Ep 2. Patriot Movement

This is Life with Lisa Ling season 4 episode 2, Patriot Movement, explores the elusive and controversial world of the Patriot Movement through the eyes of three individuals dedicated to a cause that is widely misunderstood.

The first person we meet is John Ritzheimer, a Marine veteran and passionate activist who organized an anti-Islamic rally in Phoenix that garnered national attention. We follow him as he plans another rally and receives an alarming death threat that causes him to question the line between free speech and hate speech. Next, we meet a woman named Kendra who runs a prepper community in rural Texas. She believes that the government is an imminent threat to her family's safety and spends her time preparing for a doomsday scenario. We witness her family's preparations and learn about the challenges they face in building a self-sufficient life.

Finally, we meet a man named Robert who runs a militia training camp in the woods of Washington state. He and his fellow militia members feel a duty to protect their community from any threat, foreign or domestic. As Lisa Ling watches them train in the woods with assault weapons, she grapples with the idea of citizens taking their safety into their own hands.

Throughout the episode, Ling questions the motives and tactics of the Patriot Movement while striving to give them a fair and unbiased platform to share their beliefs. She also speaks with experts who shed light on the origins and dangers of the Patriot Movement, including the connection to the Oklahoma City bombing.

Overall, This is Life with Lisa Ling season 4 episode 2 provides a thought-provoking and nuanced look at a polarizing movement that often falls victim to stereotypes and misconceptions.