The submitting of the termination report on July 25, 2023, was a pivotal second, resolving non-compliance points and permitting the group to totally dedicate itself to constructing resilient communities via non-public affiliation. This transfer was each a sensible necessity and a strategic option to align with the group’s core values of independence and self-sufficiency.
Contributions of Key Members
The reformation was a collective effort, with key members enjoying important roles in preserving the group’s legacy and shaping its future:
Lonny Ray Williams: As Nationwide Chair and later President, he offered visionary management, emphasizing member empowerment and neighborhood motion. His deal with decentralizing energy ensured that the PMA prioritized the contributions of all members (Minutes, Could 25, 2023).
Leslie Brooke Williams: As Presiding Secretary, she was the executive cornerstone, meticulously documenting the transition, managing communications, and making certain transparency via membership and monetary reporting (Minutes, April 18, 2023).
Leo Lindquist: As Midwest Regional Coordinator and Vice Chairman a key Govt Committee member, he contributed strategic insights, led the Platform/Workgroup to develop instructional content material, and offered technical help for digital conferences (Minutes, September 28, 2023).
Cathy McDonald: Was Western Regional Coordinator and one other important Vice Chairwoman and Govt Committee member that performed a vital function within the early levels, advocating for community-focused initiatives and seconding key motions earlier than stepping again in June 2024 because of the demanding transition (Minutes, June 27, 2024).
Hans Andersen: As Treasurer, he facilitated the closure and closing chapter of the nationwide get together’s FEC information on July 25, 2023, making certain compliance and a easy transition to the PMA (Minutes, July 13, 2023; FEC Picture 202307259584032882).
These people, alongside numerous members, honored the legacy of Will Christensen, whose thumb drive of minutes, notes, and information had been offered to us by his household and served as a guiding gentle for the reformation (Minutes, April 17, 2025).
Imaginative and prescient and Construction of the IAP PMA
The Unbiased American Patriots PMA is a vibrant, member-driven neighborhood devoted to supporting principled people via grassroots outreach, rooted within the perception that “our Everlasting Father is in command of all issues” (Unbiased American Patriots – Foremost Web page). On the core of the PMA’s mission is the conviction that true independence means being free from get together affiliations and standing firmly on ideas of liberty, self-governance, and neighborhood resilience. This philosophy is embedded within the group’s construction, which empowers members to guide initiatives that mirror their values and deal with native wants, unencumbered by get together politics.
The PMA empowers members to embody the founding fathers’ spirit as retailers, craftsmen, farmers, and artisans, residing independently whereas contributing to neighborhood resilience. It believes that sustaining inalienable rights requires each private accountability and collective motion, with grassroots efforts like non-public city halls addressing native points (e.g., neighborhood clean-ups) and political challenges (e.g., advocating in opposition to corruption) (Minutes, Web page 93). Management helps members by offering instruments and academic assets, corresponding to “patriot firesides” on self-sufficiency subjects like meals storage and gardening (Minutes, November 21, 2024).
The PMA’s construction minimizes paperwork, working as an unincorporated affiliation for IRS compliance (Articles of Affiliation, Article X). Monetary transparency is ensured via quarterly reviews and annual audits, with dues accepted in gold and silver cash to align with constitutional foreign money requirements (Membership Settlement, Part 3). The Three Patriot Pillars—Calling of Independence, Tenets of Liberty, and Doctrine of Governance—information its mission, drawing from the Nationwide Monument to the Forefathers and H. Verlan Andersen’s ideas (Articles of Affiliation, Article IV). The annual Members’ Conference, held the Saturday after July 4, ensures member enter in governance (Articles of Affiliation, Article VII).
Acknowledging Numerous Paths
The IAP PMA acknowledges that some teams, corresponding to these persevering with the Utah Unbiased American Get together, are pursuing political avenues via get together constructions (Utah Unbiased American Get together – Wikipedia). The PMA respects their efforts and acknowledges the shared historical past that formed each paths. Nonetheless, the nationwide management and remaining members of the Nationwide Unbiased American Get together selected to forge a brand new path, pushed by the challenges confronted and a imaginative and prescient for direct, community-based motion. By specializing in principled, unbiased motion moderately than get together allegiance, the PMA gives another mannequin for individuals who consider that true change comes from devoted doers, not partisan rhetoric (X Publish, February 18, 2024). The PMA has no declare on state events’ efforts and helps their freedom to pursue their very own paths, simply because it confidently embraces its mission to strengthen communities via non-public affiliation.
Wanting Ahead
The Unbiased American Patriots PMA envisions a future the place liberty thrives via the actions of unbiased, principled people. By fostering resilient communities and empowering members to guide, the group goals to reveal that a number of devoted doers could make a profound impression, inspiring others to affix this motion of unbiased American patriots. Initiatives like Patriot Fireplace occasions and partnerships with Freedom Books goal to coach and encourage (Minutes, December 19, 2024). The White Buffalo image displays the PMA’s dedication to endurance and peace (Articles of Affiliation, Article IV). The PMA invitations all patriots who share this imaginative and prescient to affix in constructing a nation the place liberty and neighborhood thrive, free from the divisiveness of get together politics.
Key Milestones
Suggestions for Web site Integration
Visible Components: Embody photos of the 1998 nationwide recognition, the 2024 reorganization, and the White Buffalo image to have interaction guests.
Interactive Timeline: Create a clickable timeline of milestones, highlighting July 25, 2023, and July 10, 2025, to supply a dynamic historic overview.
Member Tales: Add testimonials showcasing community-building efforts to encourage involvement.
Hyperlinks to Key Pages: Embed hyperlinks to the platform, membership, and governing paperwork, noting their pending deal with and EIN updates.
Video Content material: Incorporate hyperlinks to Ezra Taft Benson’s speeches, corresponding to The Correct Function of Authorities, to attach guests with the group’s ideological roots (Minutes, April 10, 2025).
Key Citations
