From Washington Secessionist to KGEZ Radio Owner

Stokes' Veiled Threats and the Democratic Process

The Montana Human Rights Network is concerned that Stokes' use of veiled threats and highly inflammatory rhetoric poses a threat to free, open and civil democracy in the Flathead.  Issues concerning land-use and government authority need to be addressed by all Montanans.  However, Stokes' rhetoric only divides Flathead's citizens into camps of warring enemies and threatens, demonizes and dehumanizes those who disagree with Stokes.  What the Flathead needs is civil debate and democratic decision-making processes, not appealing to war, targeting public servants, and dehumanizing our fellow citizens. Instead of promoting a healthy debate, John Stokes uses his radio station for offensive name-calling, implied threats of violence, and calls for a boycott of local businesses.

Stokes frequently engages in anti-federal, anti-government and anti-environmental rhetoric during his radio show.  Lately, he's taken to using the term "Green Nazi" to refer to people who disagree with him. This is both extremely offensive and unjustifiable.  Environmental activists have nothing in common with the Nazis.  His use of this term trivializes the death and suffering of the Nazis' victims in the Holocaust.  It also belittles the sacrifices made by our veterans who fought the Third Reich.  It would appear Stokes has forgotten that the Nazis actually murdered millions of innocent people.

Stokes and Washington's County Secessionist Movement

Before moving to Montana in 1994, Stokes spearheaded what is known as the "county secessionist movement" in Washington State.  He and his followers tried to establish new counties that they believed would allow them to circumvent land-use laws.  The movement combined issues of property rights with the traditional anti-government movement.  In 1998, the Washington Supreme Court ruled this secessionist movement could not force the Washington Legislature to create new counties.

One of the counties that Stokes attempted to create, Freedom County, made headlines in October 2000 when officers were sworn in for this non-existent county.  The current leader of Freedom County is Thom Satterlee, a man who has tried to file bogus freemen documents in Washington and is linked to the Washington State Militia.  Freedom County's "sheriff" refuses to pay income taxes, obtain a driver's license or use a social security number.  All of these are traditional freemen practices. 

Satterlee and Stokes were part of the movement at the same time.  A May 3, 1997, article in Everett, Washington's The Herald says both Stokes and Satterlee petitioned the United Nations to step in and help form the new county.  A Herald reporter says Stokes remained active in the movement after moving to Montana.

Stokes' New Venues: Montana and KGEZ

Immediately upon moving to Montana in 1994, Stokes became a vocal opponent of the Flathead County Master Plan, a land-use plan.  He often framed debate about land-use planning in warlike terms.  In 1994, he told The Daily Interlake, "They have declared war on us, make no mistake about it.  We just haven't joined the battle."

Mr. Stokes' current enthusiasm for uncivil attacks on those who disagree with him, and for boycotting local businesses, isn't new.  In 1994, he handed our fliers at a planning meeting, titled "Boycott Utopian Socialist Planners."  It encouraged people to avoid businesses who gave money to "Eco freak socialist" groups.  He said businesses would be given ten days to withdraw their support from the "socialist Master Plan" or they would be included on a boycott list to be distributed to the public.

In 1998, he ran for the Montana Senate.  His platform included a number of extreme positions on education.  He wanted to sell the university system and force public schools to teach creationism.  He also advocated terminating Indian reservations and changing Montana's enabling act to require the federal government to cede all its land within Montana's borders to the state.

Since taking over KGEZ, Stokes has continued anti-government and anti-environmental rhetoric.  He supported "gate opening days," actions in which citizens forcibly and illegally open gates on federal land.  His radio talk show features lengthy, generally uncivil, diatribes against the federal government, federal employees and environmentalists.

Compiled by:
Montana Human Rights Network
P.O. Box 1222
Helena, MT 59624
(406) 442-5506 E-mail: network@mhrn.org