Today marks the launch of Free Louisiana, an organization dedicated to the goal of Louisiana becoming an independent country and “peacefully leading middle America to independence,” according to its website, FreeLouisiana.org.

“Most federal politicians have East & West Coast priorities and values. Our mission is rooted in the belief that Louisiana’s prosperity and values are best preserved by achieving self-governance,” said Larkin Jackson, president of Free Louisiana. “We want to use a democratic process to exercise Louisiana’s right to self-determination.”

According to a poll by SurveyUSA, a top-rated pollster, half of Louisianians want Louisiana’s government to become an independent country along with other states peacefully. The poll found that only 7% of Americans think the federal government should attack a seceding state.

Newsweek and The Daily Mail had already reported that such a movement was in the process of being organized.

Hy McEnery, vice-president of Free Louisiana, brings a wealth of experience as a political radio talk-show host and a former member of the Army Special Forces. McEnery also serves as a Southern Baptist minister, leading LAMB Ministries, which provides ministry and supplies to needy families in New Orleans.

Jackson argues, “The freedom of a state to withdraw its membership in any union is a state power that was not given up when the states formed the federal government. The US Constitution has a list of things that states may not do, but it does not include secession. And the Tenth Amendment says any powers that states didn’t delegate to the federal government are retained by the states, or by the people.”

“Louisiana polls show that support for discrimination ended long ago. An independent Louisiana would ensure that every race is treated equally,” their website says. It claims that the state would benefit economically from increased offshore oil drilling and converting federal tariffs at ports into state tariffs.