Liberty activist Adam Kokesh released his manifesto, FREEDOM! July 4, 2014, a book that explains how it is possible to create a more productive, less authoritarian society by eliminating the overreach of government.
In recent weeks, someone ordered a copy of his book from his website for an inmate who is currently being held in a prison in the U.S. However, according to a press release posted on Kokesh’s Facebook page, authorities at the prison apparently rejected the title.
As stated by the press release, on April 14, Kokesh’s publisher, The FREEDOM! Line, received a letter from the U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Prisons stating that the book was “unacceptable” and could not be allowed inside the institution.
Outlawing freedom
“The above-referenced publication which you recently mailed has been determined unacceptable for the reason(s) indicated below: This publication contains information which poses a threat to security, good order, or discipline of the institution,” said the letter.
The letter further states that there is an appeals process, and Kokesh said he plans to utilize it. However, the letter, he said, appears to have been intentionally delayed; it was dated March 25, and it states that there is only a 20-day window for appeal.
“I plan to appeal, but I’m not sure I disagree with their assessment,” he said. “This book is not just a threat to the institution where it was sent, but to the entire institution of government. The truth is a threat to every institution founded on lies.
“As has been well established by legal precedent, this kind of censorship is illegal, but not surprising,” he continued. “However, I am flattered by the government’s endorsement of my book. The great irony is that the foundation of FREEDOM! is nonviolence. The horrific absurdity is that the Obama administration wants you to think a hundred page book about philosophy is a threat when it has been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent children with drone strikes.”
Kokesh, an Iraq war vet who was part of U.S. Marine Corps Civil Affairs Team in Fallujah in 2004, is currently on probation after being convicted of violating Washington, D.C., gun laws for loading a shotgun in “Freedom” Plaza two blocks from the White House (despite our Constitution stating that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”) — an incident which he videoed and then uploaded to YouTube.
As a convicted felon currently on probation, any violation of the law could result in a two-year prison sentence. However, Kokesh is still producing YouTube videos on a daily basis and is currently traveling the United States on The American Campfire FREEDOM! Tour to promote his book.
The book is open-source and can be downloaded for free in every digital format including audiobook at TheFreedomLine.com.
Kokesh’s arrest seemed somewhat selective at the time.
Double standards
On July 10, 2013, Kokesh’s home was raided by police SWAT teams using armored vehicles after he led an open-carry of firearms protest in Washington, D.C. Police used a flash-bang grenade prior to entering his home.
“Numerous police vehicles, including a light armored vehicle and two low-flying helicopters barricaded Adam’s street. More than 20 armored SWAT team members surrounded the house, as well as a number of detectives, and plainclothes officers,” said a press release at the time.
“Assault rifles were aimed on all members of the team as they were handcuffed without being told why they were detained,” the release continued. “Masked and armored police in full ‘Storm Trooper’ gear flooded in and ransacked the residence. The team was cordoned in a front room, while Adam was pulled aside for questioning.”
Interestingly, in the emotion-packed days following the mass killing of innocent children by a prescription-drug-crazed kid in Newtown, Conn., NBC News journalist David Gregory held up a 30-round ammunition magazine for an AR-15 rifle during a live broadcast from the nation’s capital — the same kind of weapon used in the Newtown shootings. Such “high-capacity” magazines are illegal to possess in Washington, D.C.
Police did not raid Gregory’s home and, in fact, he was never even charged with a crime.
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