July 2008

War On Our Rights!

On May 12 a group of libertarians celebrated Thomas Jefferson’s birthday by dancing in his memorial at the stroke of midnight. They wore headphones and danced silently as to not violate any park noise codes. However, park security immediately contacted local authorities, and the event was raided. Upon police arrival, the group explained calmly that they did not require a permit, as the event was under 20 people and that the memorial is open 24-hours a day; furthermore, attendees stated that they had not violated any noise codes. On camera, park security claimed that the group was being disorderly, disruptive, and disrespectful to the Jefferson memorial. The incident resulted in one random arrest.

Truly, this is government acting with no respect to our citizens, or to our founders. I think Jefferson’s own words speak clearly on this issue. “Rghtful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add ‘within the limits of the law,’ because law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual.” Clearly Jefferson would be appaled by this incident.

The individual arrested has been labled the Jefferson One, and is facing federal charges of “interfering with an agency’s functions.” The charge is based off of Federal Regulations, Title 36 Section 2.32. However, upon close review of this section and the video of the arrest, it is unclear if this law was violated. The Jefferson One is seen being taken out of view of the camera and then shortly after is seen being arrested. It is unclear if the individual did anything during this off camera time period that may have violated this law.

The Jefferson One website has established a fund to assist in a legal defense agianst the charges. Currently, they have raised over 4,000 dollars. If the Jefferson One is convicted, they could face up to a five hundred dollar fine, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. Yet more is at stake than the diginity and the freedom of the Jefferson One. What is at stake here is our right to assemble peacefully and conduct our buisness as we so choose. Readers are encouraged to vist the Jeffeson One website and learn how they can help stop another governmental attempt to disregard individual liberty.

For more information about the Jefferson One please visit: http://freethejefferson1.wordpress.com/