Avens O'Brien

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Avens O'Brien
Avensobrien2018.jpg
Libertarian Party of New Hampshire
Vice-Chair
2006—2008
Personal Details
Birth: 10 October 1987
Education: St Anselm College
Occupation: VP of Operations, Advanced Mycology
Residence: Los Angeles, California
Party: Libertarian
Media
Website: http://www.avens.me
Facebook: Facebook
Twitter: Twitter
Instagram: Instagram
view image gallery

Avens O'Brien is a writer, speaker, entrepreneur, and activist based in Los Angeles, California. She sits on the board of Feminists for Liberty. She is a frequent speaker and photographer at liberty-oriented conferences and a writer on libertarian subject matter, known for her contributions at The Libertarian Republic, an online news publisher. She publishes her convention photography and much of her commentary on Facebook, and on her personal Substack.

She was a delegate seated with the delegation of the Libertarian Party of California at the 2016 National Convention, 2018 National Convention, and National Convention 2022 and was the Vice-Chair of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire from 2006-2008. Her long-time partner (since 2012) is former Vice-Presidential candidate Judd Weiss.

She is a Lifetime Member of the national Libertarian Party (2020), as well as a Lifetime Member of the Libertarian Party of California (2021). In 2022, the Libertarian Party of Texas gave her a Lifetime Membership to their state affiliate. In 2024, the Libertarian Party of Indiana gave her a Lifetime Membership to their state affiliate.

She gave an endorsement in The Libertarian Republic for 2020 candidate Vermin Supreme and gave a nominating speech for him at the National Convention 2020.

Early & Personal Life

Avens O'Brien is often referred to as a "Second Generation Libertarian" due to her parents' involvement in party activism in the 1970s and 1980s. Her mother is Domi O'Brien, former Secretary of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire and candidate for Governor of New Hampshire in 1986. Her father is Arne Erickson, former activist and candidate for several offices in New Hampshire. Her mother's father John "Jack" H O'Brien ran for Congress as a Libertarian in New Hampshire in 1976 (and was endorsed by the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire in his 1974 primary campaign for Congress on the Republican ticket).

Both of her parents were active in petition drives and ballot access initiatives as well as campaigning locally for candidates, and hosting speakers such as Murray Rothbard, Roger MacBride, and Irwin Schiff at their home. Her mother was very active with the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union, and the Alliance for the Separation of School & State. Her parents were homeschoolers and advocates for alternative education.

O'Brien grew up primarily in New Hampshire, and began college at 14. Her early activism was primarily centered around opposing the federal government's actions following the events of September 11th, 2001. She attended numerous anti-war protests and a Badnarik campaign event in NYC in 2004. She ran for and was elected Vice Chair of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire in 2006, at age 19, and stepped down in 2008.

August 12, 1976 - NH Telegraph
August 12, 1976 - NH Telegraph

She moved to Los Angeles in 2010. She began dating activist Judd Weiss in 2012. She began photographing liberty events in 2013, and speaking at liberty conferences in 2016.

Professional Life

O'Brien worked at Euro Pacific Capital from 2013-2014.

She is an investor in and contractor (she works in finance & accounting) for a YouTube Multi-Channel Network specializing in advertising & influencers within emerging Asian markets, since 2014. She worked in the cannabis industry in Los Angeles from 2017-2021.

She co-founded Coast 2 Coast Mycology with business partners in 2020, which was later integrated into Advanced Mycology.

She is a co-founder and VP of Operations for Shrüm by Advanced Mycology. Their mission is decentralizing access to the medicinal, therapeutic & recreational benefits of mushrooms. They produce mushroom grow bags & genetics, sold online and in more than 500 stores across the country. She has appeared in promotional videos for the brand alongside Mike Tyson with whom they have a branded product.

She also produces psychedelic education and advice through Instagram & Tiktok as @YourTripSister.

Federal Campaigns

Endorsements

O'Brien has stated publicly that she does not endorse candidates for Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary or Treasurer as a rule, citing her interest in unity and decreased factionalization. She has endorsed one candidate for internal party office (LNC At-Large) and two presidential candidates seeking the nomination.

Internal Party Positions

Caucuses & Liberty Organizations

O'Brien does not endorse any broad-based caucus within the Libertarian Party, preferring single-issue caucuses.

Conventions & Party Events

National

State Level

County Level

  • Los Angeles County Convention 2014 (Photographer, Delegate)
  • Bexar County, Texas Fundraiser 2018 (Speaker)
  • Los Angeles County Convention 2021 (Photographer, Delegate)
  • Los Angeles County Convention 2023 (Photographer, Delegate)
  • Los Angeles County Convention 2024 (Host, Delegate)

Noteworthy Liberty Speaking Engagements

2016
2017
  • Sex Work & Liberty (Panel) - PorcFest 2017
  • Women in Liberty (Panel) – PorcFest, 2017
  • You’re Not Fucking Us Up (Raising Liberty Kids) (Mainstage Speech) – PorcFest, 2017
  • Millennials & Liberty (Panel) – Freedom Fest, 2017
  • Feminism & Liberty (Panel) – Australian Libertarian Society, 2017
  • Alternative Education Methods (Panel) – Australian Libertarian Society, 2017
  • How To Talk About Liberty (w/ Naomi Brockwell) (Keynote Speech) – Australian Libertarian Society, 2017
2018
  • Social Media & Liberty – National Convention 2018
  • Burning Man (Panel) - Freedom Fest, 2018
  • MeToo Movement (Panels) - Freedom Fest, 2018
2019
  • Loving Liberty, Not Just Hating The Other Guy (Mainstage speech) – Anarchapulco 2019
  • Agorism (Panel) – Australian Libertarian Society, 2019
  • Drug War (Panel) – Australian Libertarian Society, 2019
  • Social Media (Panel) – Australian Libertarian Society, 2019
  • Feminism (Panel) – Freedom Fest 2019
  • Masculinity (Panel) – Freedom Fest 2019
  • Millennials (Panel) – Freedom Fest 2019
  • Markets, Not Politics (Mainstage Opening Speech) – AnarchoVegas 2019
2020
  • Markets, Not Politics (Mainstage Speech) - Liberty Forum 2020
  • Making Yourself Useful for Liberty (Mainstage speech) – Anarchapulco 2020
  • Vermin Supreme Nomination Speech - LNC 2020
  • Victimless Crimes (Breakout Speech) - Australian Libertarian Society, 2020
  • Making Yourself Useful for Liberty (Gala speech) - LP Texas 2020
2021
  • Feminism & Liberty (Panel) - Freedom Fest 2021

2022

  • Making Liberty Look Good (Breakfast Speaker) - Minnesota Convention 2022
  • Making Liberty Look Good (Lunch Speaker) - Texas Convention 2022
  • Sex Work Decriminalization (Panel) - Freedom Fest 2022
  • Life After Roe: What Abortion Prohibition Looks Like (Panel) - Freedom Fest 2022
  • Taboo & Grey Markets (Panel) - Freedom Fest 2022

2024

References

  1. ↑ https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2016/04/avens-obrien-second-generation-libertarian-speaks-out-about-growing-up-libertarian-leaving-the-party-and-coming-back/
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