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Message from Stewart Rhodes:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED IN QUARTZSITE
This past weekend, Oath Keepers marched in Quartzsite, along with the Sons of Liberty Riders, the Greater Phoenix Tea Party Patriots, Arizona Campaign for Liberty, Riders USA, and many other groups. We went there to support ten stand-up police officers who kept their oaths by refusing to obey orders that violated the rights of the people. And that is exactly what we did. We marched to the Quartzsite Town Hall and presented the “Quartzsite Ten” police officers with certificates recognizing them for honoring and keeping their oaths to defend the Constitution. Each was also presented with a silver Oath Keepers challenge coin. Officer William Ponce accepted the awards for those officers who could not be there, and said a few words to the crowd about the critical importance of the oath. He spoke of how he had taken that oath first in military service, and then as a peace officer, and told the audience that he, and the other officers, take it very seriously. He also spoke after the march, with several other officers joining him on the stage.
We also honored Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster and local liberty activists Jennifer Jones and Michael Roth, all of whom have risked arrest and other forms of retaliation, while refusing to back down in their fight for transparency in government and respect for the free speech rights of the people.
Joining us on our march were current serving Arizona Representatives Carl Seel and Judy Burges. Both attended the awards ceremony, and both spoke after the march, emphasizing the critical importance of transparency in government, the keeping of the oath, and the need for the state of Arizona to serve as a guardian of the rights of the people. They had an opportunity to meet with and talk to some of the “Quartzsite Ten” police officers as well as with Mayor Foster, Jennifer Jones, and Michael Roth. It was great to see state legislators taking the time to come and see for themselves what has been going on in Quartzsite, and we hope this is the beginning of further inquiry and action by the Arizona legislature in this matter. It is critical that sate officials in all three branches keep their own oaths to defend the Constitution of the United States and their state constitution by serving as a guardian of the rights of the people against abuse by local officials and officers. As our Declaration of Independence made clear, the only legitimate purpose of government is to secure our rights, and if one level of government is abusing our rights, it is incumbent on the next level to investigate and to take action to stop the abuse.
After the march, we had a wonderful celebration of liberty with several excellent speakers, including Tony Martinez, the Founder of the Sons of Liberty Riders, Ernest Hancock of Freedom’s Phoenix (who also live streamed the event), Mayor Ed Foster, Jennifer Jones, Michael Roth, Officer William Ponce, and many others. And we also enjoyed the amazing music of the talented patriot musician, Jordan Page.
Though the heat was punishing, and the march in 110 degrees was a definite gut check, those who were there had no regrets and we would all do it again. As for Oath Keepers, we had a strong showing from our Nevada and California Chapters. And we had Oath Keepers from as far away as Alaska, Montana, and even Florida! We also had the pleasure of meeting a large contingent from New Mexico, who will be helping us in that state in the future. Considering how short the notice was, and how brutally hot it was, we had a very successful liberty gathering and we look forward to doing it again.
It is critical that we stand up in support of police and military who do the right thing by keeping their oaths, just as it is critical that we stand up and hold them accountable when they don’t (as we did in Tucson). Here, in Quartzsite, we have ten good police officers, ten stand up Americans, and we were most honored to meet them, shake their hands, look them in the eye, and hear their story. They give us great hope for the future. We encourage you to get to know them by watching the videos of their public statements, and we encourage you to seek out the good officers in your own community. They are there. Find them, and give them your support and back them up when they do what is right. Encourage them to keep their oaths, and as part of YOU keeping your own oath, be ready to stand with them when the chips are down.
Hooah!
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The ParkerLive Online newspaper has done a really good coverage of our Quartzsite muster and march, with excellent pictures. Here is the article itself, but please go to their site for their collection of pics -- here is one example, courtesy of ParkerLive Online:
Quartzsite_ParkerLiveOnline
Saturday’s Quartzsite Liberty Festival made its mark on Quartzsite Saturday as planned, despite temperatures of 114 to 117 degrees.
The rally was arranged to protest the actions of the town’s council and police chief, most conspicuously the treatment of Quartzsite police officers who were suspended or fired in what the protestors say was retaliation for bringing formal allegations against Chief Jeff Gilbert.
Marchers chanted “Quartzsite Ten, oath-keeping men” as they walked over 2.5 miles from an RV park south of I-10, over the freeway bridge and along the streets of Quartzsite to Town Hall.
Several politically active groups were in attendance, including Oath Keepers, the Tea Party Patriots, the Sons of Liberty Riders and campaigners for Ron Paul for President 2012.
Many attendees carried flags, banners and signs. Some were armed with pistols or rifles, and cameras of all sorts. Law enforcement and other authorities were largely absent from the demonstration.
Chilled water bottles were available to the heat-weary crowd, and Grubstake bar and restaurant was flooded with people during a stop-off along the route. Some were seen pouring water over their heads. Others’ clothing appeared to be almost entirely soaked with sweat.
Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster said people had flown in from around the United States for the rally, from states as far and wide as Alaska, Florida, Texas and Connecticut. “I live here and I’m having a hard time in this heat, so I know, for these people from [colder states], it’s gotta be tough on them”, he said.
Local activist Jennifer Jones, the video of whose arrest at a public meeting provoked outrage on the internet, said the people had braved the weather to send a strong message about the importance of liberty.
Standing in front of the doors of the council chambers that she was hauled out of months earlier, Jones told a cheering crowd, “God bless each and every one of you for coming and standing with the citizens of this town today. Right is right and wrong is wrong, and the rule of law applies to everyone.”
Among the speakers at the event were Arizona State Legislators Carl Seel and Judy Burges, and Libertarian Party activist Barry Hess.
-end article by the Parker Live Online- (please see pics at above link) -
Oath Keepers wishes to thank Ernest Hancock of Freedom’s Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona, for getting Jordan Page to the event, and we thank Jordan for carrying the load with entertainment.
Oath Keepers also wishes to salute Vito, of Vito’s RV Park, for an outstanding effort to host our gathering on Friday and Saturday, August 26 and 27, 2011. Anyone traveling I-10 between Phoenix and Los Angeles, please drop by Vito’s and meet an outstanding Patriot.
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