Last month ESPN the Magazine ran an interesting article about the MMA fighter Jeff Monson, who calls himself an anarchist and has been involved in various protest movements.Reached by telephone today, Monson, who is out of state, took responsibility for the graffiti at the Capitol. He said that it had a point: to protest the war in Iraq and economic inequality at home and abroad.The ESPN article certainly wasn't an attempt to make Monson look bad; it portrayed him mostly as a man with strong convictions. (It also overstated how good a fighter he is, referring to him as a Top 10 heavyweight.) But the article could end up costing Monson his freedom. He faces 10 years in prison.
"Every great movement in the United States, from civil rights, women's rights, the labor movement, has been the result of people standing up and breaking the law, refusing to stand at the back of the bus, refusing to stand aside when the government asks you to get off their property," Monson said. "And now, these people are seen as pioneers. But at the time, they were criminals - they were literally criminals. I'm not here to advocate for myself; at some point you have to stand up."
Eric Schafer from Wisconsin, USA, right, defeats Brazil's Antonio Mendes, center, in the Light Heavyweight bout in the Ultimate Fighting Championship event, in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
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Martin Kampmann from Nevada, USA, left, lands a kick on Brazil's Alexandre Barros, right, in the Welterweight bout in the Ultimate Fighting Championship event, in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
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Eric Schafer from Wisconsin, USA, foreground, reacts after defeating Brazil's Antonio Mendes, bottom center, in the Light Heavyweight bout in the Ultimate Fighting Championship event, in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
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Jeremy Horn from Utah, USA, top, competes with Brazil's Rousimar Palhares, bottom, during the Middleweight bout in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
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Dennis Silver, left, from Germany fights against Nate Moher of Illinois, USA, during the Lightweight bout in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
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Mike Wehrs, MMA President & CEO (Photo: Business Wire)
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LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 10: UFC fighters CB Dolloway (L) and Ryan Bader arrive at the 26th annual Adult Video News Awards Show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center January 10, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** CB Dolloway;Ryan Bader
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Recording artist Pink attends UFC 92, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
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Wanderlei Silva begins to fall after a knock out punch by Quinton Jackson, right, during their UFC light heavyweight mixed martial art match Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
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Quinton Jackson celebrates his first round KO over victory over Wanderlei Silva during their UFC light heavyweight mixed martial art match Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
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