Pleads not guilty

Florida gyrocopter mail carrier pleads not guilty as supporters pick up his cause 

By Lauren Carroll

When Doug Hughes landed his gyrocopter on the U.S. Capitol lawn to protest the influence of money in politics, it was one man's lonely act of public disobedience.

That was five weeks ago. Now, the mail carrier from Ruskin has fans in the form of energized activists, also interested in campaign finance reform, who plan to carry his message further — even if he is sentenced to prison.

Some of them showed up during Hughes' arraignment Thursday in federal court, and several more waited for him outside in the rain. "Thank you, Doug," they shouted, holding up signs that said "Democracy is not for sale."

The scene unfolded after Hughes pleaded not guilty to all six charges stemming from his April 15 flight. If convicted, he could face up to 9½ years behind bars.

Adam Smith, communications director for the advocacy group Every Voice, expressed hope that the national attention from Hughes' flight would prompt more protests against the influence of money in politics.

"They might not be flying gyrocopters, but there will be more public demonstrations," Smith said outside the courthouse.

Commenting on the reaction he has received, Hughes said later in an interview, "The flight alone didn't do it. It kicked it off."

Tighe Barry, art director for the advocacy group CODEPINK, presented Hughes with a large mock postage stamp, featuring Hughes' profile and his gyrocopter imposed over an American flag. The stamp was the result of collaboration through Action Switchboard, an online platform for coordinating activist movements.

"He's a great American hero," Barry said of Hughes. "I'm an activist myself, and I've done dangerous things myself. But what he did, this is amazing."

The charges against Hughes include two felonies: one count each of operating as an airman without an airman's certificate and violating registration requirements involving aircraft. In addition, he was indicted on four misdemeanor counts: three counts of violation of national defense airspace, and one of operating a vehicle falsely labeled as a postal carrier.

Hughes said he doesn't necessarily support copycat demonstrations because they could be risky. But he would like to see more protests and organizing for the cause. The ultimate solution to money's corrosive influence in politics, he said, is to replace the majority of Congress with people who are dedicated to campaign finance reform.

Hughes' story proves that it's not just the "1 percent of the 1 percent" who have a voice in Washington, said Aquene Freechild, co-director of the Democracy is for People campaign with advocacy group Public Citizen.

Everyday citizens can take action, too, she said. "Without everyday Americans, things aren't going to change."

While many "Washington insiders" have focused on the national security implications of Hughes' flight, that doesn't resonate with the American public as much as the message of fighting corruption in Congress, said Nick Nyhart, CEO of Every Voice.

"There's probably a lot of people saying that guy sounds a little crazy, but I agree with the cause he's promoting," Nyhart said.

Hughes said he would like to serve as a resource for these activists. He is up for speaking at rallies, working with groups one-on-one and continuing his own activism.

For now, that will all have to take place close to home. At his arraignment, the court decided that Hughes will no longer be confined to his house, but he must continue to wear a GPS device and must remain in Hills­borough County while awaiting court proceedings. He will leave Washington by car Friday and expects to reach Ruskin on Saturday.

Hughes also said he is aware that his usefulness might last only as long as his case is in the spotlight. Right now, people believe in his dedication to the cause of campaign finance reform because he's "got skin in the game."

"I don't know how long I'm going to have enough trust of enough people to build success in the movement," he said. "But I've got to try."