This is fascinating reporting about a movement in the Netherlands called the ‘autonomous’ movement. It was initiated by a man named Ronald Heister who calls himself “the minister.”
The autonomous people no longer live under the authority of the Dutch government. They are “freeborns” who do not have to follow the laws, they do not have to pay fines or taxes. Some hang an embassy sign on their home letting others know that they are part of the autonomous movement.
They also believe that they are all millionaires. They specifically believe that the Tax and Customs Administration manages 1.5 million euros in their name. These are called the birth trusts and they are entitled to them, according to gurus in the movement. Interestingly, and not surprisingly, no one has ever been paid any of this money.
The movement spread via online help coaches who themselves charge to teach people about how to become autonomous people. It costs quite a bit of money for their services.
“After signing up, he is referred to a chat group with like-minded people and a ‘Bossmaker buddy’, a virtual assistant. It answers questions about the letters to be sent. Soon there are all kinds of costs. “Of course, you also have to help your wife and children. They also have to become a member for 100 euros,” says the entrepreneur. “And if you need more help – those letters are incredibly complicated – you have to book a separate consultation.” Cost: more than 400 euros.”
If you follow their advice, you too can be free and rich. No more rules or laws, no more restrictions, you can do anything you want and do it with quite a bit of money. No more mortgage debts. It has quite the appeal.
An interesting element to the autonomous movement is that members have to sign a confidentiality clause.
This is all very similar to the sovereign citizen movement. They’re using different terminology but it’s basically the same idea.
The article is in Dutch so will need to be translated. You can read it here.