Erik Houdini Statement on First Amendment Case
State of Florida vs Erik Ebbesen

As some may have already seen, the case has hit the news, with reports which largely mirrors the arrest affidavit already in the public record. I am releasing this statement to make my position clear and to address the public directly.

I maintain my complete and total innocence.

I am innocent until proven guilty. That is not a platitude. It is a right guaranteed by the Constitution I swore to defend. The same Constitution that guarantees me the right to a public defender. The same Constitution that guarantees every American the right to free speech. I am confident that the constitutional process will maintain my innocence and vindicate me fully.

I have the same right to free speech as any other American. I have the same right to political expression as anyone else in this country. I intend to exercise those rights fully.

I have consulted with my public defender, who is actively working this case and has my full confidence. At present, my public defender has demonstrated diligence and competence, and I am grateful for his work. He has advised me that I should be minimal in my statements, but rest assured everything that can be done legally, is being done. Financial resources are limited, particularly in this economy, and the costs of mounting a full defense are significant. Court fees will add up. A legal defense fund has been established, and donations are critical to ensuring I can fight these charges. The link is provided here for those who wish to support.

I served in the National Guard. I pulled people off roofs during floods. I spent weeks in soaking wet clothes in disaster zones, defending this country from the forces of nature. I stood behind the Constitution then. I stand behind it now. That document is not abstract to me. I have lived its principles. I have put my life on hold to serve the communities it binds together. I have complete faith that the same constitutional framework I served to protect will protect me in return.

I want to speak directly about my community here in Lakeland. This is a beautiful working-class city. I moved here because of its robust music scene, its creativity, its refusal to be defined by the larger cities that often overlook it. Over the last two weeks, I have been surrounded by friends. I have taken calls and texts from people across this city who have reached out to offer support, solidarity, and strength. It has been with great pride that I have watched bands like Wormworld express their solidarity for me and the work I do.

I am innocent. We will fight these charges. And I will not abandon the community that has stood by me.

I am not taking media interviews at this time. I encourage everyone to read the public arrest records, to draw their own conclusions, and to support the legal defense fund if you are able.

— Erik Houdini

Erik Houdini Post-Arrest Statement
State of Florida vs Erik Ebbesen

As many know, on Tuesday Feb 24th, I was arrested in relation to a criminal case, due to allegedly "trolling" (as per the case affidavit) a well known right wing influencer. We ask anyone who is interested in further case details to review the publicly available trail files. I cannot say much of anything, in relation to this situation, which is very serious legally.

I can say that I'm free from jail thanks to the support from everyone involved. I can say that I am incredibly grateful for that support. I can say that continued donations and fundraising is very important, as legal fees will be very costly, potentially in the 10s of thousands of dollars. The lawyer we've spoken with has quoted potentially $20,000, though we are hopeful that we will find legal representation through liberation oriented organizations that can specialize in the political nature of the case.

I will say that, due to Florida law, this case and it's surrounding information is publicly accessible, and I can say that I encourage everyone to read it. I can say I have been able to pick up my dog as of today, that was paid for with donations, and comrades have continued to support me in this trying time. I can say that I lost the job I recently got, which is a major set back towards getting settled in Lakeland. As many know, I've been open about my living conditions and struggles to find reliable work, the struggles to get settled into Lakeland, the struggles to find my weekly motel rent.

Months after this incident, around the beginning of February, someone contacted me online pretending to be a concerned local who read my magazine. They expressed sympathy about my housing situation and asked where I lived and worked, with the potential that they could help me find cheaper housing. I answered honestly, thinking I was talking to a potential supporter. I've since blocked that account, removing them from all associated Discord and other discussion groups. We are not accepting new members of our discord server at this time, nor will we be making further contact with new persons on Discord. I will be reserving direct contact to only my close team, we ask any press or media outlets to refer to the publicly available case details or to contact us at houdinimag@proton.me.

I can say that the local community I have here in Lakeland is the type of community many spend their lives searching for, and I am incredibly grateful to call this city my home. I will continue to update people on my case and situation as it progresses. I will not be taking private messages at this time. I will not be answering questions about the case at this time. Please refer to publicly accessible records in relation to this case as linked below for more information. Thank you.

— Erik Houdini