Gavin Seim
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Gavin Seim | |
|---|---|
 Seim in 2014 | |
| Born | January 17, 1985 Ephrata, Washington, United States |
| Occupations | Photographer, activist, independent filmmaker |
| Political party | Libertarian, Republican |
| Movement | Libertarian |
| Spouse |
Sondra Seim (m. 2007) |
| Website | Official website |
Gavin David Seim (born January 17, 1985, in Ephrata, Washington) is an American activist, self-described constitutionalist, conspiracy theorist, filmmaker[1] and photographer, known for using confrontational sovereign citizen tactics against law enforcement.[2] He posted a viral, controversial video on the internet, entitled "Citizen Pulls Cop Over."[3] He also organized an "I Will NOT Comply" rally and posted a video about the same subject.[4]
In 2014, he ran, unsuccessfully, for the United States House of Representatives as a Republican.[5] He placed eighth in the open primary, obtaining approximately two percent of the votes cast.[6]
In 2015, he was arrested for interfering with a court, assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct, and contempt of court.[5]
On December 8, 2017, he failed to appear in Grant County District Court on charges of obstruction of a law enforcement officer and harassment in connection with an August 2017 arrest in Ephrata, Washington. Seim claimed illegal conduct from the court and prosecutor, including a motion which would force him to unlock his phone and said that he refused to comply. A warrant with a $5,000 bond was issued for his arrest. According to press reports, Seim has fled to Mexico.[7][8] He continues to post videos refusing to abide by Mexican police checkpoints, demanding they speak English, and provides dangerous "advice" on how to confront police during routine stops.
On February 13, 2020, Gavin Seim claimed that the Mexican government gave him and his family protected person status and permanent residency.[9][10]
Second Amendment
During a protest in Spokane, Washington, in 2014, Seim stated, "The people should be armed equal to the police. If they can have an MRAP [mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle], we can have a tank."[11]
Abortion
Seim is against abortion and believes that life begins at conception; he also believes that the "right to life" lies at the very core of both liberty and the Constitution.[12]
Foreign policy
The US ambassador in Mexico has called Seim a "spoiled brat" and a perfect example of the "Ugly American" regarding Seim's opinions on which laws to obey in Mexico.[13]
Pandemic conspiracies
Seim believes COVID-19 is nothing more than a common cold[14] and lockdown measures are unconstitutional. After obtaining refugee status, Seim continued to practice civil disobedience, refusing to wear locally mandated masks when required and challenging local Mexican authorities[13]
2014 election
In 2014, Seim ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, to represent Washington state's 4th Congressional District. He ran as a Republican, using the slogan, "No More Politicians". Seim lost in the primary, receiving 2.56% of the vote,[15] which was 1,462 of the 73,264 votes counted. $7,676.00 was donated to his campaign in total.
"I Will NOT Comply" rally
Seim organized an "I Will NOT Comply" rally which took place in December 2014 in Olympia. The rally was in protest of Washington State Initiative 594,[16] which had recently passed by a 19-point margin and expanded gun sale background checks to private sales and exchanges.[4]
Seim refused to obtain a permit for the rally, but notified the government of his intent to hold the rally. In response, the government informed him that another pro-gun group was planning a rally for the same day in the same location. Seim responded that he was only informing them of his plans, not asking for authorization.[17]
He intended for the rally to be a civil disobedience event. However, a spokesman for the Washington State Patrol stated that openly exchanging guns as the rally intended would not be illegal, since handing a gun to another person would not be considered a "transfer" within the meaning of i594.[18]
Seim spoke at the event, arguing that mass shooting events were caused by gun regulation. While on stage, Seim burned his state concealed weapons permit and said that those who want tanks and bazookas should purchase them.[4]
Ammon Bundy, who had participated in the Bundy standoff (which arose from a dispute between Bundy's father and the United States Bureau of Land Management), was scheduled to speak at the event, but refused to show up.[4]
2015 arrest
In 2015, Seim attended the hearing of 19-year-old Tavis Shasteen, who was cited for refusing to provide a driver's license to a police officer when stopped for speeding. Seim insisted on representing Shasteen, but the court would not allow it, since Seim was not an attorney. The court also would not allow him to live-stream the hearing. Seim was subsequently arrested.
Seim was booked into jail for interfering with a court, disorderly conduct, and contempt of court.[5] He was sentenced to 14 days house arrest and 12 months probation.[19]