Free Staters Advocate Volunteerism

For Immediate Release
August 7, 2004

SUBJECT: Free Staters Advocate Volunteerism as Alternative to Government

Contact: Amanda Phillips, National Spokesperson
Email: aphillips@freestateproject.org
Phone: 617-763-1996
Website: www.freestateproject.org

The Free State Project (www.freestateproject.org) is a plan in which 20,000 or more liberty-oriented people will move to New Hampshire, where they may work within the political system to reduce the size and scope of government. Participants pledge to work toward a society where the maximum role of civil government is the protection of life, liberty, and property. They have begun the migration to the "Live Free or Die" state. Some serve in the NH State House and in Governor Craig Benson's administration.

Beyond this political activity, however, Free Staters place equal emphasis on charity and community programs, which will reduce the demand for government services. "Volunteerism is at the very core of our libertarian philosophy," says FSP founder Jason Sorens. "What politicians and regulators often try to do through coercive government, we plan to do through voluntary cooperation."

The Liberty Scholarship Fund (LSF) is one example of Free Staters' charity; the LSF grants scholarships for home-schooled and private-schooled children. LSF founder Mike Fisher, a Free Stater who recently moved to NH, says, "There will be less need for government education as more people are able to use private alternatives." Outside an auction to benefit the LSF, anti-Benson activists held signs reading, "Greedy people are the problem." The LSF will soon announce the recipients of the first scholarships.

Many Free Staters also care about preserving NH's unique identity and historical heritage. When NH, true to its frugal nature, declined to spend taxpayer dollars to preserve the historic flags hanging in the Statehouse's Hall of Flags, FSP participants saw an opportunity to help and collected over $400 in contributions for the flag fund.

These are just two examples of contributions that Free Staters make to the community. "It's clear that Free Staters are not all about politics; we also have a positive cultural effect," notes FSP President Amanda Phillips. "Our message is clear: If you favor small government and individual rights, you should move to NH as part of the Free State Project. There's no better place to raise a family, start a business, and get involved!"

The Free State Project, a non-partisan, non-profit organization, currently has 6,000 participants, and is recruiting a total of at least 20,000 to move to New Hampshire.

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