Why Spokane. Why now.

One of my best friends called me up yesterday to urge me, to plead with me, not to go to Spokane. He had a lot of reasons why. One point he raised was that some in the open carry/We Will Not Comply movement seem to be determined to become "scarier than the people they oppose" by "dressing like operators in Iraq" and "wearing masks and clown get-up." He pointed out the long-ago critique of a leftist looking back on the anti-war movement who bemoaned that they lost the larger argument when the anti-warriors, through riots and Weatherman actions, "became scarier than the Vietnam War itself." Anthony, I pointed out, was dressed in a suit and tie. "Yeah," he retorted, "but the press didn't run his picture, did they?" He has a point.

It is incumbent upon us to insist upon our rights but not to appear as out-of-control loons when we do. Armed civil disobedience puts a premium upon principle and discipline and some folks, frankly, lack both. Of course, he complained, "I know you're not going to listen to me and you're going to do what you want to do anyway." He concluded by telling me he was was putting me on another prayer list. Good. I need all the prayers I can get, as do we all.

His principal fear, and one that is well taken from the vantage point of experience (and we both have more than twenty years in this movement), is that a. the crisis is coming; b. we are nowhere near ready; and c. we are our own worst enemies. All true. And yet, what are we to do? But before we answer that question, let me ask another upon which the first depends: What do we know? Specifically, in this instance what do we know about the situation in Washington state?

Here's what I know, or can reasonably deduce from past experience.

1. The state authorities are, as in CT, frankly at a loss to know what to do about armed civil disobedience of I-594. They are at a loss and they are scared, both personally and policy-wise. Like Malloy and his minions in CT they are frozen in inaction because of the uncertainties.

2. The Feds share their fear. THEY picked this fight with Anthony Bosworth deliberately. They singled him out, among others who were open carrying and they detained him, threw him in a steel cage and sought to intimidate him and turn him. They did this, on video, without reading him his Miranda rights, then denying him a lawyer, indicated that they could, NDAA-like, essentially make him disappear, in actions that were deliberate. It was the entire purpose of the exercise. They are seeking to provoke a confrontation. They are seeking just the sort of response we are going to give them on Friday so that they can bring their considerable resources -- seen and unseen, including a considerable army of snitches and agents provocateurs -- to bear to crush the nascent movement with a discrediting incident.

3. The selection of Spokane as the battlefield in this "the federal empire strikes back" scenario is also no accident. Spokane is a hotbed of those so-called "racist right" groups that the FBI controls (and has for many years) as so many COINTELPRO assets. Spokane is also a hotbed, strangely enough, of both current and former spooks, from both sides of the Cold War, which, in case you didn't notice is even colder now than it was then. And yes, I'm talking about current Russian agents of influence (who are, oddly enough, trying to make inroads in the so-called "patriot movement" up there) as well as failed and broken down American spies and former intelligence assets retired for incompetence, blown covers, failed operations, etc. I could go into the subject of the large number of official but phony driver's licenses provided by the authorities to such people, but that is for another day.

4. This witch's brew provides a rich backdrop of potential competing conspiracy theories and plausible deniabilities to the feds in case anything should "Accidentally Happen." In the aftermath, should they be successful with whatever provocation they have in mind (and remember, a la the Elohim City/OKC bombing events prior to 19 April 1995, there are certainly likely to be competing agencies and provocations that may get out of the hands of the agencies and provocateurs themselves), it will be difficult in the ashes to determine federal culpability -- which of course is the predicate for the operation(s).

5. I also know that it is reported by sources that the Southern Poverty Law Center has (again, just like Elohim City in the pre-OKC bombing days) its own snitches in place in Spokane who are seeking to work their way into the ranks of the armed civil disobedience movement. They are also researching a big hit piece on the WA state activists. The timing of that "expose" will tell us much.

All of these are perfectly understandable reasons for cancelling Friday's rally. The Feds apparently want it -- NEED it -- and are marshaling their resources to achieve a certain outcome. Why go ahead? Because we must show ourselves to be free men and women who will stand our ground, with principle and discipline, in the very fangs of leviathan's bloody mouth. It is no accident that I intend to take my speech subject from the lessons provided by 1 Samuel, Chapter 22. It is not enough to oppose something from afar. We must stand in the gap, even (sometimes) on battlegrounds of our own enemy's choosing.

Of course it is also true that this piece may remind the analysts -- if not the operators and decision takers of the federal government -- that radar works both ways. They may think we're a bug on their screens. They should understand that they are a bug -- albeit a much BIGGER bug -- on ours as well. In the aftermath of whatever happens -- IF they themselves arrange for something to happen (for we will not, it is not in our interest) -- that many things previously hidden that they seek to remain hidden will be exposed. Something for them to think about this day as I get on the plane to carry me to Spokane.

Mindful of the weather I got to the B'ham airport several hours early. Unfortunately, I was just informed that the flight in is delayed, putting me too late to get the connector from Charlotte to Seattle. at the moment they cannot promise to get me to Spokane any sooner than tomorrow night, which is not optimal to say the least. We are currently working on alternatives such as driving to Atlanta but the ice storm has made road conditions bad as well. Will let you know what happens. Crap.

Screwed by US Airways -- again. And yes that's twice in one day by the same folks.

So, we put together an alternate route that started in ATL and went to Seattle and I was going to drive from Seattle to Spokane and still make it. I rented a car in B'ham, got on the road to ATL and got here, finally with 30 minutes to spare, only to be told by US Airways that I had to be here 45 minutes before the flight and since I wasn't -- they wouldn't give me a boarding pass. I am now sitting in ATL airport waiting to get a rental car back to B'ham. This has been the most expensive cluster coitus to no purpose ever. It would seem, if I were paranoid, that the Fibbies have gone into total screw mode. I say that not so much for what has happened to me but for what I am briefed is happening on the ground in WA state. They are evidently into a full court press now, with much psywar directed at the leadership. The rally cannot be cancelled, so they are going ahead with it. I hope all you Threepers who are within driving distance will show up to support them. I will post my speech -- the one I was going to give -- in these pages tomorrow morning. Those of you who do show up should bring all the video equipment you can. I can't tell you how frustrated I am at this moment, but there's nothing more that I can do at this time.

Enemy action in Washington state. No adults in the room. I guess the CIA is cool with the FBI blowing the cover off several of their ops in the Northwest.

"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times and you can be damn sure it's enemy action." -- Military maxim.

Among the aggravations of yesterday was a continual interruption of communications between the Washington state activists and others, including me. Their cell phones were being seriously screwed with -- blocked calls, dropped calls, repeated calls not even ringing into the recipients, a call to a radio station call-in show made impossible. Yes, the empire wanted them to understand what the malevolent eye of Sauron meant. No doubt such fed-induced problems will continue today, as they vector all their snitches, agents provocateurs and badge-heavy thugs on Spokane.

It is evident that no one in responsible authority got my message about potential blowback from a light-switch operation to spook operations in the Northwest. Either the CIA doesn't care, doesn't take us seriously, or finds itself no longer the adult in the room, now hostage to the children of lesser gods of the FBI.

Motivating me to pick up the cudgel of the PATCON scandal would also be directly counterproductive to the FBI. It is equally evident that they don't care.

Keep Anthony and Maria Bosworth, Kit Lange and all the WA state activists in your prayers this day. The thoughtless federal thugs are moving to some conclusion that they will, in the end, find laden with unintended consequences.

Police allow armed activists on federal land despite ban

Frances Wang, KREM.com 6:04 p.m. PST March 6, 2015
Gun rights activists host armed rally in front of Spokane Federal Courthouse

SPOKANE, Wash.-- Police with the Department of Homeland Security allowed armed activist on federal land Friday morning despite a recent order expanding weapons restrictions to federal grounds including the Thomas S. Foley.

The order and protest happened within the last week when an armed Iraq war veteran was arrested outside of the Thomas S. Foley Courthouse in Downtown Spokane. Anthony Bosworth said he does not believe he was breaking any laws by carrying an assault rifle outside the federal courthouse.

His arrest was caught on cell phone video.

#UPDATE Despite officer's reminder, protestors have moved from sidewalk to federal grounds to make speeches. pic.twitter.com/IRkOzlg9ie
— Frances Wang (@KREMFrances) March 6, 2015

On Friday, about 50 supporters maintained that Bosworth did nothing wrong and that federal agents owe him and them an apology. The activists arrived around 11:00 a.m. A majority of the protesters arrived together carrying flags, signs and firearms along the sidewalk outside of the federal courthouse.

One man's protest with a rifle staged in front of the Spokane Federal Courthouse last week sparked a big gun rights rally. KREM


Bosworth led the group which was warned by authorities upon their arrival. The officer warned the crowd that guns were not allowed on federal grounds and asked armed activists to remain on the sidewalk which is public property. The group agreed to remain peaceful. However, many expected it to turn ugly.

The protesters stayed off Federal property until Bosworth's conversation with a police officer. The two came to an agreement that he and about a dozen others could do exactly what he was doing when he was arrested before.

Early exchange between an officer %26 Anthony Bosworth. Officer says he's trying to help protestors. pic.twitter.com/fKXz47fkgI
— Frances Wang (@KREMFrances) March 6, 2015

Within an hour of the protest starting, armed activists had moved onto federal grounds in front of the courthouse to hear Bosworth speak. However, authorities did not stop the group. The same officers who warned the activists told KREM 2 News that authorities would respect the protest even though they are on federal property. The officer added that armed activists will not be cited or arrested as long as they remain peaceful.

KREM 2 on Your Side asked why no arrests were made Friday and found out that police backed down. They said because everyone was peacefully protesting, they allowed them to openly carry on federal property. As part of the agreement, Bosworth showed protestors what line they could not cross and told everyone that their guns could not be loaded.

Bosworth's wife said he has not faced charges for his original arrest and he still has not got his gun back.

The Battle for Washington State
Liberty for All Federal Protest: The Rest of the Story

by Kit Lange | Mar 7, 2015 |

Every time we have a rally or action, I sit down later and write an article about what happened. As the intel officer, I am also privy to information that the public does not know. Sometimes the weight of that information weighs heavily on me, and yesterday it seemed almost crushing. The depth and breadth of the efforts being put against us were unlike anything we had seen yet. We were used to dealing with state authorities, used to putting up with the cowards and the naysayers—so used to it, in fact, that the slimy hit pieces and childish Facebook foot-stompings have become nothing more than a running joke among those of us in the Liberty for All core group.

This, however, was a whole new ball game: this time we were going up against the force of the federal government, against agencies whose sole directive is to leverage government control over law-abiding patriots. This time, we were met with tactics we expected, but had not experienced yet. Communications were disrupted or even blocked; those of us in the leadership could call anyone except each other. Emails never reached their destination. In one particularly asinine instance, a rental car company literally claimed that they changed their policy midway through the day in order to prevent us from renting a car for Mike Vanderboegh to get home—after the airline inexplicably barred him from boarding his flight to Washington, effectively leaving him stranded at the Atlanta airport.

rally8Behind the scenes, in the Facebook chats and the various group conversations, another operation was ongoing. Known, confirmed federal informants were working in conjunction with each other to disrupt the rally efforts and discourage people from attending. Citing secret inside sources they had access to, they claimed it was a trap, claimed that anyone involved with it would be filmed and catalogued, or even arrested and detained indefinitely. Their efforts, while concerted and well-executed, underlined both their own cowardice and a basic misunderstanding of who they were dealing with. They apparently don’t understand the level of fortitude that my brothers and sisters possess.

We already knew all of those things were in the works, and the only people these fools deterred were the ones who would not have the courage to stand in the face of them anyway. As a result, these little stoolies had the opposite effect they intended. Their efforts decreased our numbers, yes…but they also managed to purify them. Those who showed up yesterday would have stood the line until their last breath; if it had gone badly, they would have died with a smoking gun in their hand protecting the man next to them. So, as a side note, I’d like to sincerely thank those who spent so much time and effort on their propaganda and disruption campaign, and ask that you do it again next time. You did us a great service.

Those of us in the leadership spent countless hours planning and gaming out the rally, answering a million and one questions with no good answers. What if someone got arrested? What if we met with a huge presence? What if, God forbid, they opened fire? What if? We knew that tensions would be incredibly high, and the information coming across my screen was almost terrifying. Some who were privy to the intel coming in even asked if maybe we should cancel. The entire situation was a pile of tinder on a hot, dry day…just waiting for a spark.

The night before, the leadership sat in someone’s livingroom and soberly looked at each other across the room. We had planned all we could, done all we could—and still, no plan survives contact with the enemy. Cancelling, for us, was not an option. We would stand the line, and we would lead from the front—no matter what. We did not sleep that night. As the sun peeked over the desert mountains, with heavy hearts and unshakeable resolve we hugged our kids, we put on our guns, and we went to work.

As we made our way to Spokane, messages came in to us from all over the country. Words of love and support, of fiery defiance. It warmed my heart to know that there were others on the road at that moment, coming to stand with us. We reached the destination about an hour early, met up with some familiar faces, and started walking to the rally point. As we came around the corner, I saw a large group of people halfway down the block. Shining in the middle was the bright yellow of a Gadsden flag, and I knew I was home. We rallied up and started walking to the courthouse a few blocks away, and we started singing the national anthem. Loudly. Imagine the sight—30+ patriots, with flags and rifles, boldly marching down the sidewalk while singing the Star-Spangled Banner for the whole world to hear. This is liberty. I held back tears as we stood on the corner waiting for the light to change.

As we reached the courthouse, several DHS vehicles were outside. As we stood on the sidewalk, outside federal property, a few of us started scanning—and found what we were looking for. Aside from the DHS helicopter overhead, there was a roving perimeter manned by SUVs with fake license plates. A homeless man on the sidewalk next to a building, holding a smartphone that was taking video. Another man sitting on a bench pretending to read a book while watching closely. Someone else walking around through the crowd trying to chat up the attendees and get their business cards or contact information. There were snipers on the roof…many of them, positioned in such a way that no matter where we were in the area, we could be taken out any moment.

rally3Think about that for a moment. In a public area, where a group of law-abiding, America-loving patriots were gathered to exercise their rights and stand for the Constitution, the federal government had snipers trained on us, ready to put a bullet in our heads at any moment. If that simple fact does not stir something in your core, then you are beyond hope. These were only a few of the things we saw; much of what was in place and what happened behind the scenes will not be spoken of here.

The DHS agent who was involved in Anthony’s arrest came up and shook his hand, telling him that they wanted to see a safe event and asking us to please not bring our guns onto the plaza again. Anthony pointed out that a judge’s arbitrary decision does not make law, that we absolutely have the right to be there. After several rounds of “please don’t do this because it would be a really bad idea for you,” Anthony turned to the crowd.

“You are all individuals. You make your own decisions. Do we stand here on the sidewalk, or do we take the plaza?”

rally7It was a formality for him to even ask. We would be taking the plaza. We did, however, agree not to approach the doors of the building. We moved onto the plaza grounds, half-expecting to be arrested.

But we weren’t.

Just to give you some perspective, let’s recap. Anthony was arrested for being openly armed on that plaza. AFTER his arrest, they amended a rule to state that NOW firearms aren’t allowed on the property, which proves they knew Anthony wasn’t breaking the law when they arrested him. Yet now, with their “rule” in place, a whole group of armed patriots were standing on the plaza in direct violation of it…and they did nothing. We took photos of the snipers, of the agents moving in the crowd, of the vehicles and personnel they had working against us. We know our own, and we know those who do not fit.

We made sure to get a photo standing in front of the building; the photo’s perfect caption was given by another one of our number: They said we couldn’t stand there. We stood. And while we did not get Anthony’s firearms back, we will. I can promise you that.

There are those who will say that we are paranoid, that the feds in attendance were simply looking out for our safety, or that there was never any danger and all of this was standard protocol for an armed rally. They did not see what we saw. They were not there watching what happened leading up to the event. They were not in the quiet conversations where we read collected intelligence and were so sickened by it that we literally just closed our eyes and prayed to God Almighty for our safety. They did not see the incredible, insidious operation to derail every single thing we were doing.

There are those who will say we were lucky, or that we never should have been there to begin with. Some will say that we are radioactive, that even associating with us is dangerous because we have “Fed attention,” and somehow that’s a communicable disease. To them I say good riddance. You would never have had our backs in the fight anyway. At this point, federal attention is almost how you know you’re doing your JOB.

What people should take away from this is simple. It is the same thing we have been trying to tell people over and over for months, even years. If you stand, you can win. If you don’t, you won’t even have a chance.

Could there come a day when we stand, and it does not end with joyous victory? Yes. Every time we go, every time we stand could be that day. But here’s what you don’t understand:

The idea of arrest or harm is not a reason to stay away. That’s the reason to GO.

Because on that day, your brothers and sisters will need you. They will need every able-bodied patriot, every rifle, every man and woman who believe in liberty. If you stay away out of fear, or because you think you’re waiting for the “big SHTF event,” then you are effectively telling your fellow patriots that you aren’t willing to come in until they’re already dead or arrested. How do you reconcile that?

Come stand NOW. We need to know that when the day comes, you aren’t hiding out somewhere waiting for us to go down so you can decide whether it’s bad enough to stand up. When that day comes, we need to be able to look to our left and right and already see you there.

THAT is what this fight requires. That is what liberty demands.

Yesterday, standing on federal property, I looked around and I saw enemy everywhere. But I also saw people who would have given their lives in a heartbeat, who understand the cost and are willing to pay it next week, tomorrow, or two seconds from now. Yesterday is now part of history, and our children will remember the days that their parents stood. They will tell their children later that this is how it is done. That liberty can NEVER be allowed to fall, even if it means that every single one of us does.

We will not comply. Not today, not tomorrow, and not even if our blood pools on the ground.

You have our word.

It is evident that no one in responsible authority got my message about potential blowback from a light-switch operation to spook operations in the Northwest. -

Motivating me to pick up the cudgel of the PATCON scandal would also be directly counterproductive to the FBI. It is equally evident that they don't care.-

-The thoughtless federal thugs are moving to some conclusion that they will, in the end, find laden with unintended consequences.

No big surprise to us, but Bill Morlin of SPLC was at the Liberty for All rally. The US Marshal's Service issues threats by way of SPLC. A reminder that the One Hundred Heads Life and Casualty Company has a group policy on Liberty for All.

Bill Morlin, SPLC toady, former hack "journalist" and intimate friend of the FBI and ATF.

I knew about this ahead of time (you may recall I mentioned it here:

5. I also know that it is reported by sources that the Southern Poverty Law Center has (again, just like Elohim City in the pre-OKC bombing days) its own snitches in place in Spokane who are seeking to work their way into the ranks of the armed civil disobedience movement. They are also researching a big hit piece on the WA state activists. The timing of that "expose" will tell us much.

We received this confirmation by email after the event:

Facts not mentioned in info about the rally at U.S. Courthouse was the fact that Bill Morlin from the Southern Poverty Law Center was on scene. I know him for when he was a reporter for the Spokesman Review and talked to him on site. He went to work for them a few years ago. Just thought you would like to know.

Here is his "report": "Armed Protesters March on Federal Courthouse in Washington."

Morlin's usual M.O. is to sidle up to participants without identifying himself (or to say he is a "journalist" which of course is a lie now that he's working for SPLC) and goad them into making incendiary comments. This usually works with neoNazis and other weak-minded fools, but apparently he couldn't use that to great effect on us. Or perhaps he was just keeping his distance because he expected federal-inspired violence. He sounds positively dispirited with this observation:

It wasn’t immediately known what caused federal authorities to balk and not allow the protest in spite of the issuance of a court order on Monday by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson. A public notice released Thursday by U.S. Attorney Mike Ormsby and U.S, Marshal Craig Thayer said anyone coming on the plaza or attempting to enter the courthouse with weapons or firearms would be subject to arrest for contempt of court and violating federal law.

However, it would seem from this comment at SPLC that there is a fall-back plan. One "Joel Lawler bwd1967" writes:

My friend at the USMS tells me that they have clear pictures of every swingin' Richard that entered the plaza carrying a weapon, and that arrests pursuant to 18 U.S.C ss 900 will be made in the near future on an individual basis to protect the public and the arresting officers. Sounds like a sensible plan to me.

Of course, the One Hundred Heads Life and Casualty Company has a group policy on all members of Liberty for All. So I guess anytime the United States Marshal's Service feels froggy. . .

LATER: I left a comment there which I will repeat here since i doubt it lasts long: "Mike Vanderboegh to Joel Lawler: Nice way to start a civil war courtesy of the 100 Heads Life and Casualty Company."

U.S. Marshal's Service: Risking Civil War From A Failure of Institutional Memory. Bundy Ranch -- only with bullets this time.

Institutional memory is a collective set of facts, concepts, experiences and know-how held by a group of people. As it transcends the individual, it requires the ongoing transmission of these memories between members of this group. Elements of institutional memory may be found in corporations, professional groups, government bodies, religious groups, academic collaborations, and by extension in entire cultures. Institutional memory may be encouraged to preserve an ideology or way of work in such a group. Conversely, institutional memory may be ingrained to the point that it becomes hard to challenge if something is found to contradict that which was previously thought to have been correct. Institutional memory may have influence on organizational identity, choice of individuals, and actions of the individuals interacting with the institution. -- Wikipedia.

I was talking over the current situation in Washington state with a friend yesterday, specifically this gem of a comment found at the SPLC website:

My friend at the USMS tells me that they have clear pictures of every swingin' Richard that entered the plaza carrying a weapon, and that arrests pursuant to 18 U.S.C ss 900 will be made in the near future on an individual basis to protect the public and the arresting officers. Sounds like a sensible plan to me.

My comment at the time was "Of course, the One Hundred Heads Life and Casualty Company has a group policy on all members of Liberty for All. So I guess anytime the United States Marshal's Service feels froggy. . ."

The problem, we agreed, is that those of us who were in the liberty movement in the 90s have, collectively, a much longer and thus better institutional memory than the United States Marshal's Service. As the citation above makes plain, institutional memory can save, or destroy, an organization. The problem is that most USMS (and FBI, and ATF, and, most especially DHS) employees date their own memories (and their agencies' institutional memories) from 11 September 2001. Subsequent to that, most of them probably got a little experience in Iraq and Afghanistan with the beating up on the Hadjis and then came home to apply the same techniques in the by now long-militarized federal law enforcement. (Note the tricks related by Anthony Bosworth after his "rendition" in this radio interview.)

Oh, the Marshals may vaguely remember their agency's sanitized version of the death of US Marshal Degan at the beginning of the Weaver Siege, but they have no memory of the rise of the militia movement and the cold war we waged with the their masters the Clintonistas for the rest of the decade. The reinvigoration of that movement, the voluntary arming of a much greater number of citizens responding to Obama administration depredations, the rise of the We Will Not Comply movement and the implications that has -- all these things are not viewed in the context that knowledge of the 90s provides, if they are considered at all.

Oh, the response of the armed citizenry at Bundy Ranch got their attention briefly. But no one fired at Bundy Ranch. The feds wisely backed down. However, what is threatened in the above comment at the SPLC, if we take him at his word that this reflects USMS intentions, will initiate another Bundy Ranch -- only with bullets this time. That is not a threat. It is a dispassionate observation based upon a study of history and our own institutional memory, which includes a much more perfect understanding of the federal militarized police establishment than they have of us. (You must also credit the disinformation of the SPLC as a contributing factor in that as well, for the FedGov parrots their line at the highest levels.)

My fervent wish is that some adults in the room at the middle-management levels of the USMS recall now from the dim recesses of their memories and inform both their superiors and their subordinates that they may be working from defective institutional memory and thus taking decisions based upon false assumptions. For a raid (or raids) on Anthony Bosworth and the other activists of Liberty for All, based upon a federal judge's chapped ass caused by the defiance of her edict which is, at best, dubious in law, could certainly touch off a much greater response on the part of an outraged armed citizenry than anyone now receiving a federal paycheck would expect -- and not just in Washington state. It doesn't take a crystal ball to see that, just an operational and accurate institutional memory.

SPLC chatter predicts arrests of Spokane liberty activists


March 9, 2015 11:11 AM MST

by David Codrea

A courageous individual, demanding recognition of his rights, stands in defiance against the awesome power of a state intent on crushing any who challenge it.
Maria Bosworth

In spite of federal law enforcement officials shaking his hand and telling liberty activist Anthony Bosworth they appreciated his leadership in keeping a Friday armed rally at a federal building in Spokane peaceful and orderly, now that the protesters have dispersed, they may be “swatted” one-by-one for defying a federal judge’s last-minute order banning guns on complex grounds. That’s a not-implausible expectation voiced under a post by former “investigative reporter with a special emphasis on ... extremist groups” Bill Morlin, who presented his recap of the rally on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “HateWatch” blog.

That SPLC categorized the group of protesters as haters in the first place fits into its standard practice of smearing Bill of Rights-promoting activists by conflating them with violence-initiating bigots and subversives. The tactic has paid off for the group, with the Department of Homeland Security essentially partnering with SPLC to profile Americans who believe in the Constitution as “domestic threats.”

An SPLC presence at the rally was no surprise. Mike Vanderboegh of Sipsey Street Irregulars had predicted it. Also no surprise are some of the comments under Morlin’s report, one in particular claiming U.S. Marshal sources plan on arresting identified participants on an individual basis.

That is a possibility I discussed with Vanderboegh before the rally, and highlights a real fear that has the potential to move those holding irreconcilable positions closer to conflict. A federal judge who threatened contempt charges in her order has been defied. If that is not followed through with enforcement, her edict will have been flouted in a most public and visible way, and her position, ego and anger give strong personal incentive to demand obedience at all costs. So expect those in charge of federal enforcement – and those who enthusiastically follow their orders – to ensure their monopoly of violence authority cannot be successfully challenged by mere upstart citizens.

If arrests are made, expect rules of engagement to treat targets as armed and dangerous, so that any encounters will be planned to surprise and overwhelm, and also to demoralize others from attempting similar future acts of defiance. Expect guns to be confiscated from those arrested, and the media to fully exploit the potential to gin up public fears by displaying “arsenals.” Expect "child protective services" to wield power if it can. Expect prosecutors to bring the full power of the state, with all of its resources, down on people with limited means to defend themselves, and to economically cripple defendants with asset forfeiture if it looks like they intend to try. Expect homes to be foreclosed on, or evictions from rental units, when incomes are cut off and breadwinners are no longer free to earn them. Expect sentences to be severe to set an example of what anyone who defies the state can look forward to.

And expect some, seeing this, to know that “shall not be infringed” is a meaningless phrase unless accompanied with an unbending commitment to see the words are honored in spite of personal costs. And that is where things can really get precipitous, if ramping up enforcement produces the unintended consequence of corresponding resistance by those who fully understand that, and not just in Spokane.

Governor,

When you took the office of governor of the State of Washington, you held up your hand and took an oath to uphold the Constitution of our great state. Included in that is the protection of citizens and their rights. In short, you took an oath to stand for the liberty secured by the WA State Constitution.

Article I of that document states that “All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.” That consent is and always has been contingent upon the willingness of said government to protect and guard the rights of the people, because that is the entire purpose of government.

Currently the state and federal governments are seeking to control and enslave the people through denial of their rights. You are doing nothing to stop it.

Article II of that document reaffirms the Constitution of the United States as the supreme law of the land. Your oath to uphold the State constitution includes adherence to that statement. You are not upholding this oath.

Article III of the WA State Constitution states that “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” Recently a WA state citizen was illegally arrested by the federal government and denied his liberty. His property was taken from him and has not been returned. Every single one of his rights secured by both the federal and state constitutions was violated. You have done nothing.

As governor of the state of Washington, it is your duty and your calling to serve the people of this state and protect their rights, whether you agree with their politics or not, whether you like them as people or not. Anthony Bosworth’s arrest was illegal, as evidenced by the rules being (illegally) changed after his arrest to reflect what the federal government originally arrested him for. His property was confiscated. He was kept in a steel cage for hours with no access to an attorney as promised by the Constitution, and interrogated for hours by federal agents, who laughed at his assertion of his rights.

It does not matter what your position is on guns, or whether you like Anthony Bosworth as a person. His rights were violated, and this happened on your watch. The Constitutions that you swore to uphold were violated before your very eyes by the federal government, and nothing has been done.

After the peaceful and calm protest of these violations at the federal courthouse in Spokane last week, the Southern Poverty Law Center—which has partnered with the Department of Homeland Security to help decide who’s an “extremist”—wrote an article predicting the arrest of Liberty for All members, including Anthony Bosworth, his wife Maria, Sam Wilson, and myself.

What is our crime? The exercise of rights protected—not granted—by the WA State Constitution and that of the United States of America. The exercise of rights you promised to uphold when you took office. We dare to speak of liberty, we dare to stand against tyranny, and now we are being threatened with the same fate that Anthony has already undergone once.

We, the patriots of Washington, appeal to you now. We want no fight. We want no conflict. We wish to be left alone in peace, to raise our families and live in liberty. We ask that you stand with us and stop this violation of our rights, as is your duty. Under no circumstances do we seek violence, nor will we start violence. We are not, in any way, “anti-government” as the SPLC claims. We simply demand that the government adhere to its Constitutional limits, protecting and maintaining the rights of the governed.

Please understand this: We will not comply with these continued infringements. We will no longer be controlled and have our rights violated. There is no more compromise. If an inch of liberty is taken from us, we will take back a mile. Because of this, we face persecution, arrest, and even death.

You can stop this from happening. It is your job to stop this from happening, by upholding your oath to the Constitution.

If you do not stand up now, patriots in your state will be arrested by an out of control federal government seeking to quash the liberty movement. If that happens, there will be a reaction among We the People that will have a ripple effect far outside Washington State. At that point, you will be complicit in the beginning of a civil war. That is not something any of us want.

We appeal to you as a father, a husband, as a man who has taken a solemn oath to protect and defend the rights of the people of Washington. You govern by our consent. If you would like to keep that consent, then we ask you to stand up for the people you serve. Regardless of your political position, the people have rights that must be protected.

We await and expect your public reply within 3 days. If we have not heard from you by that time, we will accept that your position is in agreement with those who wish to criminally enslave the people of Washington State.

Signed,

Kit Lange
Anthony Bosworth
Maria Bosworth
Sam Wilson
and the patriots of Liberty for All

Originally posted by Archangel1:
So what will they do in 3 days? Nash their teeth and raise the curved hands showing their finger nails? (...)