Emery, a founding executive member of the party since it was formed in January 1984, cited a personal agenda of "civil disobedience, writing, and organizing," and a political approach currently incompatible with Freedom Party objectives as the main reasons for his departure.

As Freedom Party's action director, Emery spearheaded many campaigns in the London area including the successful "No-Tax for Pan-Am" campaign in 1984, the free garbage pick-up protest during London's 1987 garbage strike, and the launching of Freedom Party's on-going campaign for freedom of choice in Sunday shopping.

As part of his new personal agenda of civil disobedience, Emery has recently gained international attention through his personal campaign against censorship when he was charged by police for selling and distributing the banned 2-Live-Crew record album, Nasty As They Wanna Be.

"I will always be proud of starting Freedom Party with you," said Emery in his letter of resignation to Ontario President Robert Metz. He adds: "I really hope the party is able to use this opportunity to send Freedom Party to new and successful growth, because it would be nice to see a collective consciousness for freedom in the electorate."

Emery's future involvement with the party will be limited to ad hoc volunteer support of various Fp campaigns: "Perhaps our differing styles and methods will complement each other as the education process of the public goes on."

While Emery has told the press that his beliefs have "evolved to a point where his principles would not allow him to be part of any political party," as of this writing, he has not yet revealed what those principles might be. With his current advocacy of "no government at all," we may be kept guessing for quite some time. Repeated past personal challenges from Fp president Robert Metz to define and defend his new-found frame of reference have been met with indifference and with a refusal to debate the issue, a response certainly not in keeping with Emery's past style.

Since Emery's resignation in November, Freedom Party's provincial executive has expanded to eight members. Current members are: Robert Metz, Lloyd Walker, William Frampton, Robert Vaughan, Jack Plant, Barry Malcolm, Barry Fitzgerald, and Patti Plant. More details on Fp's current executive will appear in the next issue of Freedom Flyer.

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Page last updated on April 28, 2002