I was there, ground zero, at the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa, Canada. I brought my wife and our young children. There were inflatable bouncy castles, and street hockey games. It was peaceful but powerful. Canadians were exercising their democratic rights – freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.

By the winter of 2022, Canada’s leaders had trampled on many of our freedoms – pastors had been thrown in jail for opening their churches, Canadians had been fined for visiting their neighbors, and many had been forced to sacrifice their bodily autonomy (vaccine mandates). The Freedom Convoy’s mission was to protest the loss of these freedoms and to petition our government. The Convoy brought hope to many Canadians, myself included. But our hope was short-lived. The government of Canada, led by Justin Trudeau, labeled its own peaceful citizens as terrorists and enacted for the first time ever the “Emergency Measures Act.”

Overnight, friendly local police officers were replaced with military uniformed jackboots. We watched in disbelief as these ruthless mercenaries, who did not even wear the Canadian flag on their uniforms, trampled and pepper-sprayed law-abiding and peaceful Canadian citizens. We know many fellow Canadians who had their bank accounts frozen, some who had their money stolen, and many who were thrown in jail for being part of this peaceful protest. What do you call a country that violently suppresses and jails political dissidents? Historians of Soviet and Nazi regimes might be able to tell us.

My name is Jeremiah Hadwen. I am a Canadian scientist and physician. My wife and I and our 5 daughters are in exile in Tulsa. By the grace of God, I’ve been given a chance to train in Tulsa, as a family physician. My family and I have been warmly welcomed in Tulsa, and we are very grateful. We believe that our story, what we have seen and experienced, must be shared with the citizens of Oklahoma.

The same socialist ideas and people with twisted morals are seeking to take control of Oklahoma, just as they have already taken control of Canada. They are working in the schoolboards, in the local universities, and especially in the political realms. As citizens of this free state, you must wake up and fight and vote for your freedoms, before they are stripped away.

I encourage you to support local politicians who promise to uphold your freedoms. I have spoken multiple times with Paul Hassink and heard him speak at a local community gathering. He is a man dedicated to his family, his community and his country. His party has enacted legislation to increase the sovereignty of Oklahoma and improve election integrity. He is a man of faith, conviction, and courage. Vote for politicians like Paul Hassink who will put your interests first and who will work tirelessly to protect your rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.