May 17, 2008

"People should not be afraid of their governments,
governments should be afraid of their People"

Freedom Requires Bravery

In the 2006 futuristic movie "V for Vendetta," the protagonist protester of the film, "V", begins his open defiance of the tyrannical government by hijacking a television studio and broadcasting his message of rebellion declaring, "Truth is, there's something terribly wrong with this country." 

He's right. There is. 

In the movie's final climactic scene, the masses, all wearing the masked costume of famed English revolutionary Guy Fawkes, assemble in a dystopian downtown London marching directly, and non-violently, against the ultimately disorientated forces of the government.

WTP Right-to-Petition DC protest, March, 2007

As part of WTP’s Give Me Liberty conference of March 2007, and taking strong cues from the political elements of the movie, a large number of WTP supporters donned the identical "V" costumes used in the movie, and assembled directly in front of the White House holding large billboard-size banners, proclaiming, “Dear Government, Obey the Constitution -- or else…" and “No Answers, NO Taxes". 

The purpose of the masks and costumes was to give expression (protected by the First Amendment’s guarantee of Free Speech) to the fact that America was becoming a Police State.

The participants stood in silent protest of the Government's refusal to respond to the People's Petitions for Redress of Grievances. The next day, the Washington Post published a short story & photo, noting the First Amendment issues behind the very unique protest.

Just two days later, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit against Bob Schulz and the WTP organization, claiming their Petitions for Redress constituted an unlawful "abusive tax shelter" in violation of “Section 6700 of the Internal Revenue Code.” The Government sought to enjoin WTP from distributing their Petition for Redress of Grievances containing highly damaging legal research regarding the (alleged) authority of the Government to impose mandatory wage withholding upon ordinary American workers. The case is still under appeal.
 
Click here to read what the editorial board of Bob Schulz’s hometown newspaper (the Glens Falls Post Star) had to say in a recent editorial criticizing the U.S. District Court's decision against WTP, implicating the larger First Amendment issues at stake in the case.

Click for video:   "V"s  rebellion broadcast from the movie   (We strongly recommend this movie!)
                        WTP's "V" confronts D.C.
    

Fundraiser Posters Now Available!

As a fund raiser, we are now making available a high-resolution, full-color poster marking WTP’s historic “V” the DC protest event. Each poster is professionally printed on 80# pound, high gloss cover stock.  The "16 x 20" posters are suitable for framing and are shipped in a sturdy shipping tube.  Click here to make a donation to receive this historic poster. Posters are $30 each, or (5) five for $100. Click here for a larger preview. Please help support our organization. Order your posters today.