The gunmen who have seized a federal building in Oregon claim they're patriots.
But on social media, many are calling the self-styled "militia" terrorists -- and mocking the group that has taken over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters with derisive nicknames.
Some are calling them Y'All Qaeda:
Whomever came up with #YallQaeda to describe the Oregon militia, I take my hat off to you. And then put it back on and take it off again.
— Colin Miner (@cominer) January 3, 2016
Whoever coined the hashtag #YallQaeda is brilliant. Redneck terrorism has descended on Oregon.
— PatOndabak (@PatOndabak) January 3, 2016
Since the gunmen for the most part do not appear to be from the South, others prefer to call them #VanillaISIS:
#YallQaeda makes no sense to me because the militia people are from the West and Upper Midwest, not the South. Have to go with #VanillaISIS.
— Brandon Friedman (@BFriedmanDC) January 4, 2016
The emergence of #VanillaISIS in Oregon sparks fears of radicalizing disaffected hipsters in Portland.
— Khaled Bey (@KhaledBeydoun) January 4, 2016
#VanillaISIS and #YallQaeda. Oh Twitter, I love you so much. xo
— Brew Me (@poguemahonebrew) January 3, 2016
Still others have taken to using terms such as #YokelHaram and #al-Shabubba, and say the group is waging #YeeHawd.
Some are even making fun of the group for its choice of target:
You know you're a badass Tea Party patriot when your militia takes over an unprotected bird sanctuary
— Stonekettle (@Stonekettle) January 3, 2016
Every successful revolution starts with takeover of closed visitor center with gift shop. #OregonUnderAttack #YallQaeda
— Lars Petticord (@fatdownjacket) January 3, 2016
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