Free State Project tops major goal: 1000+ activists commit to be first wave to relocate to libertarian Free State

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Free State Project tops major goal: 1000+ activists commit to be first wave to relocate to libertarian Free State

Significant successes by early movers motivate others to follow

Keene, NH – January 23, 2007 – The national movement to recruit pro-liberty, small government activists to move to New Hampshire to concentrate their political efforts declared success this week in recruiting its first 1000 early-moving “pioneers.”

The Free State Project (FSP) ran an almost yearlong campaign to sign up 1000 people to move early to the chosen state of New Hampshire while the Project continues to recruit for its ultimate goal of 20,000 participants. Those who sign up for the Project agree to move once all 20,000 have committed (currently, more than 7500 have signed up). But these “First 1000” have agreed to move within two years, regardless of when the others are recruited.

The purpose of the First 1000 campaign is to get more people on the ground earlier to effect early successes, to gain more attention for recruitment purposes, and to blaze the trail for the other 19,000 to follow. There are more than 170 early movers and 300 native Granite Staters already in New Hampshire. Here is just a small sample of their significant successes:

These successes have caught the attention of the national media, with TIME magazine saying in a November article, “They [FSP participants] could finally make a difference and show the rest of America what real liberty looks like – the kind where you don’t have to wear seat belts or register your guns and nobody passes laws about what the neighbors can do in their bedroom.”

FSP participants will work within New Hampshire’s political system to reduce taxes and regulation and expand individual rights and free markets. Some will run for public office while others will use the tools of lobbying, civil disobedience, protests, or other peaceful means to affect political change. The state was chosen because of its small population and more freedomoriented culture.

“As Americans become more frustrated with expanding government at all levels – deficit spending, rising taxes, eminent domain abuse, invasions of privacy – and as both major parties seem focused on taking power away from the people and giving it to the state, we are looking for a way to reverse the trend. The Free State Project is a way like never before to focus our reforms in one place where we can have great success, and demonstrate that success to the rest of the country,” said Ian Bernard, radio talk show host and sponsor of the First 1000 campaign.

Signers from across the country will be gathering February 22-25 in Concord, NH, for the FSP’s New Hampshire Liberty Forum. The Forum is a chance for signers to learn about the state, as well as political action. Featured speakers will include likely Presidential candidate Congressman Ron Paul and libertarian and co-anchor of ABC’s 20/20, John Stossel.

Free Staters are being welcomed by several groups, including the Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers, the Republican Liberty Caucus, the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance, the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire, and several Statehouse representatives and a former governor.

The Free State Project is not affiliated with any political party. More information can be found at www.FreeStateProject.org , or by contacting Brian Gottstein, Media Relations Manager, at Info@CreatePositiveImpact.comThis email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or 540-309-8255.

Individuals available for interviews:

Ian Bernard, syndicated radio and Internet talk show host, and sponsor of the First 1000 campaign, is a Free State Project participant. Bernard is the daily host of Free Talk Live (freetalklive.com), a freedom and free market-themed talk show. FTL was named "Best Political Podcast" of 2006 and "Best Cultural/Political Podcast" of 2005 (2005, 2006 Podcast Awards). TALKERS Magazine named it one of the most important talk shows of 2006. He moved to New Hampshire in 2006.