Since Ammon Bundy officially launched the far-right People’s Rights Network (PRN) website in early 2020, the site has been an important indicator of the group’s size and scope. To members, the site highlights the local leaders and the total number of members in each of the 470 self-defined “areas” across the country.
The Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights (IREHR) has tracked this membership data regularly since the site launch. Data collected by the IREHR research team in October indicates the People’s Rights Network has collapsed in the wake of the July 2023 $52.5 million defamation and harassment verdict against Ammon Bundy, Diego Rodriguez, and the organization.
People’s Rights Network membership remains at 44,925 as of October 7, 2024. Washington has the most members (7,595), followed by (Oregon (6,425), Idaho (4,548), California (2,955), Utah (2,767), and Florida (2,272).
People’s Rights Network Membership by State – October 2024
| State | Members - Oct 2024 |
|---|---|
| Washington | 7595 |
| Oregon | 6425 |
| Idaho | 4548 |
| California | 2955 |
| Utah | 2767 |
| Florida | 2272 |
| Colorado | 1938 |
| Texas | 1820 |
| Arizona | 1277 |
| Montana | 1124 |
| Michigan | 878 |
| Nevada | 758 |
| Pennsylvania | 724 |
| Missouri | 632 |
| North Carolina | 609 |
| Georgia | 575 |
| New York | 539 |
| Indiana | 513 |
| Illinois | 487 |
| Ohio | 451 |
| Tennessee | 417 |
| New Jersey | 387 |
| Kentucky | 370 |
| Oklahoma | 343 |
| Nebraska | 329 |
| Kansas | 312 |
| Wisconsin | 307 |
| Virginia | 276 |
| Minnesota | 265 |
| Arkansas | 248 |
| Maryland | 230 |
| Massachusetts | 226 |
| South Carolina | 218 |
| New Mexico | 217 |
| Iowa | 185 |
| Louisiana | 167 |
| North Dakota | 165 |
| Hawaii | 151 |
| Wyoming | 148 |
| Maine | 148 |
| Mississippi | 143 |
| Alaska | 126 |
| Alabama | 124 |
| Connecticut | 121 |
| New Hampshire | 109 |
| West Virginia | 105 |
| South Dakota | 84 |
| Delaware | 61 |
| Rhode Island | 60 |
| Vermont | 33 |
| District of Columbia | 10 |
Due to the website’s structure, it appears few people have gone through the trouble of removing themselves from the system. As a result, membership growth is a more useful indicator of activity than the overall membership number. An examination of membership data indicates two divergent periods of membership growth: before the St. Luke’s defamation trial and after the trial verdict.
Pre-Trial
From the initial People’s Rights network gatherings in April 2020 to March 2023, the group identified 40,682 members in 470 different areas across the country. Membership growth was not uniform, often spiking with related on-the-ground activity.
While real-time tracking data is unavailable, in the pre-trial period (April 2020 to March 2023), the group added an average of 1,769.7 new members each month.
Post-Verdict
After the trial verdict in July 2023, the PRN website showed 43,925 US members. As of October 7, 2024, the PRN website identifies 44,982 members.
Membership growth has plummeted since the defamation trial verdict. The post-verdict monthly new member growth average has dropped to just 75.5, a decline of 95.73% from the pre-trial period. In fact, in the most recent period tracked (March-October 2024), the monthly new member average is down to 52.5, a decline of 97% from the pre-trial period.
A precipitous decline in online activity on the organization’s website matches the lack of membership activity. Posted events, articles, and comments have virtually dried up.
The membership site played an important role in real-world mobilizations through the use of its unique text-message rapid response system. The lack of activity on the site mirrors a lack of on-the-ground activity outside notable pockets in Oregon and Southern California.
In recent documents filed by Ammon Bundy in his bankruptcy case, Bundy again raised the specter of violence, “Mr. Bundy believes that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of wrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the right of property infringed, but he believes that all men are justified in defending themselves, their families, their friends, and property, from the unlawful acts and encroachments of all persons, including those who act in the color of law.” Though it was in a document related to his personal finances, Bundy went so far as to suggest that secession might be a necessary remedy.
People’s Rights Network membership data suggests the number of people willing to take up arms alongside Ammon Bundy is diminishing. IREHR will continue to monitor the situation for changes or developments in the future.
