“We have determined that you are known protesters.”

These words were uttered to us by an ICE officer from the Department of Homeland Security (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) outside the Albert V. Bryan U.S. District Courthouse where Zacharias Moussaoui’s trial is currently being held.

After informing us of our “status,” this law enforcement official next tried to prevent the Scholars for 9-11 Truth from holding their press conference in front of a mainstream media contingent which was covering Moussaoui’s trial. Furthermore, these same officials tried to move us outside the courthouse ‘perimeter’ so that we couldn’t cover this event.

Luckily, Professor Jim Fetzer and the other Scholars reasoned with this ICE agent, and their press conference went ahead as scheduled. There were, however, some stipulations, for WING TV was not granted permission to take any photographs or video footage of their presentations because we didn’t possess the proper “press credentials.” To obtain these ‘papers,’ we were told one had to go through the White House, Congress, or a federal judge. Needless to say, WING TV will not be among the “controlled” press any time soon. [Remember: "Credentialed" is simply a buzzword for "Controlled"]

In regard to our status as “known protesters,” we’re not sure what type of list our names appeared on, but a March 14, 2006 article by Mark Sherman of the Associated Press entitled 200,000 People in U.S. Terror Database described how a plethora of names now appear in a directory for the federal government’s Terrorist Screening Center. This “list” was created after the September 11 terrorist attacks, and brings together information from nine separate intelligence agencies. Sherman went on to describe the TSC’s director – Donna Bucella – and how “her agency acts as a guide for law enforcement, facilitating the sharing of information and alerting investigators to suspects’ movements.”

Could this computer bank be the one sourced by the above-mentioned ICE officer? We’re not sure, but we can undeniably say that it will not prevent us from attending any future activist events. In fact, in a recent WING TV photo gallery, Lisa Guliani ran a series of photographs which centered around a common theme – one that we feel should become a rallying point or motto for the patriot movement:

                                                     “WE ARE NOT AFRAID”

When you think of it, what other alternative do we have? As can be seen by the extensive military presence which has been erected in Washington D.C., our ruling elite now live in an ever-present state of hyper-paranoia. Is that what we want to become – mirror images of them crippled by fear?

Of course not. The only way we can take our country back is by standing up and showing those in control that we refuse to be held under their thumbs any longer.

And if you want to know the truth, being classified as 'known protesters' is no big deal. In fact, we think it's a joke because whenever we attend these events, we have a blast watching "the Man" get all uptight and bent out of shape. But here's what we need to be wary of: at what point do 'known protesters' become 'known terrorists'? Under Patriot Act II, it's a legitimate concern, and could become a reality if we all sit around and do nothing.

So, in regard to action, everyone has their own decisions to make, but all we can say is: We Are Not Afraid!