15 March 2005

Former US Citizen Elated to be Free at Last

A Christchurch businessman who has renounced his United States citizenship says he feels an “unbelievable sense of freedom” and is looking forward to his future as a citizen of the world community.

Harmon Wilfred, who has lived in Christchurch, New Zealand since August 2001, made an oath of renunciation before the US Consulate General in Auckland, on March 1, 2005.

A statement of renunciation of US citizenship is permanent and irreversible.

Wilfred will be temporarily “stateless” while he and his Canadian wife, Carolyn, are being considered for NZ residency. Born in the US State of Kentucky and raised in Ohio, he is an honorably discharged veteran of the Vietnam era and spent over 20 years of his business life in Colorado before moving on to Canada in 1998, and then to New Zealand in 2001.

He Wilfred says he feels a tremendous sense of relief to be completely disassociated from the United States Government. “I feel genuinely free for the first time in decades. I am no longer associated with the Patriot Act, Department of Homeland Security, the illegal invasion of Iraq, the unlawful detention and torture of innocent people by the US military and the CIA, and all other US violations of human rights, either within its borders or around the world.”

During his 40 minute meeting with the US Consulate General in Auckland, Wilfred was advised against being “prejudiced towards a short term position” and cautioned about the long term seriousness of his actions.

Wilfred says his view is anything but short term. “The recent actions of the US Government and my own long term experience of egregious judicial and political abuses have permanently undermined my respect for America.” www.harmonwilfred.com

“During my conversation with the Consul it became clear that my renunciation is not an isolated case, even in a small country like New Zealand. It also challenged the view that Americans who have renounced their citizenship since the start of the Iraq war are either young activists or political crazies. It was stated that most are mature, educated and responsible members of the world community.”

Since arriving in New Zealand, Wilfred has been involved in the development of wireless data transmission, Broadband Powerline Communication (BPL) and Internet Telephony (www.combined-tech.com and www.powerlinecom.net). He also oversees the development of humanitarian projects on behalf of his wife’s estate under the La Famia Foundation and is currently working with several charitable trusts to trial his newly proposed family/community support initiative in Aranui, in Christchurch’s eastern suburbs. , New Zealand.

Wilfred says, “Contrary to US Government persuasion … there is life after US citizenship.”

ENDS

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