Free Ian Rally Recap
- Christopher Fox
- Jan 17
- 3 min read
Supporters of Ian Freeman, a prominent Free Stater and Bitcoin advocate from Keene, New Hampshire, are urging President-elect Donald Trump to grant him clemency. Freeman, 44, is currently serving an eight-year federal prison sentence following his conviction for operating an unlicensed Bitcoin exchange business. He has completed one year of his sentence at a minimum-security facility in Ayer, Massachusetts.
At a press conference held at the New Hampshire Legislative Office Building, Bonnie Freeman, Ian's wife, alongside Free State Project President Carla Gericke, appealed for his release. Gericke highlighted Freeman's case, along with those of other crypto pioneers like Ross Ulbricht and Roger Ver, as examples of governmental overreach and suppression of innovation. She criticized the federal justice system for issues such as overcharging, excessive sentencing, and inconsistent enforcement, asserting that Freeman was unjustly labeled a "fraudster and scammer."
The Free State Project aims to concentrate libertarians in New Hampshire to advocate for reduced government intervention and increased personal freedoms. Gericke, an advocate for New Hampshire's secession from the United States, called on Trump to fulfill his previous promises of clemency for individuals like Ulbricht and to extend the same consideration to Freeman upon taking office next week.
Publications such as InDepth New Hampshire, Bitcoin News and the Boston Globe were in attendance. As of the time of this blog post InDepth NH and Bitcoin News have published articles which can be found in the following links:
This article does go into some depth and balances Ian's supporters arguments with the prosecution's arguments and facts of the case. Ultimately, the initial "facts" that were largely reported about the case are not factual at all. For example the US Attorney made Ian out to be a "fraudster" in a press release. The fraud charge against Ian Freeman was never brought up in court because the government did not include it in its indictment.
This article delved into the intricacies of the rally itself, exploring the atmosphere, the key speakers, and the sentiments expressed by attendees. It provided a comprehensive overview of the events that unfolded during this significant gathering, highlighting how the crypto community came together in a show of solidarity. A major focal point of the rally was the collective plea for a pardon from the incoming President Trump, specifically aimed at crypto pioneers who faced legal challenges and regulatory scrutiny. The discussion encompassed the reasons behind this appeal, including the contributions of these innovators to the burgeoning cryptocurrency landscape and the potential implications of their legal predicaments on the future of digital currencies. Furthermore, the article examined the broader context of the rally, including the political climate surrounding cryptocurrency regulations and the impact of presidential pardons on the industry as a whole. By providing detailed accounts of personal stories and testimonials from those involved, this piece aimed to paint a vivid picture of the rally's significance and the hope that the crypto community placed in the new administration.
What's Next
Ian Freeman's oral arguments before a panel of judges is scheduled for the morning of February 5th at the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in Boston, MA. There Ian and his attorneys are seeking an overturn of the previous verdicts and ultimately his freedom.
Please help spread the word about this case, especially to folks in the greater Boston area to bring a physical presence of support in the courthouse.
Hi!
I read about Ian's case on this website - www.fff.org.
Ian should NOT be in prison; it is total injustice.
Thank you!
Lise from Maine (former licensed clinician).