Have you ever had something stolen from you? Maybe your freedom, your property, or your health?
I hope your loss has not come at the hand of someone working for the government, but that isn’t the case for many others.
Our own legal system and agents of the government use coercion to steal from good, hardworking people every day!
That’s just not right.
At Respect America, we believe that people deserve happiness, and any act of theft or violence, regardless of who does it, always reduces the happiness, harmony, and prosperity of the victim.
Here are three examples of government coercion in action:
A devoted mother loses her right to speak freely
In August 2024, Arizona mother Rebekah Massie was arrested at a Surprise city council meeting after criticizing the city attorney’s pay, violating a local rule that banned complaints against officials during public comment.
Despite attending peacefully with her daughter to speak about government waste, she was forcibly removed and charged with trespassing — a case later dismissed by a judge who called the city’s actions “objectively outrageous.”
Now, with the help of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), Massie is suing the city and its officials for violating her First Amendment rights and using government power to silence dissent.
A farmer was attacked, and the government agent is hiding behind immunity
Tom and Ayda Hamann, Wyoming homesteaders, clashed with Heart Mountain Irrigation District officials after manager Randy Watts threatened to build a road through their property without a legal easement.
When Tom peacefully tried to stop the unauthorized work and figure out a reasonable solution, Watts gave the order to “run the son of a b*tch over”. The excavator operator hit Tom in the head with the bucket, causing severe spinal and head injuries and over $10,000 in property damage.
After years of legal struggle, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled in July 2025 that the person who hit him, who was employed by the water district, could not claim government immunity. This is allowing the Hamanns to continue their fight for justice and accountability.
In Cranbury, New Jersey, Andy Henry and his brother found out their 21-acre family farm — which had been passed down since 1850 — was going to be seized through eminent domain for a state-mandated affordable housing project.
Town officials moved forward without notice or negotiation, threatening to take the property if the brothers refused to sell.
Despite zoning restrictions and community opposition, the city pressed on. Once they found out what was happening, the Henrys spent their own money to defend their land from what Andy calls “lawful theft,” fearing it may be lost forever.
They were one of the lucky ones. They recently won their case and will be able to keep their land. However, others may not be so fortunate…
These are just a small handful of examples of government coercion that is rampant throughout the nation, and it's happening to everyday people, just like you.
Please help us share these stories of people harmed by government coercion.
Through the use of real and up-close human experiences, Respect America memorably demonstrates the effects of coercion, theft, and violence on human happiness, inspiring people to seek solutions that increase harmony and prosperity.
We document them not to sensationalize, but to make sure the truth is told.
Because in a country built on freedom, dignity, and human respect, silence is not an option.
Your donation directly helps us fight for people like Andy, Rebekah, Tom, and Ayda by supporting the documentation, legal advocacy, and public sharing of their stories, working toward change and accountability.
You are helping us create a culture of Human Respect to build a flourishing and more harmonious America.
Thank you,
Hannah Henriksen
Respect America Foundation is a Section 501(c) (3) charitable organization. Our EIN is: 86-4617492. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution.
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