Adam Kokesh, a pro-gun activist and libertarian radio host who attracted scrutiny earlier this month for calling his supporters to march on Washington, D.C. with illegally displayed firearms, has decided that such a demonstration isn't sufficient. In a statement released last week, Kokesh ramped up his calls for action, urging supporters to take part in a "new American revolution" at state capitols nationwide on July 4.
"This revolution has been brewing in the hearts and minds of the people for many years, but this Independence Day, it shall take a new form as the American Revolutionary Army will march on each state capital to demand that the governors of these 50 states immediately initiate the process of an orderly dissolution of the federal government through secession and reclamation of federally held property," Kokesh wrote, before appearing to suggest that there could soon be a time to trade in the calls for non-violent protest in favor of something more extreme. "Should one whole year from this July 4th pass while the crimes of this government are allowed to continue, we may have passed the point at which non-violent revolution becomes impossible."
He later read the manifesto on his radio program, after being released from jail. He had been held after an arrest on charges of assaulting a federal officer at a marijuana rally earlier this month. In a Facebook post, Kokesh claimed to have had the charges reduced to citations before being discharged from jail.
Kokesh's statement continued, suggesting that the time for solving problems through "democratic means" has passed.
“While there is risk in drastic action, the greater danger lies in allowing this government to continue unchallenged," he said. "So if you are content with the status quo, stay home, get fat, watch the fireworks from a safe distance, and allow this Independence Day to pass like any other. But if you see as we see, and feel as we feel, we will see you on the front lines of freedom on July 4th, 2013 for this, The Final American Revolution.”
Kokesh has since taken to the fringe, anti-government radio circuit to promote his new event. As Media Matters reports, he discussed his plans with Pete Santilli, the host who recently drew Secret Service attention for comments about wanting to shoot Hillary Clinton "in the vagina." Kokesh also appeared this week on the radio program of renowned conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, where he noted that individual demonstrators could decide for themselves whether they wanted to carry weapons during the march.
"This revolution has been brewing in the hearts and minds of the people for many years, but this Independence Day, it shall take a new form as the American Revolutionary Army will march on each state capital to demand that the governors of these 50 states immediately initiate the process of an orderly dissolution of the federal government through secession and reclamation of federally held property," Kokesh wrote, before appearing to suggest that there could soon be a time to trade in the calls for non-violent protest in favor of something more extreme. "Should one whole year from this July 4th pass while the crimes of this government are allowed to continue, we may have passed the point at which non-violent revolution becomes impossible."
He later read the manifesto on his radio program, after being released from jail. He had been held after an arrest on charges of assaulting a federal officer at a marijuana rally earlier this month. In a Facebook post, Kokesh claimed to have had the charges reduced to citations before being discharged from jail.
Kokesh's statement continued, suggesting that the time for solving problems through "democratic means" has passed.
“While there is risk in drastic action, the greater danger lies in allowing this government to continue unchallenged," he said. "So if you are content with the status quo, stay home, get fat, watch the fireworks from a safe distance, and allow this Independence Day to pass like any other. But if you see as we see, and feel as we feel, we will see you on the front lines of freedom on July 4th, 2013 for this, The Final American Revolution.”
Kokesh has since taken to the fringe, anti-government radio circuit to promote his new event. As Media Matters reports, he discussed his plans with Pete Santilli, the host who recently drew Secret Service attention for comments about wanting to shoot Hillary Clinton "in the vagina." Kokesh also appeared this week on the radio program of renowned conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, where he noted that individual demonstrators could decide for themselves whether they wanted to carry weapons during the march.
