33°07′33″N 115°57′31″W / 33.12590°N 115.95862°W / 33.12590; -115.95862
| Slowjamastan | |
|---|---|
| Micronation (unrecognized entity) | |
 Flag | |
| Area claimed | Imperial County, Southern California, United States |
| Claimed by | Randy Williams (as Sultan) |
| Dates claimed | December 1, 2021–present |
The Republic of Slowjamastan (officially the United Territories of the Sovereign Nation of the People's Republic of Slowjamastan) is a micronation in Imperial County, Southern California, United States. Founded on December 1, 2021, by slow jam DJ Randy Williams, Slowjamastan is located on an empty plot of desert land along State Route 78. A micronation is a political entity that claims independence and mimics acts of sovereignty as if it were a sovereign state, but lacks any legal recognition. Although Slowjamastan has no structures, located on the plot of land is a large border sign by the highway, a border control post and an open desk that serves as the Williams' office—the self-proclaimed sultan of the micronation. He founded Slowjamastan following a visit to Molossia, another micronation located in Dayton, Nevada, in August 2021, and purchased the plot of land in October for US$19,000.
Location
The Republic of Slowjamastan is located on an empty, 11.07-acre (4.48 ha) plot of desert land in Imperial County, Southern California. It follows California State Route 78, and is located between Ocotillo Wells in San Diego County and Westmorland, 14 miles (23 km) southwest of the Salton Sea, about 100 miles (160 km) from San Diego, and 36.8 miles (59.2 km) north of the US–Mexico border. Although Slowjamastan has no structures, on the plot of land is a large border sign by the highway, a border control post and an open desk that serves as the sultan's office. There are plans for expanding the territory.
History
Slowjamastan was declared independent on December 1, 2021, by slow jam DJ Randy Williams, also known by his stage name R Dub!, who presents the Sunday Night Slow Jams radio show. Williams, who had visited all United Nations member states except for Turkmenistan, became inspired to create a micronation after visiting the Republic of Molossia—a micronation located in Dayton, Nevada—in August 2021. When Williams returned to his residence in San Diego, he immediately began working on plans for his own micronation and in October 2021 purchased the land.
A micronation is a political entity that claims independence and mimics acts of sovereignty as if it were a sovereign state, but lacks any legal recognition. Micronations are classified separately from states with limited recognition or quasi-states, as they lack the legal basis in international law for their existence. However, Williams bases Slowjamastan's legitimacy on meeting the criteria of the Montevideo Convention.
Plans envisioned by Williams for tourist attractions in Slowjamastan include a bowling alley, interactive armadillo farm, hot dog emporium, restaurant and a lazy river, pending the configuration of a working water system in the desert. Upon declaring independence, Williams sent postcards to nearby residents and businesses. While local business owners declared the idea of Slowjamastan as bizarre and eccentric, they were open to the project possibly bringing tourists and increased attention to the area.
Slowjamastan was represented at MicroCon 2022 held in Las Vegas, MicroCon 2023 held in Joliet, Illinois and at MicroCon EU 2023 held in Ypres, Belgium.
In 2024, Slowjamastan was a guest at the NATO Summit in Washington DC.
Governance and citizenship
Slowjamastan is run by Williams, who ostensibly rules as the sultan of the micronation. He asserts that Slowjamastan is both a dictatorship and "occasional democracy" as he allows input from citizens. Slowjamastan also has a virtual parliament. The laws of Slowjamastan are based on the "everyday annoyances" experienced by Williams while growing up in the United States. Some prohibitions include Crocs, mumble rap, people who put their feet up on the dashboard, and eating string cheese by biting directly into it. People can apply for citizenship and cabinet positions online via Slowjamastan's website. As of July 2024, the number of citizens was more than 19,000. Slowjamastan issues passports with quotations on them from hip hop artists.
References
- ^ Yagya Sharma (June 9, 2023). "Meet 'Sultan of Slowjamastan', who created a 'country' in the US where Crocs are banned". Hindustan Times.
- ^ Radin, Danielle (July 5, 2023). "Man creates own 'micronation' in Southern California: Slowjamastan". CBS News. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ Collett, Richard (June 21, 2023). "He ran out of countries to visit, so he created his own". CNN. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- "Name a State - The Republic of Slowjamastan". Slowjamastan. November 13, 2021.
- ^ Cutchin, James B. (February 3, 2022). "New micronation 'Slowjamastan' rises from the desert … sort of". The Desert Sun. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ Dawson, Danielle (June 11, 2023). "Welcome to Slowjamastan, a 'micronation' hidden in California". WPRI. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- Southern, Keiran (June 16, 2023). "Inside Slowjamastan, where a DJ sultan declared independence from US". The Times. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- Landecker, John (June 21, 2023). "Meet the benevolent dictator of the Republic of Slowjamastan: Sultan Randy 'R Dub!' Williams". WGN Radio. Event occurs at 02:40–03:03. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- Hobbs, Harry; Williams, George (2021). Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty. Cambridge Studies in Constitutional Law. Cambridge University Press. pp. 76–78. ISBN 978-1-009-15013-2. Archived from the original on May 27, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- Teh, Cheryl (June 12, 2023). "A San Diego man got sick of living in a regular country so he founded a nation of his own called Slowjamastan and crowned himself its sultan". Insider. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- "Welcome to Slowjamastan". Alta Online. October 21, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- Ulrich, Amanda (July 23, 2023). "Welcome to Slowjamastan! The desert micronation with no Crocs and no taxes". The Guardian. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- "Registered Delegations for Ypres MircoCon". MicroCon 2023 Chicago & Ypres. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- "Matt About Town: Slow jams and no Crocs — The lore behind the world's newest 'nation,' Slowjamastan!". WTOP News. July 16, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- Nova, Redazione Agenzia (July 11, 2024). "Born: the sultan of Slowjamastan arrives at the top, the dictatorship founded in California by DJ Randy Williams". Agenzia Nova. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- "7/26/24 Blog: The Last Two Weeks Have Been the Longest Year". iHeart. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- Brett, Sarah; Buckler, Chris (June 16, 2023). Welcome to Slowjamastan: US DJ's new Micronation. Good Morning Ulster. BBC Radio Ulster. Event occurs at 03:56–04:35. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
