By Kat Kanning

Sam Dodson of Keene, NH fights for our freedoms. He was arrested on April 13th of this year for filming in a public courthouse lobby. Although Dodson gave police all the information required by law, he was held in jail for 58 days for refusing to give his legal name. On June 12th, Sam was abruptly released. He was tossed out of the Cheshire County Jail so quickly, that his jailers did not even bother to retrieve the jail clothing from Dodson.

How did imprisonment affect Dodson? He spent the first month of his confinement on a hunger strike. Sam wrote his supporters from jail:

I know many of you disagree with my hunger strike, and want me to eat. While I have explained some of the reasons for my hunger strike let me share some more. When I was at my grandfather’s house, he had a few wild cats in his shop. I decided to catch one of the kittens, so I blocked off the exits, donned a pair of leather gloves, and set to work. This cat had never been touched by a human hand.

When I finally caught him, the poor creature screamed for its life. He kicked and clawed, unsure of his fate, and bit right through my leather gloves and into the side of my finger (top and bottom). I treated Tiger well, and I would like to think he had a better life until he died years later, convulsing in my arms, from feline leukemia. Taking away the freedom of another creature is not something that should be taken lightly. It bears a great responsibility and pledges my duty, honor, and integrity to care for the creature.

When the Keene area bureaucrats restricted my liberties, they entered into a similar agreement. I will not sit idly by, a good little cooperative prisoner, while they violate their own laws, their integrity, and yes, their word of honor. If you want to see me eat, then be the difference. Be honorable. Hold integrity. Keep your word. Because changing you is what changes the world.

In the 1700s slave ships were equipped with lock jaw devices to force feed slaves who would rather die free, than submit to slavery. Today the lock jaw has been replaced with feeding tubes, bed rails, handcuffs, and straight jackets. The underlying system of slavery however, remains alive and well.

The abundance of time in jail left Dodson free to develop his own mind and also to attempt to help his fellow prisoners.

I have everything I need in here now, and I’m reading lots of books. Commissary came in Friday so I no longer need to trade meals for anything. The question of what to do with them has been on my mind. I’ve decided to offer them in return for random acts of kindness.

Laramie, a guy who called in a bomb threat to divert police from a planned bank robbery, came by asking for breakfast. I told him I would trade it for a random act of kindness. Laramie looked perplexed and couldn’t think of anything saying, “This is like a pay it forward thing right?” I said yes, something like that. Breakfast came and went, my tray went back in the stack uneaten.

Nobody asked for lunch so I eventually gave it to a new guy who came in speaking very negatively, but has since toned it down. I thanked him for sweeping and mopping the day room (which he did to turn on the TV). He seemed surprised and grateful, it was a fulfilling experience for me.

Allan came by earlier asking for dinner, inquiring about my unusual trade. I asked him what do you have to offer? He replied, “I don’t know. I’ve given away everything I had left (from commissary).” I smiled and asked, “What can you give of yourself?” He had no idea, and after struggling with this for a while I suggested he find 3 people to acknowledge. He’s been here 4 months and could only think of 1 person out over over 20 to say something nice to. I asked him to think about that, and his interactions with others. After exploring this a while he acknowledged me for standing up for marijuana and speaking out about it and everything the free staters are doing. Now he’s getting it! I told him that’s one, two to go.

Allan walked down the hall to Scott’s cage and told him how much he appreciated his help and friendliness. It was very heartfelt and wonderful to hear them talk.

The third one was tough. He came back to my cage several times saying there was nobody else he could think of anything good to say about them. I only asked him questions that had him reflect on his statements to me. Eventually he came back complete. He thanked one of the prisoners for beating up one of the other prisoners!

I asked him if he thought that was a positive attribute - resorting to violence - given that’s what government does, and that’s the reasons we’re here. He agreed, but asked if it was good enough. I told Allan we would decide when it was complete.

I asked him if he felt the spirit and intention of the exercise had been fulfilled. I reminded him the way he does this exercise is the same way he takes on challenges in life. He could cheat, but he’s only cheating himself. Allan struggled with this a while longer and agreed he was not complete.

After another 10 minutes, he acknowledged another prisoner Chris for controlling his anger over the last month. (I’ve been talking to Chris too) It wasn’t taken very well, but I could see the sense of accomplishment in Allan, who has been homeless and addicted to crack.

I asked Allan what he learned, the final requirement. He said it was hard for him to find good things to say about people. I asked him how many people he pushes out of his life because he focuses on the negative aspects or the things he doesn’t like about them instead of finding something to appreciate about them. It gave Allan something to think about, I felt great, and it was the bet trade I’ve made for a meal yet!

The First Amendment to the Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” This is the freedom that Sam sought to protect, not just for himself, but for everyone's benefit. He told Free Minds TV, “I had every right to do what I was there doing and this arrest was unlawful and I didn't feel like participating and granting legitimacy to what they were doing to me. The system is really...if you don't cooperate with the system, if you don't give them what they want, then they don't care about your rights. You only have rights if you participate.” Toby Iselin of Free Minds Radio commented, “They're holding you like an enemy combatant and waiting for you to cooperate with them.”

Following Dodson's appearance on Fox News' Liberty Watch, he wrote, “I heard about an email Shelly Roche sent out to 20,000 Break The Matrix viewers, that was titled 'The Camera Is the New Gun.' That’s such a true statement. Cameras combined with new technology and the power of the internet is reshaping society in the same way the printing press reshaped society in ways few peasants could even imagine.

From his jail cell, he wrote, “This is a horrendously ineffective system, and there is a better way. (Keene Police Prosecutor) Rivera is probably not losing any sleep, nor is he much different than any other police officer or prosecutor. He works for a monopoly, remember? Well to be fair, it’s not just a monopoly; it’s the most important one. It’s the one all others depend upon to retain their government created monopoly. It’s the monopoly on the legitimate use and initiation of force. Despite all of its propaganda, government at its core is simply a group of men and women who are willing to use force to achieve their means, for their ends are often lost in a quagmire of unintended consequences. The result is simply a system of subjugation and control, that grows larger and more out of control with each passing year.”

What did others have to say about Sam's imprisonment? Roger Grant said, “Most people are unaware of what goes on in the courts and the jails of this country. The freedom movement activists are helping to shine the light of public awareness where few dare tread. The resistance to unjust laws and the arbitrary power of judges is growing. I welcome these efforts and thank those who have sacrificed their liberties.” Judge Napolitano of Fox News' Freedom watch commended him, saying, “Sam Dodson, you're the incarnation of courage and patriotism and freedom. You're suffering so that a lot of good people might not have to suffer in the future.”

What were the effects of Sam's willingness to stand up for his rights? Cameras are now allowed in the Keene courtroom and lobby. Russell Kanning pointed out how this has made it easier for other activists who will stand up against injustice in the future. Dodson himself said, “New Hampshire has started taking political prisoners because they're scared of what the Free State Project is beginning to accomplish. I've got a stack of at least 10 letters from people saying they are going to move to NH because of what I've done here.”