On Sunday, liberty activists gathered to promote a message of freedom and justice and to raise funds for the Free Ross campaign. The aim was to raise $14,000 USD to cover the cost of printing the appeal. Thanks to the support of the Bitcoin community, other donors, and a matching donation from Roger Ver, the final amount far exceeded the goal, reaching $23,500.
Event Overview: A Diverse Gathering for Justice
The 8-hour event was filmed at the LaffCast Studio in Media, Pennsylvania, featuring speakers including Jeffrey Tucker, Roger Ver, Ross's mother Lyn Ulbricht, and singer and liberty activist Tatiana Moroz. The conference covered a wide range of topics: liberty, privacy, legal issues, bitcoin and cryptocurrency, the drug war, and the criminal justice system. Lyn Ulbricht described it as "a lively, very interesting online conference, with a wide variety of speakers with expertise from many areas. Subjects they covered included liberty, privacy, legal issues, bitcoin and cryptocurrency, the drug war, and the criminal justice system. Speakers addressed the impact and wider implications that Ross’s case will have on society and what it means to imprison a peaceful person in prison for life."
Exclusive Interview: Lyn Ulbricht and Tatiana Moroz
Elizabeth McCauley had the privilege of interviewing Ross's mother, Lyn Ulbricht, and friend and supporter Tatiana Moroz. Despite the bleak outlook, both expressed hope and were encouraged by the turnout.
On the most meaningful aspect of the event: Tatiana Moroz highlighted Ross's letter to attendees: "It touched upon the unquenchable desire for freedom that is in our DNA. Through this event, people from all over the world were brought together by the idea of justice and freedom and the desire to set things right." Lyn Ulbricht emphasized that while the financial support was critical, the solidarity shown by so many talented people was equally uplifting: "This includes all the great speakers, the dedicated team behind the scenes, everyone who volunteered and helped spread the word, and of course all those who so generously gave donations, both large and small. It has been a long, hard road and this means so much."
On the funds raised: Lyn confirmed they raised $23,500 from people worldwide, in many currencies. Roger Ver announced a matching donation near the end of the night. She praised Roger as "a true freedom fighter who is committed to liberty."
On new developments in the case: Just a week before the Free Ross-A-Thon, Ross's legal team discovered evidence of tampering. A login to the Dread Pirate Roberts (DPR) account was found in an obscure folder—someone logged into the Silk Road forum nearly seven weeks after Ross's arrest. Lyn stated: "This discovery indicates to me that there is more corruption in the Silk Road case. If anyone has any more information about corruption or tampering, please contact us at FreeRoss.org." She noted that if this backup had not been saved, no one would ever know, raising questions about how much more corruption remains hidden.
On how readers can help: Tatiana urged readers to educate themselves on the facts: "There is much more to the story than what people may have heard from the mainstream media. The decisions made will set dangerous precedents that will ripple through the justice system and affect us all." Lyn added: "There is much more at stake in this case than one man or one website. Ross is at the tip of the spear right now, but the rest of us are not far behind. The U.S. government is too rich and too powerful for us to fight this alone. It requires a long term, grassroots effort. We need ongoing support in the form of donations, volunteer time and skills. Please donate or contact me through FreeRoss.org to help."
Broader Implications of the Ross Ulbricht Case
The Free Ross-A-Thon showcased the wide variety of supporters for the Free Ross movement—from the cryptocurrency community to libertarian activists, former law enforcement, and individuals who believe in truth and justice. Lyn Ulbricht and her family hope the Second Circuit appellate court will accept Ross's appeal for a new trial. Regardless of one's view on Ross Ulbricht's role in Silk Road, the evidence tampering and corruption by investigating officials is deeply troubling. If the U.S. justice system is not truly just, everyone is at risk.