Libertarian activist David Ridley is marching across New Hampshire — dressed as Gandhi — to protest the arrests of the so-called Crypto 6, six people connected to Free Keene who are charged with money laundering and wire fraud.
Ridley started his march on Sunday at the Bitcoin Embassy on Route 101, trailed by a couple of other Free Keene activists. Ridley, who produces his own internet videos espousing libertarian ideas, says his march is akin to Mahatma Gandhi’s 1930 Salt March, which protested the British rule of India.
Ridley announced his march in Free Keene online forums, and in a letter to Juan Cruz, a manager with the federal government administration.
“During the endeavor I will pick up litter and collect the peoples’ grievances against Washington. I will walk a copy to your main compound at Concord. There, on June 2, if still free and able, I will enter federal property, attempt to pick up litter and attempt to distribute these tragic handbills,” Ridley wrote.
Ridley did not respond to a request for comment. In videos he recently posted, Risley is dressed as Gandhi and speaking “in character.”
“My speaking in character as though I were Mr. Gandhi himself, I hope that does not cause offense,” Ridley said.
In another video of a recent protest in Keene, Ridley, dressed as Gandhi, expresses disappointment in other Free Keene activists for not attending the protest near the downtown U.S. Post Office. Ridley was the only protester.
“It’s frustrating after sending many invitations to so many Free Staters and liberty activists,” he said.
In March, federal agents raided the home of Free Keene’s Ian Freeman and arrested several people associated with his libertarian churches and bitcoin exchanges on money laundering and wire fraud charges. Freeman, 40; Colleen Fordham, 60, of Alstead; Renee Spinella, 23, of Derry; Andrew Spinella, 35, of Derry; Nobody, formerly known as Rich Paul, of Keene; and Aria DiMezzo, 34, of Keene were all taken into custody.
Freeman and Nobody continue to be held in custody pending trial. Nobody waived his right to a detention hearing, and Freeman is appealing his detention order.
During a hearing on Monday in the federal court, Judge Joseph Laplante indicated he is likely to order Freeman’s release.
Ridley plans to deliver a complaint to federal officials protesting the arrests at the final stop of his march on June 2 in Concord.