Seeing the Gadsden flag flown outside an occupied Capitol building reveals the lie behind its words: “Don’t tread on me”. 

They trod. Which transforms the message.

Long used as a Libertarian call to arms, this flag has meant to express a sense of rugged, but equal independence. But under its surface, there has always been something more sinister. Today, it is exposed.

The words are simple. Don’t tread on me. But they also have always required interpretation. A second half to complete the sentence.

Don’t tread on me because I’m just living over here.
Don’t tread on me because we all deserve to be free.
Even Don’t tread on me and I’ll leave you alone.

The second half was always supposed to be the clear intent. Because waving that flag was supposed to align with a commitment to the freedom of everyone.

That this is a lie, however, is unsurprising.

Treading on the Capitol building and placing their dirty feet on the House Speaker’s desk, this flag waving at the top of the steps for hours: Don’t tread on me. Mocking.

The implied second half isn’t about freedom. A virtue that can not be severed from equality.

Don’t tread on me. I can tread where I want.

Being so blatantly unconcerned with the laws and boundaries of others, these would-be freedom-fighters show an achingly unrooted disrespect to the people they claim to love. And to a freedom they idolize. They tread upon. To grind into dust.

“Don’t tread on me” is not a call to freedom unless it applies to everyone. Otherwise, it’s just fascist.