About

The struggle for freedom against the forces of tyranny is an ancient war. The Sons of Liberty (SOL) and their fight for American independence was only a mere battle in this eternal conquest. This fight lives on, and it is at your doorstep. Are you willing to fight for your freedom and join this order of resistance? 

The Sons of Liberty gives each and every man an opportunity to serve the cause of freedom. A determination to live free and a willingness to resist tyranny is all that’s required. In return, you will be given the chance to free yourself from the chains of slavery and count yourself among brothers. To stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men from your own tribe is the noble heritage of mankind; it is our primal instinct and the foundation of any great culture. 

"Nil Desperandum - Never Despair.  That is a motto for you and me.  All are not dead: and where there is a spark of patriotic fire, we will rekindle it." 

- Samuel Adams (Founder of the Sons of Liberty 1765)

Tyranny is not approaching, it’s already upon us. There are no arguments within these pages; no facts, no evidence, no policy reviews or economic theories. The time has passed for such efforts. Inside this book, you will find a call to action. Tanner Cook, founder of the revived Sons of Liberty, sends out a powerful message to all the free men who have something more to offer than just wishful thinking. This manifesto contains the vision for the Sons of Liberty and provides a plan of action whereby men can resist the unlawful and unjust acts of tyrants.

Any man who possesses a faith in Freedom and believes that he deserves liberty, and is willing to take it, this order of resistance is calling – the Sons of Liberty.

“But if we are to see things in their right perspective, we need to understand the past of man as well as the present. That is why an understanding of myths and symbols is of essential importance.”
— CARL JUNG

The Sons of Liberty has three distinct symbols within it; the 1765 Sons of Liberty flag, the coiled Timber Rattlesnake, and the ring of 13-stars. Together, this symbolism represents the spirit of SOL and its ambition. 

1765 Sons of Liberty Flag: Known by the British as "The Rebellious Stripes". This flag was likely adopted by the Sons of Liberty to represent the 9 states that opposed the Stamp Act. Led by Samuel Adams, they formed a loose network throughout the colonies to enforce boycotts, organize protests and keep an eye of the increasing British presents. Their tactics were sometimes less than peaceful, occasionally resulting in riots, vandalism, and arson.  The group reached the pinnacle of their influence on the 16th of December 1773 with an event known as the Boston Tea Party.

As the story goes, the Sons of Liberty would fly a flag with nine red and white stripes, representing the nine colonies who protested the Stamp Act, from a tree over their meeting place.  Numerous accounts in journals and papers from the time mention flags flying from trees.  Becoming wise to the Flag, the British chopped down these “Liberty Trees”.  So, the Sons of Liberty began erecting poles to fly their Flag.  

Timber Rattlesnake: The timber rattlesnake is one of the oldest symbols embraced by the United States. This snake, much like the bald eagle, was an indigenous species of North America, making it a prime symbol of the American identity. Benjamin Franklin depicted the snake several times through his writings, but it was made most notable by Christopher Gadsden, a politician from South Carolina. Gadsden was not only a statesman, but also a high-ranking member in the Continental Army, one of the most influential leaders in the movement for independence, and a founding member of the South Carolina Sons of Liberty militia. 

Gadsden designed a standard to represent the fight for American independence. A coiled timber rattlesnake upon a bright yellow backdrop, with the phrase, “DONT TREAD ON ME,” printed beneath it. Snakes elicit a primal instinct within humans; they are something to be feared. But the rattlesnake is unique in that it first warns those who may attempt to infringe, before it strikes – and strike it shall, with lethal intent. This rattling feature of this snake combined with the loud yellow cloth work in conjunction to send the message, “We are here. We are no longer hiding. You have been warned.” 

The distinction between the rattlesnake and the contemporary symbol of the Libertarian Party, the porcupine, is that the snake is actually deadly; it’s a formidable adversary, even to those species much larger than itself. It is also a predatory animal, unlike the porcupine which can only act defensively. The same principle applies (don’t mess with me), but the porcupine’s quills are relatively harmless compared to the venomous fangs of the snake – such is the nature of the differences between a political party that reserves its efforts to legislature and a small group of dangerous men, willing to take freedom into their own hands.

13-Stars: Found on one of the nation’s first flag designs, the 13-stars are meant to represent the original 13 colonies that fought for their independence against British rule. SOL incorporates this symbol into their design to signify both its historical origins but also as a solemn remembrance to a time when the American people took up arms against their political oppressor. The star itself has always been a symbol of guidance and ambition. We look to the stars to find our way and we aspire toward it. They represent a dream, a wish, an ultimate end. As such, the Sons of Liberty are guided by the spirit of these 13-stars.

This is the history of SOL’s symbols and the rationale for why we embrace them. Do not fall victim to the slander found within mainstream media and politics, accusing these symbols of some sort of Right-wing, racist, or “anti-government” sentiment; the true meaning of these emblems are much more profound than they would have you believe. The use of these icons by other groups and ideologies is irrelevant and does not undermine their symbolic gesture. The potential associations one can make between these images and other, less-honorable ideas, is merely an attempt to attack the existence of the actual ideas these symbols truly represent. We will not surrender these powerful images to the forces of tyranny or any flavor of Postmodern Marxism, which attempt to cast arbitrary definitions and meaning to ancient truths. The Sons of Liberty proudly adorn these symbols and makes no apology for it.