A tragic incident unfolded in Garfield, as a Black sovereign citizen lost his life in a standoff with deputies. William Hardison Sr., a 63-year-old who identified as a Moor, engaged in a fierce gun battle with law enforcement after they arrived to evict him from his apartment on August 23.
The confrontation quickly escalated, with Hardison firing multiple rounds of ammunition at the officers from various positions within the property. Law enforcement attempted to reason with him, urging him to leave peacefully, but their efforts were in vain. The situation necessitated the involvement of armed officers from the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburgh police, the FBI, and SWAT teams.
It is speculated that several factors may have contributed to Hardison’s refusal to comply with the authorities. A video from four years ago showed him being pulled over during a traffic stop and asserting, This ain’t their land. This is my land. I’m a Moor. Additionally, court documents revealed that he had been cited over 30 times in the past 15 years for lacking the appropriate licenses or registrations. In one encounter with the police, he challenged their jurisdiction based on his belief in sovereign citizenship.
Sovereign citizens are individuals who believe they are not bound by the laws of the country they reside in. Hardison’s conviction stemmed from the belief that he was a direct descendant of Moroccan Africans who had made a treaty with the United States, entitling their people to land.
Hardison’s resistance to authority culminated in a harrowing six-hour standoff at his late brother’s former residence. Sources indicate that he had access to 15 of his brother’s firearms and an extensive supply of ammunition, which he used against the police. The entire neighborhood was placed on lockdown as law enforcement worked to bring this intense situation to a close, finally resorting to the use of deadly force to subdue Hardison.
His family has since revealed that Hardison’s staunch defiance was driven by his belief that he owned the house. Although the property had been sold following his brother’s passing, as a sovereign citizen, he did not recognize the authority of the new owners, the property deed, or the government’s laws protecting property owners.
This unfortunate incident serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers that can arise from extreme beliefs and the challenges faced by law enforcement in handling such situations. The loss of a life is always a devastating outcome, leaving a community in mourning and prompting reflection on how to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
