This post was originally published to copblock.org on Nov. 26th, 2012. It’s shared here both due to the actions depicted (and the ideas that motivated the actions) and because those who created the video have spent time in the ‘shire.
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Taxes are theft. Think about it – do you want to hand over coin that you earned to a stranger simply because such an action is demanded?
Much like the ransom note that you might receive from someone wearing a badge, it’s not due to a sense of gratefulness that you might acquiesce but because of the implicit threat. The “or else” ramifications.
It was that rationale that caused North Carolina resident and Carolinas Cop Block founder Clyde Voluntaryist to pay the property tax fee associated with his vehicle. But instead of just cutting a check for the total amount, he first stopped by his bank, where he picked-up the total – in pennies.
If you find yourself with a ransom note for possessing a plant someone claims is “illicit” or for a vehicle “infraction” or any number of other victimless actions, consider sitting the time. By doing so, you won’t help to finance your local organized criminal gang, and in fact, will lessen their resources.
If you can’t sit the time, offer to donate the same amount to a charity or cause that you support.
If you’re told that’s not permissible, and you decide to pay the bribe to prevent future harassment, doing so with pennies is a low-risk way to demonstrate that you do not support their institution based on coercion.
Just imagine if 10% of ransom notes were paid as such…
If taxation without consent is not robbery, then any band of robbers have only to declare themselves a government, and all their robberies are legalized.
-Lysander Spooner
The following post was written by Ademo Freeman, from Valley Street Jail in Manchester, NH.
I wrote, prior to my wiretapping trial, a thank-you and semi-prediction of the outcome. Since then, I haven’t addressed the outcome publicly because I was tired of the trial talk and focused on doing my time. I’m not going to say much more than I did in my previous letter/blog post. The outcome of the trial is what it is and I knew the risk of my actions long before the verdict. I’m proud of myself for refusing the plea deal, speaking the truth, and avoiding the majority of the courtroom shenanigans. I hope others will follow my lead by taking the direct approach in courtrooms, even though I wasn’t “successful.” At some point, logic will prevail if everyone is speaking openly and honestly, especially when charges with victimless crimes and ones exposing government abuse – like mine. The conclusion of my wiretapping saga now lies in the hands of Brandon Ross who has decided to try the legal route in freeing me from the State’s grasp.
I’d like to again thank everyone who has helped share my story, support CopBlock.org‘s mission and contributed to my jail fund, commissary and/or appeal. Thank-you very much, I couldn’t do it without the support y’all have provided.
I guess the remaining question many, including myself, have is, “What’s next?” That answer depends on many things. Of the course the outcome of my appeal or other attempts of Brandon’s to free me from the 5 years of “good behavior” play a factor in what I’ll do after my release. Regardless, I know I’ll never go back to being an obedient servant of the state’s. Although jail as been an emotional roller coaster for me, as always, and may lead to a short vacation from public or high profiled activism like I’ve done in the past; I’ve recently started working on some video scripts and other ideas for Copblock/activism once freed, hopefully on or by October 11th.
Until then, I’ll continue my jail routine of reading, writing and working out, with the occasional outreach opportunity in between. And though many questions are still unanswered, know that we shall meet again, either doing activism or “in the place where there is no darkness.” (Reference to 1984)
On Tuesday, August 14th, 2012, I attended court at the Mount Laurel, NJ courthouse with Nicholas Shankin to observe his 7th court appearance for his drug charge. Thankfully, his case was dismissed and all charges dropped because the prosecutor did not have the evidence to back up the state’s case against Nicholas.
While there for only an hour, I witnessed a tragedy of people having their names called out and one by one they trudged up in front of the judge, in his beautiful robe! I decided that I would take a tally on how many victim crimes vs victimless crimes were taken up that hour.
Here is the tally, in all its glory:
Victim Crimes
Animal Cruelty
Check Fraud
Victimless Crimes
Speeding
Possession of marijuana
Littering
Soliciting w/o a license
Soliciting w/o a permit
Storing construction material in an unauthorized zone
Possession
Careless driving
DUI
Reckless driving
Throwing rocks into road
All of this in under 1 hour, oh the humanity! I estimated that the state garnered well over $3000 in less than one hour from mostly victimless crimes.
I also witnessed the judge being the daddy that we all need, lol!
The judge:
1. Take your hands out of your pockets! (He said this to 2 different people)
2. Grilled a woman about her living arrangements and wages.
3. Don’t interrupt me!
After Nicholas’s case was dismissed, I threw my arms into the air in victory (said nothing) and Nicholas danced his way out of the courtroom! The judge screamed at us and said that he would not tolerate that kind of behavior in his courtroom and then he yelled that we were not at a baseball game! I wanted to laugh at him, especially since I was wearing my Copblock t-shirt! I then got up slowly, all the while smiling sweetly at the judge, picked up my belongings and slowly walked out of the courtroom! The judge glared at me the whole time!
What a farce the state is, instead of focusing on real victim crimes, they spent about 96% of the hour I was there prosecuting victimless crimes. I kept thinking about what a financial racket the court system really is. This was the first time in many years that I had been inside a courthouse and I couldn’t believe it. In a few instances, people were not allowed to leave until they called each and every person they knew to pay their fines.
I walked away that day with mixed feelings, while I was ecstatic that Nicholas was exonerated, I was saddened by the victims of the state who had their hard earned money stolen from them by a man in a dress.
I also talked about Copblock outside the courthouse and handed out cards and literature!
