In the tiny unincorporated community of Story, Wyoming, the establishment of a lodge known as Wagon Box has sparked immediate skepticism among local residents. Over the past few months, this space has turned into a radical community hub. It draws the very worst of the figures tied to the American far-right movement. Seneca Scott, a former union organizer from Oakland, California is the focal point of this emerging story. His activism and political campaigning is dedicated to empowering marginalized communities and uplifting progressive causes.
Wagon Box has quickly emerged as an epicenter for gatherings that showcase Scott’s outlandish views. The lodge has hosted numerous gatherings that feature themes and guests associated with the dissident right, raising concerns among local residents about its impact on the community. Scott’s inflammatory and dangerous language, especially towards transgender people and left-leaning politicians, has fueled the anti-scary Wagon Box sentiment that continues to grow.
Controversies Surrounding Seneca Scott
As a result of all of this, Scott’s activities in Oakland have received considerable scrutiny. And his activism has taken many forms, often including going after transgender people, homeless encampments, and the local independent media collective. He has himself fought political campaigns with scorched earth tactics. This extends to accusations of intimidating and/or stalking local leaders through harassment in recall/oust efforts.
In a landmark case, Oakland moved to cut Scott down by asking for a restraining order. The city had accused him of having bullied one of its employees. According to documents, he publicly called the employee a pedophile on social media. He even shared the activists’ personal home address, which only exacerbated fears over his tactics.
“We’re not northern Idaho or even Montana. We’ve so far managed to not attract the crazy far right to our state.” – Elizabeth Storer
Scott’s unpopular position goes beyond the transportation world and affects his political ambitions. He has attempted to run for both city council and mayor in Oakland, aiming to assert influence over local governance while promoting his vision of a society increasingly hostile to progressive values.
Wagon Box’s Role in Far-Right Activism
Since its buyout by McNiel, Wagon Box has established itself as a haven for the like-minded, who share McNiel’s far-right radicalism. It has hosted events that resonate with Scott’s views, creating a space where individuals who feel alienated by mainstream politics can congregate. The lodge’s activities have included discussions on cultural renewal and strategies for navigating what some perceive as an impending societal collapse.
One specific exciting opportunity on the horizon is our first Doomer Optimism Campout in June. Scott will be speaking at the first ever Green Augmentation Forum! This incident is emblematic of a broader surge of hostility toward environmentalists from some sectors of the political right. They’re shifting the discussion toward greater preparedness and self-sufficiency as key to overcoming societal challenges.
“Capital seed for a nascent network state.” – Draft DAO document context
Talks on Wagon Box frequently return to the prospect of “cloud cities”. This idea originated from tech entrepreneur and “Secessionist” Balaji Srinivasan. His vision of freeing us from communities as defined by government borders represents a profound shift that technology now allows and should inspire us to seek.
Legal and Ethical Challenges
Wagon Box grew to accommodate the changes in Wyoming’s legislation as they unfolded. Together, these amendments allow Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) who might not wish to reveal their ownership structure to exist as recognized entities in the state. This legal framework has created opportunities for new entities such as Wagon Box to capitalize on. A good number see these kinds of organizations as exciting potential vehicles for new governance forms.
Scott’s efforts are not without their faults. Last year, California’s attorney general sued his non-profit, Neighbors Together Oakland. The organization was functioning without the requisite non-profit charter. These repeated issues have led to serious questions about his commitment to ethical practices in his advocacy work.
Additionally, his history includes a 2021 incident where he pointed a firearm at other motorists, which only adds to his already difficult public persona. Critics criticize these occurrences as examples of a growing trend among certain activist circles. Today, in these spaces, aggressive tactics tend to drown out serious, thoughtful conversation.
“NATALISM IS NAZISM Say it loud say it proud.” – Jonathan Keeperman