According to multiple reports, radical protesters seized a six-block area of the city of Seattle. They declared it a police-free fiefdom, posted armed guards at its perimeter, began extorting money from local businesses (normally called “taxation”) and were even requiring residents to provide ID to enter their own homes.
My immediate reaction upon seeing the headlines was, “Oh my gosh, the Paris Commune is back!”
The Paris Commune of 1871 was pretty much 70 days of chaos, tyranny, and stupidity—draped in red flags and political correctness. If you spoke out for free speech or private property, you got shouted down, beat up, or put away.
In the end, it all came crashing down.
FEE’s mission is to inspire, educate, and connect future leaders with the economic, ethical, and legal principles of a free society. These principles include: individual liberty, free-market economics, entrepreneurship, private property, high moral character, and limited government. Visit https://fee.org