WATCH: My Dad Shares His Story Escaping Socialism in New 'Witness Project' Video
From Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation
Good afternoon,
For you newbies out there, welcome to Outsider on the Inside. I hope this dispatch from in and around the nation’s capital on underreported topics finds you well.
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Witness Project: Boris Hoffman
The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that educates people about the horrors of socialism and communism, released its latest “Witness Project” video that features my dad, Boris Hoffman.
Here’s how they describe my dad’s story:
Born in Soviet-occupied Lithuania in 1954, Boris Hoffman grew up hearing the brutal stories of Stalin’s Gulag from his family, friends, and neighbors. Raised by parents who refused to join the communist party, and grandparents whose farm was collectivized by the state and who were later sent to a labor camp in Siberia, Boris saw through Moscow’s lies and realized at an early age that neither he, nor his family, could truly live in the Soviet Union — they could only hope to survive.
If you don’t know my family story, here’s a quick overview: My parents fled Soviet-occupied Lithuania—the Baltic nation that was the first of 15 occupied republics to formally break away from the USSR. They left in October 1985 and had stops in Vienna, Austria, and Italy, before landing in the U.S. on January 9th, 1986. (I was born a couple years later.)
In this video, my dad describes his upbringing as a Jewish man in Soviet-occupied Lithuania, my maternal grandpa surviving 17 months in a Russian gulag, friends and neighbors who were also oppressed, his interest in getting out of the USSR, and how he knew the Soviet Union would collapse.
It’s his first major interview thus far. One I’m especially proud of. Believe it or not, this endeavor was several years in the making. And I’m glad it materialized within the last year.
You can watch the video portion below:
Also listen to the expanded “Witness Project” podcast to hear more from him.
Madison Hughes to Sing National Anthem at Jaguars Game Sunday, September 17th
As I’ve previously noted, singer and songwriter Madison Hughes will perform the National Anthem at Sunday’s Jaguars vs KC Chiefs game. The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville.com) wrote a great profile of her upcoming appearance.
From News4Jax:
Madison has been making headlines nationally since her debut on NBC’s The Voice and now she is back again to show her support for the 9041 She’ll be singing the National Anthem at the JAGS Teal Out show this Sunday.
Locals will also have the opportunity to The Madison Hughes Band and Katie O at Underbelly for the Jags After Party!
If you’re in Jax Sunday, see Madison perform at 1pm ET and then catch the after party at The Underbelly at 6pm ET to see Madison and her band headline a concert.
Join Me in Dallas September 21-23, 2023
If you care about property rights and live near Dallas, Texas, I’d love to see you at the 2nd annual Stop 30-by-30 Summit being held September 21-23, 2023.
We have a great lineup of speakers—including a keynote from former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto. I’ll be moderating either a fireside chat or panel featuring Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) - chairman of the House Natural Resources Sucommitee on Federal Lands. Grab your spot now.
Hope to see you in Irving, TX!
ICYMI
Articles/commentary/media appearances from the past week.
MEDIA MENTIONS
I joined WMAL News last week to discuss Bureau of Land Management’s “equity” plan for outdoor recreation
And I was interviewed by The Epoch Times about the Biden administration’s reimagining of multiple-use management of public lands.
ARTICLES/BLOGS
Townhall: New Mexico is The Land of Disenfranchisement
Podcasts You May Have Missed
Catch up on District of Conservation episodes below.
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—Gabriella