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Adam Kokesh

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Adam Kokesh
Adam Kokesh in 2013.
BornAdam Charles Kokesh
(1982-02-01) February 1, 1982 (age 42)
San Francisco, California, US
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican (2010)
MovementLibertarian, Anti-war
Military career
Service / branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1999–2007
RankCorporal
Unit3rd Civil Affairs Group
Battles / warsIraq War
WebsiteOfficial website

Adam Charles Kokesh (born February 1, 1982) is an American voluntaryist anti-war activist. Kokesh has called for a "new American revolution" to disband the federal government of the United States. Kokesh was a corporal in the United States Marine Corps and is a veteran of the Iraq War. Starting in 2007, he became a member and leading proponent of Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Personal background

Kokesh was born on February 1, 1982, in San Francisco, California. He is the son of Charles Kokesh, a Santa Fe businessman and former owner of the defunct Santa Fe Horse Park. While Kokesh is Jewish, he is an outspoken atheist.

Kokesh attended the Native American Preparatory School in San Ysidro, New Mexico, and he received a bachelor's degree from Claremont McKenna College. Kokesh learned Arabic for his tenure in Iraq.

Marine Corps service

In 1999, Kokesh enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. In 2004, he was deployed to Iraq and served in Fallujah. He was a liaison between the U.S. military and Iraqi civilians as a member of the 3rd Civil Affairs Group. He also worked a security checkpoint while in Iraq. He brought home a pistol from Iraq in 2004 in violation of military rules, as a result of which he was demoted from sergeant to corporal, and shortly thereafter he was honorably discharged from active duty. Kokesh received the Combat Action Ribbon and the Navy Commendation Medal for his combat in Fallujah.

Ready Reserve discharge

After his discharge, Kokesh was a member of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and on March 19, 2007, he participated in an anti-war protest and was named in a photo caption of that event in the Washington Post. As a result, on March 29, a Marine Major sent him an e-mail to tell him he was being investigated for misconduct by appearing at a political event while wearing his uniform. Kokesh responded, using an expletive in his reply, thereby incurring an additional misconduct charge under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

In May 2007, a hearing was convened to consider changing Kokesh's military discharge from "honorable" to "other than honorable". The panel recommended Kokesh be given a "general discharge under honorable conditions," which is a discharge status below "honorable," and above "other than honorable". Kokesh's appeal of the decision was denied.

The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Gary Kurpius supported Kokesh and two others arrested with him at the protest, saying "All they're doing is exercising the same democratic voice we're trying to instill over in Iraq right now." The VFW issued a "blistering statement" with the headline: "VFW to Corps: Don't Stifle Freedom of Speech."

Protest activities

2007

In February 2007, he became an active participant in the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW). On March 19, 2007, to mark the 4th anniversary of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Kokesh and 12 other IVAW members participated in an occupation-like mock patrol of Washington, D.C. Kokesh first came to national attention after he was interviewed on CNN and his photograph appeared in various newspapers, including the front page of the Los Angeles Times at a protest during Alberto Gonzales's testimony to Congress regarding the dismissal of U.S. attorneys. Kokesh, wearing his marine corps Boonie hat, held up a sign counting the number of times Gonzalez said "I don't remember" or "I don't recall" (Kokesh claimed Gonzalez used such phrases 74 times).

Kokesh arrest at Senate Hart office building, April 26, 2007

In April 2007, Kokesh and a number of other activists were arrested for protesting the Iraq war in the Senate Hart Office Building. Kokesh had performed a ceremony for lost service members using an American flag.

In June 2007, Kokesh along with IVAW members Liam Madden and Nate Lewis were arrested for crossing onto Fort Benning during an anti-war protest. A spokesperson for the IVAW said the three had accidentally stepped onto the base while talking to a guard. The trespass charges were dismissed.

Kokesh enrolled in graduate studies in political management at George Washington University. In October 2007, Kokesh, along with six other students, created controversy by putting up mock political posters across the university campus to mock what they called the racist and Islamophobic "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week" being observed at the campus. The event was organized by a conservative student organization, and invited controversial speaker David Horowitz on the George Washington University campus.

2008

On September 2, 2008, Kokesh spoke at Ron Paul's Rally for the Republic in St. Paul, Minnesota.

On September 4, 2008, Kokesh interrupted Senator John McCain's acceptance speech of the GOP nomination for president at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Holding a sign reading "McCain Votes Against Vets" on one side and "You can't win an occupation" on the other, Kokesh yelled, "Ask him why he votes against vets!" Kokesh was detained by local police and released soon after.

2011

On May 28, 2011, Kokesh and other activists participated in a flash mob-silent dance at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. in protest of a recent ruling against dancing in the monument. The activists were arrested. A much larger protest on June 4, 2011, organized by Kokesh and Code Pink, involved about 200 protesters and 75 dancers. About 10 minutes after the dancing began, police began clearing the monument. No arrests were made. When asked by a journalist if he had a permit to protest, Kokesh reportedly produced a copy of the Constitution and said, "Actually I got a permit. It's the same one I swore an oath to when I enlisted in the marine corps. And it says something about 'freedom of assembly.'"

2012

On February 20, 2012, after a "Veterans For Ron Paul" rally, 500 marchers, including veterans, active-duty service, and their families, marched towards the White House. There they engaged in ceremonial flag-folding in memory of deceased soldiers and periods of silence for soldiers who died in battle and for those who committed suicide after returning.

2013

In May 2013, Kokesh announced he was planning an armed pro-gun rights march from Virginia to Washington, D.C. on July 4, 2013, to coincide with Independence Day.

On May 18, 2013, Kokesh was arrested in Philadelphia by federal park rangers together with other protesters at the 5th iteration of a marijuana legalization rally known as Smoke Down Prohibition. Kokesh and Philadelphia marijuana advocate N.A. Poe appeared before a judge on Monday May 20 and were charged with assaulting a federal officer and resisting arrest. Along with his release on May 24, 2013, Kokesh called for a "Final American Revolution" to take place on July 4, 2013 in place of the previously planned armed march on Washington D.C.. This is planned to take place in all 50 state capitols with protests to be only absolved by each governors agreement to initiate an orderly dissolution of the federal government through secession.

On July 4, 2013, Kokesh put on YouTube a video of himself that appeared to show him violating a District of Columbia gun-control law. On July 9, 2013, law enforcement officials (including a SWAT team) committed a break-in on Kokesh's home. Police allegedly found a gun and hallucinogenic mushrooms and kidnapped him citing drug charges.

2010 congressional campaign

In 2010, Kokesh ran unsuccessfully in the primary for the Republican nomination for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district seat. His campaign donations were mainly from out-of-state, and he received endorsements from Congressman Ron Paul and from the Republican Liberty Caucus. Kokesh's opponent in the New Mexico GOP primary was Tom Mullins. Kokesh received 9,011 votes for 29% of the primary vote.

Adam vs. The Man

Kokesh's talk radio program, Adam vs. The Man, was picked up by RT America in April 2011. Conservative media watchdog Accuracy in Media criticized Kokesh's appearances on RT, which is a non-profit organization largely funded by the Russian government. The group claimed that RT uses Americans like Kokesh to make propaganda points. David Weigel writes that Kokesh defended RT's "propaganda" function, saying "We're putting out the truth that no one else wants to say. I mean, if you want to put it in the worst possible abstract, it's the Russian government, which is a competing protection racket against the other governments of the world, going against the United States and calling them on their bullshit."

Kokesh has continued his Adam vs. The Man podcasts and video reports independently on his website and YouTube channel. On the channel he has filed some critical reports of the "Occupy DC" version of the Occupy movement.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Iraq War Stories: Adam Kokesh". Albuquerque Journal. September 5, 2010.
  2. "Adam Kokesh, Pro-Gun Activist, Calls For 'Revolutionary Army' To Demand Nationwide Secession". Huffington Post. May 30, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  3. "Meet Iraq Veteran Adam Kokesh, the New Mouthpiece of the Anti-War Movement". June 28, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. Sharpe Tom (Feb. 4, 2010). "Bank lone bidder for Kokesh's horse park". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 13 May 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. Bob Quick (May 23, 2007). "Iraq veteran marches in Germany protest". The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. C.1.
  6. Dave Maass, Kokeheads: Republican dark horse winning over some NM voters, Santa Fe Reporter, October l4, 2009.
  7. Matthew Reichbach, Adam Kokesh launches northern New Mexico congressional campaign, American Independent News Network, July 6, 2009.
  8. ^ Heather Hollingsworth (May 31, 2007). "Marine Vet Faces Hearing Over Protest". The Washington Post. Associated Press.
  9. Karen Matthews (May 28, 2007). "Anti-war Iraq vets protest in N.Y.C.; Street theater aims at telling truth, they say". The Record. Associated Press. p. A.04.
  10. ^ Stephen Koff (May 31, 2007). "Corps accused of 'muzzle' tactics". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on 2007. Retrieved May 12, 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. David Montgomery (May 31, 2007). "Antiwar to the Corps: Marine Reservist-Protesters Face Discipline". Washington Post. p. C.1.
  12. "Anti-war Marine faces hearing over uniform". The Brattleboro Reformer. June 5, 2007.
  13. "Marine Corps Wants America's Favorite Marine To Shut Up" (PDF). Wonkette. May 31, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007. Retrieved May 12, 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. David Montgomery (June 5, 2007). "Marines Reduce Penalty For Reservist-Protester". The Washington Post. p. C.2.
  15. "US panel punishes anti-war marine". BBC News. June 5, 2007.
  16. "Iraq War Veteran Loses Protest Appeal". Associated Press. June 7, 2007. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  17. ^ David Montgomery, "In Clash With Marines, Reservists Gain Ally in VFW", Washington Post, June 2, 2007.
  18. David Montgomery (March 21, 2007). "Anti-war Iraq vets stage mock patrol D.C. residents get taste of occupation". The Journal Gazette. p. 6.A.
  19. Paul Kane (April 20, 2007). "The AG hearing: A post-mortem". The Washington Post.
  20. Marine veteran, protester faces discharge, United Press International, June 4, 2007.
  21. "Trespass charges against veteran protesters dropped work=AccessNorthGa.com". Associated Press. June 14, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2012. {{cite news}}: Missing pipe in: |title= (help)
  22. "Anti-Muslim posters cause stir, administrative response". The GW Hatchet. October 8, 2007.
  23. Roper, Eric (May 13, 2013). "Seven GW students admit to hanging controversial posters". Gwhatchet.com. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  24. David Weigel, Anti-War Activist Mounts GOP Campaign for Congress, The Washington Independent, December 18, 2009.
  25. Indianapolis Star, McCain's speech interrupted by protestors September 4, 2008
  26. The American Prospect, McCain Heckler Detained, Handcuffed, and Released Outside Excel Center September 4, 2008
  27. Sarah Kaufman, Dancing in Jefferson Memorial? Our Founding Father would approve, Washington Post, May 2011.
  28. Lori Aratani (June 5, 2011). "Dancers shimmy at the Jefferson Memorial". The Washington Post.
  29. John Henrehan (June 7, 2011). "Dancing Again At Jefferson Memorial; No Arrests". Fox News.
  30. Connor A. Sheets (February 21, 2012). "Veterans for Ron Paul 2012 March on the White House". International Business Times.
  31. Matthew Larotonda, Veterans for Ron Paul Rally at White House, ABC News, February 20, 2012.
  32. "Open Carry March In Washington Seeks To Put 'Government On Notice' With Loaded Rifles". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  33. "Adam Kokesh Arrested at Anti-Prohibition Protest in Philly - Reason 24/7". Reason.com. May 19, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  34. http://mediamatters.org/blog/2013/05/29/adam-kokesh-calls-off-armed-march-on-dc-in-favo/194259
  35. "Adam Kokesh charged with possessing hallucinogenic mushrooms". Washington Post. July 10, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  36. ^ Heath Haussamen (July 21, 2009). "Adam Kokesh campaigns in Ron Paul's shadow: Ron Paul's support won't help Kokesh win congressional bid, UNM prof says". New Mexico Independent.
  37. Steve Terrell (July 17, 2009). "Kokesh to take on Lujan as Republican: Previously undecided, 'Revolutionary Patriot' files under GOP for race". McClatchy.
  38. 2010 Endorsed Candidates, Republican Liberty Caucus website.
  39. Steve Terrell (May 27, 2010). "3rd Congressional District 'Traditional Republican' vs. Anti-war Veteran". The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. A.1. Archived from the original on 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  40. Steve Terrell (June 2, 2010). "Oilman defeats Kokesh in GOP house race". The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. A.5. Archived from the original on 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  43. "KGB TV to Air Show Hosted by Anti-war Marine Vet". Accuracy in Media. 05-04-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  44. David Weigel, Pravda Will Set You Free; Russia's answer to Fox News and MSNBC., Slate, June 27, 2011.
  45. Lucy Steigerwald, Occupy DC Digs Democracy, Hints at Revolution, Doesn't like War, Corporations, or The Two Party System, Reason Magazine, October 7, 2011.

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