Every day until the American presidential election on November 3, Europe 1 offers a report in the United States.
This Tuesday, stopover in Lansing, capital of the state of Michigan, where the authorities fear that far-right militias will disrupt the vote.
So much so that the polling stations will be directly linked to the police.
REPORTAGE
Until November 3, US election day, Europe 1 takes you to the United States with a daily report. This Tuesday, go to Lansing, the capital of Michigan, where the end of the campaign is taking place in a very heavy climate.
In 2016, Donald Trump won the Midwestern state by just 10,000 votes.
Four years later, the American president hopes to repeat the feat.
With the approach of the poll, a phenomenon worries the authorities and the voters: the weight of the militias of the extreme right on this end of campaign.
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Armed men occupied local government steps
In Lansing, the state capital of Michigan, last weekend, armed men and paramilitary outfits occupied the steps of the local government.
"I have my reserve of ammunition and my assault rifle, always loaded", explains a member of the "Militia for the Freedom of Michigan", at the microphone of Europe 1. Their slogan: "the sanitary restrictions linked to Covid are a conspiracy against the people ".
"I don't know anyone who has been infected with the Covid, but I know a lot of people who have lost their business or their job because of it. Everything is exaggerated, for a political purpose, for sure! To restrict our rights , always more ", continues the man questioned.
Militiamen planned to kidnap the governor
Two weeks ago, thirteen of these militiamen were arrested.
They planned to kidnap the Democratic governor of Michigan, who declared the health emergency.
Donald Trump also tackles this governor at each of his meetings.
"Has she been threatened? She just has to reopen the schools!", For example launched the American president.
Donald Trump uses as a lever for his campaign the unpopular measures taken locally against the epidemic by the Democratic States, even if it means encouraging, at the same time, the most dangerous groups, explains researcher Amy Cooter, a specialist in these movements: "When 'in a recent TV debate, he was speaking to the' Proud Boys', a tiny right-wing group, telling them to 'stand by.' They took it as a signal to go on the offensive if the things go wrong, ”she explains.
In short: be ready for confrontation in the event of tensions after the election, if the final results were delayed.
"Take up arms, yes, it is possible!", Explains this militiaman quietly, "but only to defend the innocent".
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For the first time, Michigan polling stations will be linked to the police
The authorities even fear in places incidents on voting day, where armed groups would come to "supervise", in quotes, the proper conduct of the election.
Donald Trump already denounces it as "rigged" in the event of defeat.
"What dissuade us from going to vote," sighs this completely panicked voter.
In Michigan, for the first time, all polling stations will therefore be directly linked to the police.