A prominent pro-gun lobbyist has invoked Mahatma Gandhi's "Satyagrah" to protest against the Obama Administration's move to seek background checks for buying a gun.
"This is an act of civil disobedience, not a permitted event. We will march with rifles loaded and slung across our backs to put the government on notice that we will not be intimidated and cower in submission to tyranny," activist Adam Kokesh said.
Kokesh has asked 1,000 people to march across the Potomac river in Washington on July 4 carrying loaded rifles for a peaceful protest against the Obama Administration's move on mandatory background checks for buying a gun in the country.
The move is being vehemently opposed by the pro-gun lobby group, arguing that this is an infringement on their fundamental right to carry arms, enshrined in the American Constitution.
Kokesh, who is inspired by Gandhi's Satyagraha strategy of nonviolent resistance, says he will confront DC police peacefully.
"With Satyagraha," Kokesh, the 31-year-old former US marine activist told The Washington Post when asked what would the 1000 protestors respond if they are blocked the DC police.
"Invoking Gandhi while advocating the carrying of loaded firearms is typical of Kokesh, who in his six years as a professional rabble-rouser has embraced positions on every side of the political spectrum," The Post wrote.
Urging his supporters and pro-gun lobbyists' to come to Washington in large numbers to join his gun-loaded peace march, Kokesh said, "All who attend this march armed will be asked to stand and move in a military formation in order to maintain unity and safety".
"You will be expected to be dressed professionally, and there will be an inspection," Kokesh, the son of a wealthy venture capitalist said.
And if there is any violence, he has asked his protestors to react peacefully.
"There's a remote chance that there will be violence as there has been from government before, and I think it should be clear that if anyone involved in this event is approached respectfully by agents of the state, they will submit to arrest without resisting," he said.
"We are marching to mark the high water mark of government & to turn the tide. This will be a non-violent event, unless the government chooses to make it violent," Kokesh said.
"Should we meet physical resistance, we will peacefully turn back, having shown that free people are not welcome in Washington, & return with the resolve that the politicians, bureaucrats, & enforcers of the federal government will not be welcome in the land of the free," he said.
