21st of December Movement
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| The Movement to Avenge the 21st of December | |
|---|---|
| File:Decemberists-flag.png | |
| Leader | Unknown |
| Dates of operation | 1927 - Present |
| Motives | Return of all former Goetic Territory to Goetia, Retaliation against/destruction of the Tiberian State (Disputed) |
| Active regions | Agrana y Griegro |
| Ideology | Communism, Marxism–Leninism, Pan-Goetism |
| Major actions | Assasination, Mass shooting, Money Laundering, Arms trafficking, Bombings, Terrorism, Illegal drug trade |
| Status | Active |
| Size | Unknown. Estimated 7,000 - 9,000 depending on source. |
| Annual revenue | Unknown, Estimated $50,000 to $100,000 depending on source. |
| Means of revenue | Bank Robbery, Drug Trafficking, Legal Business (suspected), Personal Donations, Possible International Support |
The 21st of December Movement, officially known as The Movement to Avenge the 21st of December or The Movement for the Return to the Fatherland and unofficially as Decemberists, are a pro-Goetic terrorist group operating primarily in the territories ceded to Agrana y Griegro after the end of the Grand Campaigns. While officially the group adheres to the doctrine of the Communist Party of Goetia, official statements by the group as well as testimonies from former or captured members suggest a significantly more nationalist outlook. This difference in ideology is the stated cause behind attacks and propaganda released targeted on the group from other Left-Wing and Revolutionary groups operating in Artemia and elsewhere in Anterra.
The group was formed after the signing of the Treaty of Ornans (Grand Campaigns), seeking a direct return of the land ceded in the treaty to Agrana y Griegro to the new Goetic government. Initially a relatively small movement, the organization gained notoriety after an explosive device was detonated in a regional headquarters of the Artemian Reconstruction Plan Administration on the 12th of July, 1927. The movement has experienced periods of inactivity punctuated by periods of extreme activity, a pattern that has lead some to speculate that the group is not one group operating continuously but several that have assumed the name after the destruction of the previous.
Philosophy
The ideology of the 21st of December movement has parallels in other revolutionary and nationalist movements around the world, but has been morphed by its situation into a distinct form. While other groups advocating for the return or transfer of territory often rely on nationalist or ethno-nationalist rhetoric, the 21st of December movement is unique in that it blends this with radical Left-wing nationalist ideology. The group believes in a form of Vanguardism, holding that only Goetia has the ability to lead the world to a true Socialist state. This idea has been combined with Ethno-nationalist ideas, holding that only those with true Goetic blood are worthy to act as the vanguards of the revolution. This philosophical outlook colors their attacks, with most being designed in such a way as to directly impact perceived "invaders" more then what is considered their "in-group." The Agranan branch has adopted a militant philosophy, with released statements indicating that the branch sees any Goet who deals with the Agranan "oppressor" as legitimate targets. At the same time this branch has also suggested significantly more limited aims, with statements released by the organization often lacking the ethno-nationalist overtones of the Ovancian branch and the calls for the complete destruction of the occupying state, instead focusing more heavily on the idea of returning territory to the Goetic state.
The ideology of the organization is consistent in how it treats individual members. It emphasizes the movement over the individual, elevating the goal above any individual survival. The organizational structure creates ideologically self-reinforcing "feedback loops" that drive further integration with the ideology. This has lead to members having a consistent disregard of personal safety when confronted with a need to choose between their continued survival or the accomplishment of some objectives. Some religious scholars suggest the internal structure resembles that of a religious cult more than that of a standard terrorist organization, but the comparison remains a controversial one.
Organization
The group is organized into a group of cells, coordinated by a "leadership cell" and each operating independently and with minimal to nonexistent contact with other cells. Each cell is comprised of anywhere between three to nine people, mostly formed from either family or preexisting social groups. The extent of inter-cell interaction depends largely on the location in which the cells are operating. The majority of cells avoid direct contact altogether, instead operating using a complicated series of Dead drops and other signals to communicate with other cells. In Agrana y Griegro, minimal contact in maintained at all times due to the significantly more hostile operational environment. This model mostly prevents cooperation between cells, however evidence suggests that occasionally for particularly large or complex operations "supercells" are formed.
Aims
The 21st of December Movement stated aims are "The immediate and Direct Return of the occupied areas of Goetia to the administration of that nation, and the Punishment of the Occupying Powers for the Goetic Blood they have Spilled during their unlawful and criminal Occupation." There is some debate over the precise meaning of the last segment of the statement. The academic community is split between those who believe that it is a standard call to action, providing a ideological cover for violence, or if it is a call for the destruction of the Agranan state. Statements indicate that there may be an internal split on this idea as well, with statements released by different national branches suggesting differing interpretations of these statements.
History
Attacks
The Decemberists have been linked to a large number of terrorist attacks during the history of the organization. The majority of these attacks have involved the use of explosives, though there are several instances (the majority of which occuring during the 1980s and early 2000s) involving mass shootings.
Activities
The Movement has long held a stranglehold on a number of illegal activities in the border regions around Goetia. The group has been tied to a number of bank robberies in the area since their inception. The Cacourt Reserve heist, the largest successful bank robbery in the history of Western Artemeia in terms of the total monetary loss, was tentatively linked to elements of the group after gold from the reserve was found in a raided warehouse identified as a supply dump by the group.
Controversy
While theoretically a communist organization, the Decemberists have received a large amount of criticism from other communist groups. The Communist Party of Legantus, the only official communist party in the Legantine government, has repeatedly and strongly condemned the Decemberists for their more extreme actions and their ultra-nationalist views. These ultranationalist leanings have lead several other left wing groups to condemn the organization, including a number of other notable communist terrorist organizations.