From Keene Free Press

Despite being surrounded by federal thugs in early June, despite tanks and helicopters around their property, despite having a friend shot at and arrested, despite having phone and electricity cut off, Ed and Elaine Brown persevere in their simple quest, asking the government to show them the law which requires them to pay federal income taxes. The federal government has been unable to show the Browns the law. Instead they have responded with violence and theft. During the early June raid on the Browns, Elaine's businessplace in West Lebanon was seized. Still, the Browns continue to stand up for their rights.

Supporters continue to rally around the couple. On June 21st, freestaters and other supporters gathered at Gunstock Resort for a candlelight vigil asking the federal government to leave the Browns alone. About 25 people attended the solemn event, holding signs that read, "Dear feds, please don't hurt the browns," and "Federal bullies, leave the Browns alone." Supporters shared a moment of silence to envision a world where there would be no more violence such as the feds have done against the Browns.

Earlier in the week, Randy Weaver, survivor of the brutal attack by the feds at Ruby Ridge, has joined Ed and Elaine in their Plainfield home. Weaver felt it was important to come to Plainfield and show his support of the Browns because the federal government has killed and robbed so many while trying to enforce non-laws. In his own case, Weaver was accused of sawing off a shotgun too short, while the Browns are being persecuted for non-existent tax laws. After relating the bloody story of how federal agents shot his son and wife, Weaver somewhat tearfully explained that he had joined the Browns because, "If this gets out of control, it could happen here," - meaning more bloody murder by the feds. He had no specific advice for the Browns, just wanted it to be known that he supports them 100%. Speaking on the current situation with an imminent attack on the Browns, Randy told reporters that, "When you get so angry you lose your fear, that's where we're at." It was his hope that people could learn the truth about there being no law requiring the average American to pay income tax, and he hopes that people will find the courage to stand up against an out of control government, as Ed and Elaine Brown are doing. Weaver gave a quote from his uncle, "Government is like a garden. It needs to be weeded once in a while." When he returned home to Arkansas, Weaver found that men in black uniforms and with black SUVs were prowling around his property. The FBI and local sheriff's department said they didn't know who they were.

Others beside Weaver are taking a closer look at the Brown situation, following the violent attempted raid on the Brown's home in early June. At a recent rally in support of the Browns in Keene, a resident who read about the astounding display of force used against an elderly couple in his state, joined the rally because he was so disgusted by the way the federal government handled the situation. The use of tanks and helicopters, implements of war, against a dentist and her husband - that was too much for this one young man. I myself, having met Elaine Brown for the first time today, was shocked at the mental image of this motherly, gentle lady in chains or behind bars. It's absurd to consider her a threat to society, needing to be locked up for the protection of the rest of us.

Elaine attempted to explain to reporters why they do not pay income taxes. The Browns have repeatedly asked the IRS to show them the law which requires them to pay the tax. To date, the IRS has refused to answer this simple question, either to the Browns or numerous others who have asked the same question. Elaine explained how Joe Banister while working as a Special Agent in the IRS Enforcement Division began researching claims about the lack of a law requiring people to pay an income tax. It was his intent to show these people the law, but after years of research, he failed to find a law. When he brought these findings to his superiors, he was asked to resign from the IRS. Such a law does not exist because it is forbidden by the Constitution. The Browns encourage everyone who wishes to know more about the income tax to watch Aaron Russo's movie, Freedom to Fascism (freedomtofascism.com), which is available on the internet.

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© 2007 Kat Kanning

From Keene Free Press