Citizen Bane: A Librarian’s Primer on Sovereign Citizens
A little patience, respect, and active listening can go a long way
I once worked for a private law library that allowed public access on one condition: A person had to show a driver’s license or other government ID to be admitted.
Most people did this without complaint. However, there was one woman who presented, instead of a driver’s license, a laminated card issued by the “Republic of the United States.” The card was typewritten and included her picture, but the thing had clearly been made at a FedEx store.
When I told the woman I couldn’t accept this document, that she needed a real government-issued ID, she sighed in an I-get-this-all-the-time manner. She explained the ID was real because she was a free person, not owned by a foreign corporation, which the United States is. Therefore, not being subject to that corporation’s laws, she should be allowed to enter the library.
“I’m sorry,” I said, “but that’s not our policy. You need a traditional state ID.” She argued a little more before grabbing her backpack and leaving. Now, it was my turn to sigh — a sigh of relief. I had just encountered a sovereign citizen.
Things could have gone so much worse.
