Page 59 - Winter2020

HEALTH FREEDOM REVIVAL IN THE HEARTLAND
By Hilda Labrada Gore

On September 15, a revival took place in the heartland of the United States. Did you hear about it? This was not
a religious revival, although it was full of fervor. It was the Health Freedom Revival in Wichita, Kansas. The event’s
organizers originally were going to dub the event the “Health Freedom Rally” but quickly realized that the word
“rally” couldn’t quite capture what was in the works.
Planning began inauspiciously, only three weeks prior to the event. Megan Lubbers, a young mom in Wichita,
had been connecting with a few local health freedom fighters. All were interested in obtaining a religious exemption
for their children’s vaccination. As of this year, forty-six of the fifty states (with the exception of California, Maine,
Mississippi and West Virginia) allow a religious exemption, and sixteen states allow for a broader philosophical or
“conscience” exemption. Laws can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and diocese to diocese, however. Megan’s
children attend a private Catholic school that allows for no exemptions.
Megan had already begun partnering with advocates for medical freedom in the heartland—for her children and
for all children—when she learned about the release of Andy Wakefield’s new film, 1986: The Act. When Megan
inquired about hosting a screening, Wakefield’s team offered to send Andy and the film’s producer, Lori Gregory,
to do a live Q&A following the screening. Megan was thrilled. Meanwhile, Dr. C.J. Mackie, a local naturopath and
acupuncturist, suggested that Megan contact chiropractor Dr. Devin Vrana, a “Wichita mama bear” who happened
to have a connection with Bobby Kennedy. The next thing they knew, Bobby was in as well.
As the Health Freedom Revival gained steam, Del Bigtree (host of the Internet show “The Highwire”) joined the
lineup, as did a number of other experts eager to speak about vaccinations, health freedom, dentistry and even soil
health. Speakers began cold-calling Megan, requesting to speak at the event. Megan soon realized that she would
need more partners to manage the event, so she contacted the leadership of Kansans for Health Freedom, a 501c4
nonprofit. That group is led by long-time WAPF chapter leaders Connie Newcome (president) and Debbie Mize (vice
president), who were both eager to collaborate on the fast-approaching event.
Though the word of the day was “freedom,” it was clear from the outset that savvy and clever planning would
be required to defend the event’s integrity. Governor Kelly, through executive order, had a mask mandate in place
in the state of Kansas. In addition, an emergency public health order was in effect for Sedgwick County, requiring all
persons to wear face coverings whether indoors or outdoors. Seeking to identify a place where it would be safe to
gather mask-free, without the risk of being shut down and the possibility of counter-demonstrations, the organizers
settled on Newton (in neighboring Harvey County) but did not release the location of the venue until two days before
the event. Below are some highlights from the event.

• ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR. offered snapshots of his involvement in the health freedom movement. As an environ-
mental rights lawyer and the founder of Waterkeeper Alliance, Kennedy would often encounter moms sitting in
the front row at his speaking engagements. Repeatedly, these mothers would tell him that if he was concerned
about mercury in fish, he should look into the dangers of mercury in vaccines. He told of one particularly tena-
cious mother who dropped a tall stack of scientific studies about vaccination on his front porch and refused
to leave until he read them. Motivated and inspired by the many mothers who have refused to keep silent
about vaccine injuries, Kennedy later went on to establish Children’s Health Defense and its offshoot, Millions
Against Medical Mandates. Kennedy revealed from the stage that he now suspects that his dysphonia (a vocal
impairment) was a side effect of flu vaccines, which he took for a number of years at his workplace. He said that
dysphonia is listed as one of influenza vaccination’s side effects in package inserts. At the conclusion of his talk,
Kennedy noted that it remains unclear whether masks are effective in any way. He believes that mask use primes
us for future relinquishment of our freedoms.

• DR. TOBY ROGERS has a PhD from the University of Sydney in Australia. He spoke on the topic of his doctoral
thesis, “The Political Economy of Autism.” Rogers first became interested in exploring autism when his girlfriend’s
son was diagnosed with it. He was shocked by what he found—a massive cover-up of information linking toxins
in vaccines to autism. Rogers raised some pressing questions. Who will care for autistic children once they
become adults? What economic costs arise when an entire generation cannot enter the workforce and contribute
to the prosperity of the nation, let alone provide for their own families? In October, we interviewed Rogers for the
Wise Traditions podcast’s health freedom track.

WINTER 2020 Wise Traditions 57