Grant ‘Prezence’ Ellman and Derrick ‘33’ Broze perform 'Taxation is Theft' live at Rise & Vibes reggae festival in Aztec, NM, on Saturday 5/31/25. Using both my own video footage and the footage published by Derrick along with some intricate editing, I was able create this video which captures the complete performance from start to finish with great audio quality throughout. Lyrics published below...
Shout out and big thanks to Presence Music and Derrick Broze of the Conscious Resistance for keeping it real, and for this epic, powerful live performance that was pure fire! Channeling the frequency of the conscious resistance through conscious music, it was a great honor and blessing to be present for and a part of this unforgettable live performance among the audience.
“We won’t be used for funding war and genocide and heavy weaponry.”
This song captures the universal message of peace and love, the message of nonviolent resistance to institutionalized war & oppression that's at the heart of the great awakening, the conscious resistance, the peaceful revolution currently sweeping Planet Earth.
“Together we have the power to rise above; Reject hate and division, we can choose love!”
Some say that we are morally obligated to pay taxes, and others that resisting taxation is not a viable form of resistance; but some of us know deep within our hearts and souls that no human being is morally obliged to fund that which one finds morally repugnant to one’s soul.
“Authority comes from ourself from within…”
And when it comes to our tax dollars funding war and genocide, some would say that we not only have the right to resist taxes, but even the moral duty to do so. For, just as the 19th Century abolitionist, peace activist and tax protester Henry David Thoreau rightly declared in his famous treatise, Civil Disobedience:
If 1,000 men were not to pay their tax bills this year, that would not be a violent and bloody measure, as it would be to pay them, and enable the State to commit violence and shed innocent blood. That is, in fact, the definition of a peaceable revolution, if any such is possible. If the tax-gatherer or any other public officer asks me, as one has done, "But what shall I do?" my answer is "If you really wish to do anything, resign your office." When the subject has refused allegiance and the officer has resigned his office, then the revolution is accomplished.
Bottom line: Absolutely nobody has the right to force you or I or anyone else to pay for state-sanctioned murder, whether called by the name of capitol punishment, war, or any other name. Similarly, every single one of us absolutely has the right to refuse to fund war and genocide with our tax dollars…
“I won’t be paying for no genocide in Gaza!”
One day humanity will finally awaken to the reality that resisting taxation is not in any way an immoral, criminal or violent behavior; but that it is rather the use of those tax dollars to fund perpetual war & genocide which is the truly immoral, criminal, and violent act. And when that day dawns, and the world chooses love over fear, peace will finally be upon us. Until then, the nonviolent resistance marches on…
Resistance rising. Truth spreading. Consciousness expanding. Peace on the horizon.
Lyrics Below:
We know that taxation theft and that government is slavery ay We’re paying no mind or money to false “authority” because We own the product of our labor and our divine creativity (huh) We wont be used for funding war and genocide and heavy weaponry Taxation theft! (I won’t be paying no money to fake authority) Taxation theft! (I won’t fund no war no genocide) Taxation theft! (I’mma keep my money in the community) Taxation theft! Taxation! (Or prosperity) We know that taxation theft and that government is slavery ay (It’s a modern form of slavery) We paying no mind or money to false “authority” (Their authority not real) Because we own the products of our labor and our divine creativity (Creativity divine) We wont be used for funding war and genocide and heavy weaponry (Heavy weaponry not mine) Taxation theft! (And we already know that it is oh yea) Taxation theft! Taxation is theft! Taxation theft! (I won’t be used for funding war) Taxation theft! Taxation! (Nah go pay it anymore)
Prezence: From the day you are born the system treats ya like commodity Taking they cut, every transaction, every quantity Tax on what you earn, on what you buy, on what you sell, on what you own, on what you inherit The shit is an atrocity! That don’t even include the hidden tax That of inflation when they print money and take a lux vacation Then they counterfeit a couple stacks of more Spend it on war and corresponding media campaigning Most people know that it’s a wrong to rob their neighbor But they think that it’s a right if the govy wrote it down on paper Programmed to believe that slavery a racial issue Whites versus blacks, either way their master get their revenue Either way the subject is you until you choose to own yourself and everything you do You stop being subdued by the coercion of the few And break the bondage and acknowledge your inherent worth too!
33: Let me see if I can help you grasp what we're sayin’ Politicians takes your money, more for the slayin’ While our people suffer, the fat cats they ignore They got money for wars, but can't feed the poor Taxation is theft and some call it extortion Involuntary taxation, pro-lifers pay for abortion While non-smokers pay for tobacco subsidies And vegans funding animal inequalities Steal from anti-war activists to pay for violence And people wonder why the streets are filled with riots? I do not consent, and I will not relent Until all my brothers and sisters repent This is our time to reclaim our worth Together we can have what we deserve One by one let's take our money from the banks Let's see what they do when they got no money for tanks!
We know that taxation theft and that government is slavery ay (It’s a modern form of slavery) We paying no mind or money to false “authority” (No mind to authority) Because we own the product of our labor and our divine creativity (Creativity divine) We wont be used for funding war and genocide and heavy weaponry (Heavy weaponry not mine) Taxation theft! (And we already know that it is oh yea) Taxation theft! Taxation is theft! Taxation theft! (So why we paying the government ah corrupt ah crooks you know) Taxation theft! Taxation! (Nah go pay it anymore)
Prezence: The banks of the river guide the flow of the currency Now all of a sudden for the first time in history You can get your currency out of the banks and grow your own Take ownership of your life force energy Even back in the days of Rome they used silver and gold To protect against the parasitic entities So now I use ancient and modern technology Stackin’ precious metals and crypto crypto is my philosophy To thrive and prosper through to the coming apocalyptic collapse Monero being used to the counter economic attack Livin life like a certain Samuel Edward Conkin the third Inspired by the agora the free markets Absurd that Ross Ulbright still locked up for just creating one Countless other men and women lives ruined or done For heaven’s sake let us engage in voluntary transactions No criminal in the middle takin' fractions!
33: The sickest thing of all is we're playing a role They aint just taxing your wallet, they tax your soul Some turn a blind eye to the crimes they fund By taking from your wallets, they buy the guns The bullets and the bombs they keep raining down On the innocent children, victims go in the ground I’m praying for the day the atrocities will cease Whether its the government man, or the violent police We’re capable of more but I know it seems difficult Like a better humanity almost seems mythical Together we have the power to rise above Reject the hate and division, we can choose love! Let's build a foundation that stands the test of time This means resist taxes, dont give'em a dime We can build a world based on morality and consent The march to the new world order, we can prevent, yea!
We know that taxation theft and that government is slavery ay (It’s a modern form of slavery) We paying no mind or money to false “authority” (I pay them no mind or money) Because we own the product of our labor and our divine creativity (Creativity divine yea) We wont be used for funding war and genocide and heavy weaponry (Heavy weponry not mine) Taxation theft! (I won’t be paying for no genocide in Gaza) Taxation theft! (I won’t be paying for a proxy war in the Ukraine) Taxation theft! (Authority comes from ourself from within) Taxation theft! Taxation yea!
FreePalestine #FreeHumanity #PeaceNow
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