Republic of Pollock
Republic of Pollock | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
| |
| Motto: "Pro Gente Pugnamus, Pro Populo Servimus" "For the Nation We Fight, For the People We Serve" | |
| Anthem: | |
 | |
| Status | Active |
| Location | Davis, California, United States of America |
| Capital | Coburntown |
| Official languages | none |
| Recognised national languages | English |
| Recognised regional languages | |
| Ethnic groups (2023) | |
| Religion (2022) |
|
| Demonym(s) |
|
| Government | Semi-presidential |
| William R. Coburn | |
| Theodore J. Coburn | |
| Legislature | Pollockian Law House |
| President's Fortress | |
| Grand Parliament of Pollock | |
| Independence | |
• Independence | 7 June 2019 |
• Constitution ratified | 14 July 2021 |
| Population | |
• 2023 estimate | 29 |
| HDI | 0.902 very high |
| Currency | Pollockian pollar and United States dollar |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific Standard Time) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +1 (530) |
| Internet TLD | .pl (proposed) |
Website pollockrepublic.wordpress.com | |
Pollock (US: /pɔːlɪk/), known officially as the Republic of Pollock, is a de facto autonomous region, known as a self-proclaimed micronation by the international community.[1] Pollock is comprised of 10 provinces and 1 capital region. Pollock is an enclave surrounded by the city of Davis in the US state of California. The official language is English, although Spanish, Indonesian and Sinhalese are also spoken.
Independence was declared on 7 of June 2019 from the United States of America as the Republic of Cobam. On 14 July 2021, the constitution was written, and Pollock claimed new lands, 10 provinces. Annexation of the occupied territories was ordered by the dictator. The national sport of Pollock, wrestling, was established on the 19th of May, 2020, along with the national animal, the squirrel on the same day. On the 5th of January 2023, Squad A of the Pollockian Army invaded and conquered Frank Lloyd Wright Park facing no resistance.
Border security along the entrance to Moore Boolevard, at the north of Pollock, is non-existent, and in the south of Pollock at the Great Gate of Pollock, no visa is required as well.
Etymology
The name of Pollock derives from the central street of the nation, which was known as "Pollock Court" when the nation was still a part of the city of Davis.
Etymology of Northtown
Northtown is named after its geographic location in relation to Coburntown.
Etymology of Lopez
The name "Lopez" of the Province of Lopez is derived from the surname of the inhabitants of the province.
Etymology of MacArthur
The Province of MacArthur gets its name from the surname of the inhabitant of the province, Robert, known as Bob.
Etymology of Gavetti
Like many of the provinces of Pollock, the Province of Gavetti gets its name from the surname of the two inhabitants of the province, Lu and Georgette.
Etymology of Moore
The name of the Province of Moore is derived from the large street that the region borders, Moore Boulevard, which is outside Pollockian territory.
Etymology of Wright
The name 'Wright' of the Province of Wright is derived from the very large park on the other side of Moore Boulevard, Frank Lloyd Wright Park.[2]
Etymology of Knight
The name 'Knight' of the Province of Knight is derived from the surname of the inhabitant of the province, Carol. English is exclusively spoken in Knight.
Etymology of Little Persimmontown
The Province of Little Persimmontown is named after the many large persimmon trees in the backyard of the province. The persimmons harvested are distributed among many of the other provinces by the kind inhabitants of Little Persimmontown, David and Denisse.
Etymology of the Federal District of Coburn
The name of the Federal District of Coburn is derived from the citizens of the region, who all share the surname 'Coburn' (US: /koʊbʊərn/). The Federal District of Coburn is the capital district, and holds the capital city of Coburntown.
Etymology of Westtower
Westtower is named after its geographic location in relation to Coburntown.
Etymology of Willowshire
The name of the Province of Willowshire comes from the large willow tree in the front of the region.
History
Timeline
- 7 June 2019 - Pollock's predecessor, the Republic of Cobam, is established
- Spring 2020 - William R. Coburn declares rule over the street of Pollock under the Republic of Cobam
- Mid-Spring 2020 - The Pillow War breaks out
- Summer 2021 - Capitol building is built in Coburntown
- 14 July 2021 - Constitution of Cobam is ratified
- April 2022 - Capitol building is incorporated into the Republic of Cobam
- August 2022 - Truce is reached between Evelyn's revolutionaries and Cobamian forces
- November 2022 - Cobam falls and is replaced by the Republic of Pollock, still under William
Pre-micronationalism
Before the Republic of Pollock declared independence from the United States, a major figure in Pollockian history, William R. Coburn had established the micronation of the Republic of Cobam on the 7th of June 2019, which encompassed only a single room. In 2020, William declared himself the king of Pollock Court. As there were not many people under the age of 13 on the street, William was not taken seriously, and his rule was not recognized. The Republic of Cobam faltered, and Evelyn Coburn of the Kingdom of Oceana declared war on Cobam, thus resulting in the Pillow War. The war ended in the destruction of Oceana, which collapsed, and the beginning of a dormant age of micronations on Pollock Court.
Development of modern Pollock
After the devastating Pillow War that resulted in the destruction of Oceana and the dormantism of Cobam, affairs between micronations on Pollock Court died out. In 2021, the modern capitol building of Pollock was built during summer break. The building was formerly the headquarters of the Order of the Red Dragon, but in April of 2022, the building became the capitol building of Cobam as well. On 14 July 2021, the first constitution of Cobam was written out. It was ratified with only one signer, William Coburn of the extremely small, but recovering, Republic of Cobam. The constitution gave absolute dictator-like powers to William, and he essentially became the dictator of Cobam. At that time, Cobam had a permanent population of merely 1, and William became lonely.
From February 2022 to August 2022, a series of small battles between Evelyn and the Republic of Cobam broke out in the backyard of the Coburn residence, now the Federal District of Coburn. Cobam had claimed the entire yard, and Evelyn had claimed a Japanese maple tree located in a small patch of dirt that had previously held tulips. John D. Coburn had ordered William and Evelyn to leave the premises of the yard, and as his military might largely surpassed Cobam's, Cobam's claims were reduced to a small patch of moss. William threatened to snap branches off of the maple tree as it was shedding its leaves on the moss grove, territory of Cobam, which sparked the Moss Wars. Theodore Coburn joined the war as a mercenary on the side of William, and in late August of 2022, a truce was reached, ending the wars and barring Evelyn from any form of micronational interaction for the next five months. In late November of 2022, the nation of Cobam fell overnight, and the Republic of Pollock was established, annexing the surrounding homes and cul-de-sac.
Pre-Conquest Pollock
The Park Conquests, begun on the 5th of January 2024, were the invasions of two parks in the region. Before the conquests began, this is how Pollock looked.
Politics and government
Elections
Elections in Pollock occur yearly in early April. Voting must occur on paper and may be mailed to the mail office of Coburntown. The votes will be counted one day after votes are cast. The winner is chosen by simple majority.
Prime Minister
The Prime Minister of Pollock is the head of government, and is elected every year. The prime minister is the leader of parliament, and is responsible for appointing ministers for each of the ministries of Pollock. There is no term limit for the prime minister.
President
The president of Pollock is the official head of state, and is elected every year, unless parliament votes for an early election. The president has the power to veto acts and legislation passed by parliament, and is also the chief of the Pollock Armed Forces and the Pollock Ministry of Internal Services. The president has no term limit.
Grand Parliament of Pollock
The Parliament of Pollock, officially the Grand Parliament of the Union of Pollock, is the main legislative body of Pollock. The leader of the parliament is the prime minister. Each member of parliament is elected through a majority popular vote every 5 months by the citizens of Pollock through in-person voting. The parliament votes on all legislation and acts, and all members of parliament may propose legislation. There are 5 seats in parliament, and there is no term limit for members of parliament.
Law and order
Law enforcement in Pollock is funded by the Pollock Ministry of Internal Services, and the national government operates a police force. Regional law enforcement is non-existent, although provinces may operate their own police force if the means for funding is around. Alleged criminals are taken to the High Court of Pollock, and will face trial. There is a 3-person jury, who must vote with a simple majority whether the defendant is guilty, and defendants are supplied a defense attorney by the government if the defendant cannot get one themselves. Suspects have the right to remain silent during interrogation, although everything they say in court or in questioning may be used against them. All internet activity is monitored in the days during or following interrogation or court. Disputes between businesses may be settled in a similar manner to criminal and civil courts, although most punishments handed out by the judge in court disputes between businesses are finance-related, and rarely result in arrest.
The Pollock Investigation and Special Police Agency, also known as the PISPA, is an elite unit of the national law enforcement service. They are armed with nerf blasters, and are responsible for high-profile crime investigation and arrests. The Pollock Ranger Patrol is responsible for the protection of national parks, and patrol rural areas predominantly.
Punishments for crimes include flogging, fines, and imprisonment.
Departments
| Name | Chief | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Foreign Affairs | Alexander Basinger | Maintaining foreign politics |
| Department of Internal Affairs | John D. Coburn | Releasing propaganda and maintaining order within Pollock |
| Department of Defense | William R. Coburn | Maintaining the Pollock Armed Forces |
Political parties
| Party name | Symbol | Leader | Ideology | Founded | Seats in parliament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Establishment Party | William R. Coburn | Traditionalism | 14 July 2021 | 4 / 5
| |
| Monarchist Party | Evelyn Coburn | Monarchism | 12 June 2023 | 1 / 5
|
Constitution
Preamble
The people and land of pollock, oppressed and restricted for years, will rise to the establishment of a free and fair nation, with the rights and freedom of the people in the best interests of the government and constitution.
Chapter 1 - Basis and Government
Article i - Sovereignty
The Republic shall encompass the claimed structures, road, fence, and environment as a sovereign republic.
Article ii - Legislature
The Republic shall be made of the Law House, which is made of the lower house of the Grand Parliament, and the the upper house of the President’s Fortress. The Upper House shall be able to veto and pass their own bills to the nation.
Article iii - Executives
The Republic shall be made of the president and the prime minister, with the prime minister acting as an advisor to the president, the sole member of the legislative ipper house.
Article iv - Offices
The Republic shall be made of 3 offices; the President’s Office, the Diplomat’s Office, and the Military’s Office. All offices are to be made of one head officer, with other members up to the discretion of the head of the office.
Article v - Military
The Republic shall be defended by the armed forces; they are to engage in fair treatment of prisoners and fair treatment of civilians on conquest.
Chapter 2 - People’s Rights
Article v - Right to Weapons
The Republic’s people shall keep the right to freely own weapons of all kinds, with government confiscation legal only in the courtroom.
Article vi - Right to Protest and Literature
The Republic’s people shall keep the right to freely protest and freely write with government reduction of this right only legal in violent circumstances or if martial law has been enacted by the president.
Article vii - Right to Worship
The Republic’s people shall keep the right to freely practice religion and spirituality.
Article viii - Right to the Vote
The Republic’s people shall keep the right to vote in anonymous elections for the prime minister.
Article ix - Right to Property
The Republic’s people shall keep the right to freely possess personal property.
Chapter 3 - Decrees and Amendments
Decree i - March Currency Acts
On this day the 24th of March Two-thousand and twenty-four, the Eagle Ticket, used as currency at Birch Lane School in the city of Davis, California, shall be introduced alongside the Pollockian pollar with one to one equivalency, one pollar equaling one ticket. The ticket shall retain its name as the Eagle Ticket and will legal tender for all transactions.
Foreign relations
Unilateral recognition
- All member states of the
United Nations 
Sealand
Molossia
Kosovo
Conch Republic
Ladonia
Hutt River
Wegmat
Mutual recognition
none
Military
The Pollock Armed Forces were established on 22 November 2022, and is led by the commander-in-chief, the president. It is comprised solely of the Pollockian Army. Soldiers are armed with nerf guns and occasionally plastic or wooden swords. All soldiers undergo a rigorous physical fitness test, and only passing enlistees are accepted into the Armed Forces. The Armed Forces currently has 3 active duty soldiers and 2 reserve soldiers. The modern Pollockian Armed Forces has been involved in no wars as of November 2022, and maintains a relatively neutral and anti-interventionist stance.
Foreign Conquests
On the 5th of January, 2024, the A Squad of the Pollockian Army invaded and conquered Frank Lloyd Wright Park with no resistance, looting a tennis ball and a weird-shaped stick. Private Evelyn received the Valor in Combat medal a few hours later for her extreme discipline in combat.
Structure
The armed forces of Pollock is relatively small, being composed of only a few squads. The brigades of the military number only two; one from Coburntown and one from Lopez.
Rank and insignia
There are no officer and enlisted ranks in Pollock; there is only a single basic rank hierarchy in the military.
| Insignia | Rank | NATO code |
|---|---|---|
|
Private | OR-1 |
|
Corporal | OR-2 |
|
Sergeant | OR-3 |
|
First Sergeant | OR-4 |
|
Command Sergeant | OR-5 |
|
Captain | OR-6 |
|
Major Captain | OR-7 |
|
Lieutenant Colonel | OR-8 |
|
Colonel | OR-9 |
|
Marshal | OR-10 |
|
Master Marshal | Special grade |
1st Coburntown Brigade
The 1st Coburntown Brigade is composed of 3 soldiers armed solely with nerf guns and stick spears. They are led by Evelyn Z. Coburn.
1st Lopez Brigade
The 1st Lopez Brigade is a part of the reserve forces, although if called to battle they are armed with sticks and poles.
Historical Vehicles
The B-1 light transport unit was the main vehicle of the armed forces until 2023, when the B-2 was introduced with improved brakes and stockier frame. Some B-1s are still in service. The medium motorized transport vehicle, the M-1, broke down in November 2023 and was decommissioned and sold to foreign scrap collectors beyond the borders. No replacement has been commissioned as of July 2024.
Following storage issues in March 2022, military vehicles were moved to the location of civilian vehicles as well.
| Photograph | Type | Amount | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Light transport
B-1 |
3 | United States |
 |
Motorized Medium transport
M-1 |
1 | United States |
Current Vehicles
| Photograph | Type | Amount | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Light transport
B-1 |
5 | |
 |
Light transport
B-2 |
1 |
Weapons
| Photograph | Type | Amount | Place of origin |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Revolving rifle-blaster | 1 | United States |
Geography and climate
Pollock is classified as having a Köppen Csa climate by the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system. The lowest temperature recorded in the region was 12 degrees fahrenheit, recorded on 8 January 1973. The most recent snow day was in 1973, and lasted for a few hours. The highest temperature recorded in the region was 116 degrees fahrenheit, recorded on 17 July 1925. Rain is relatively low compared to other areas, and dust storms are common in the summer months such as July and August due to the large agriculture industry surrounding Davis. UV (Ultra-Violet) exposure is common in June, July and August. Sunburns from UV exposure are seen often during these months, and the government of Pollock has released a warning against prolonged exposure to the sun without sunblock.
The area surrounding Pollock and beyond the city of Davis is almost exclusively flat farmland. Farther west, the California Coastal Mountain Range is reached, and farther east the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range lies, along with the capital of California, Sacramento, and many other towns. North and south of Davis is more farmland, all part of the Great California Central Valley. The climate favors drier plants, such as cactus, succulents and other desert-adapted vegetation. Common animals found in Pollock and Davis are squirrels, numerous species of bird, rabbits and coyotes. Coyotes are rarely seen in human-inhabited areas however, and prefer to inhabit the nature preserve Wildhorse Agricultural Buffer, a dirt and gravel nature trail near Pollock.
| Climate data for Davis, California | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 88 (31.1) |
90 (32.2) |
92 (33.3) |
98 (36.7) |
108 (42.2) |
115 (46.1) |
116 (46.7) |
114 (45.6) |
112 (44.4) |
104 (40) |
90 (32.2) |
88 (31.1) |
116 (46.7) |
| Average high °F (°C) | 55.5 (13.06) |
60.7 (15.94) |
66.3 (19.06) |
72.5 (22.5) |
81.1 (27.28) |
88.6 (31.44) |
93.3 (34.06) |
92.8 (33.78) |
89.8 (32.11) |
79.9 (26.61) |
65.4 (18.56) |
56.0 (13.33) |
72.2 (22.33) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 46.9 (8.28) |
50.9 (10.5) |
55.1 (12.83) |
59.6 (15.33) |
66.3 (19.06) |
72.2 (22.33) |
75.3 (24.06) |
74.6 (23.67) |
72.3 (22.39) |
64.7 (18.17) |
54.0 (12.22) |
47.0 (8.33) |
61.6 (16.44) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 38.4 (3.56) |
41.0 (5) |
43.9 (6.61) |
46.6 (8.11) |
51.6 (10.89) |
55.8 (13.22) |
57.3 (14.06) |
56.3 (13.5) |
54.8 (12.67) |
49.6 (9.78) |
42.5 (5.83) |
37.9 (3.28) |
48.0 (8.89) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 16 (-8.9) |
21 (-6.1) |
26 (-3.3) |
25 (-3.9) |
32 (0) |
34 (1.1) |
37 (2.8) |
37 (2.8) |
35 (1.7) |
26 (-3.3) |
20 (-6.7) |
12 (-11.1) |
12 (−11.1) |
| Average Precipitation inches (mm) | 4.02 (102.1) |
3.90 (99.1) |
2.70 (68.6) |
1.15 (29.2) |
0.73 (18.5) |
0.25 (6.4) |
0.01 (0.3) |
0.04 (1) |
0.09 (2.3) |
0.75 (19.1) |
1.78 (45.2) |
3.74 (95) |
19.16 (486.7) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01) | 12.3 | 10.4 | 8.8 | 5.0 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 6.9 | 11.2 | 63.2 |
| Source: United States Weather Service [3] Wikipedia [4] | |||||||||||||
Economy
The economy of Pollock is largely substance-based, and almost all working-age inhabitants travel outside of the borders for employment. The professions of citizens vary considerably, although the most common professions in Pollock are in the medical field, with one doctor and two nurses living within Pollock. All landowners grow a garden, which is consumed by the property itself almost always.
Exports
There is no steady stream of exports leaving Pollock year-round, although in mid to late fall Coburntown inhabitants set up a roadside stand along Wright Boulevard, selling pomegranates and sometimes eggs produced in Coburntown. This brings in a considerable amount of money for the sellers, which contributes to the overall wealth and economic well-being of Pollock. The sale has been set up every year except for 2020 and 2021, when poor crop yields and the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the selling of produce.
Imports
The import/export ratio in Pollock is much higher on the side of import, with hundreds of dollars worth of groceries being purchased weekly by citizens from over the border, as well as consumer goods ordered from outside the border as well.
Currency
Pollock uses the Pollockian dollar and the United States dollar interchangeably, although the dollar is more highly prized. Some domestic traders, particularly in Coburntown, accept other foreign currency including the Euro and Canadian dollar, although the acceptance of such currencies varies depending on the seller's discretion.
Banking
Most citizens store their money, both digital and physical, outside of Pollock. A single bank exists in Pollock, which is the Horizon Banking Corporation, based in Coburntown. They store account holder's money in a secure cash register or safe, hidden. The bank is known to change unfavorably high interest rates, however.
Culture and media
Pollock has a rich culture, a melting pot of numerous different ethnicities, including central American, Indonesian, Sri Lankan, and northern European. These distinct cultures are primarily celebrated and practiced within the province where said culture is predominant.
Customs
Pollockians have a custom of happy hour celebration, with the children playing in the street while the adults consume alcohol after a long day. This tradition is observed almost always on weekends, and less so on weekdays, although it has occured. Another custom Pollockians practice is when an immigrant arrives in the nation, they are welcomed with baked goods and fresh fruit for roughly three days straight following their arrival.
Furthermore, days of importance citizens traditionally hang a blue, green, or yellow shirt on the top of stick, and parade around their province of residence.
It is also widely believed by many Pollockians, primarily in the east and in Greenbelt National Park that there are numerous tribes of humanoid little people, known as "Smallers" or "Littles". They are believed to stand at a mere 1 in (2.54 cm) tall. They live in subterranean dwellings to shelter from humans and squirrels. This tradition has stayed alive for many years, and is still widely believed by Pollockians in the eastern parts of Pollock.
Education
Pollockian children all travel across the borders of Pollock for a formal education, although a small one-room school session was held in 2020 for the children of Lopez and Coburntown, but closed due to lack of resources. Pollockian citizens have a 100% high school graduation rate and most citizens have graduated with at least a bachelor's degree in higher education, which has contributed greatly to the nation's general well-being and prosperity.
Language
English is the de facto official language, although Spanish and Sinhalese are sometimes spoken, although it is rare. All business matters, conversation, and signs are in English.
Sports
Athletic traditions in Pollock are rich, with chicken catching matches, sword duels, and bicycle races being common within Pollockian cities. The National Bicycle Championship is the most prestigious racing championship in the nation, with competitors coming from all around for their shot at victory.
Sports Teams
Most sports organizations are located in and around Coburntown. Prominent sports teams include Coburntown FC and Lopez FC, with the star of the Pollock football community being Theodore "Teddy" John.
Cuisine
Pollockian cuisine is a blend of many kinds of food. Popular foods include tofu-lettuce wraps, chili, and grilled salmon. At nationwide festivals baked goods are a major part, with the citizen of the Province of Knight being known across the country for her cookies and pies, while the Province of Wright competes with Knightians for baked goods fame, with aspiring baker Everett gaining popularity quickly.
External links
Republic of Pollock official youtube
- ↑ Britannica. ""Micronation Definition"". Archived from the original on 25 November 2022.
- ↑ LocalWiki. ""Frank L. Wright Park"".
- ↑ "Station Name: weather-us.com". United States Weather Service. Retrieved 27-12-2022. Check date values in:
|accessdate=(help) - ↑ "Station Name: en.wikipedia.org". Wikipedia. Retrieved 27-12-2022. Check date values in:
|accessdate=(help)