ACLU No Longer Interested

***UPDATE***

The ACLU believes that, in light of the Asheville Police Department's Press Release, it is no longer a Constitutional issue and they cannot help us.

Ashevilles True Heroes

Asheville has several groups that have been protesting for years now and I think they deserve more attention than I do.

The Veterans for Peace, chapter 099 have a protest near the Vance Monument in downtown Asheville every Tuesday from 5-6pm. We stand with them in their efforts and encourage you to also. If you are for Impeachment, ending the war, civil liberties, or just accountability from the Bush administration, JOIN US!

The Women in Black have a silent vigil against violence at the Vance Monument on Fridays from 5-6pm. We stand in solidarity across the street from them and hold our protest signs to lend their silence a voice. These ladies have been an INSPIRATION to my wife and I. Please, JOIN THEM!

The Western North Carolina Peace Coalition is a group that does all kinds of great things in the name of peace and understanding. They have been doing good in the city long before we have. Please, LEND THEM A HAND!

And last but not least, Claire Hanrahan! SHE HELPS EVERY CAUSE FOR TRUTH AND LOVE IN THIS CITY AND SHE IS MORE OF A HERO THAN I WILL EVER BE! THANK YOU CLAIRE, YOU HAVE DRIVEN US TO KEEP UP OUR EFFORTS! Please lend her your attention for she is the mother of Asheville protests! (And she has written several nice books.)

Please give them your LOVE and ATTENTION! AND ESPECIALLY YOUR DONATIONS!!!

Thanks again to these groups, and to those that I don't know about... yet.

Freeway Blogging in America

Does anyone have information on someone else being arrested for Freeway Blogging? This is a phenomena that goes on across the country. Check out: Freeway Blogger.com for examples. People have been freeway blogging in Asheville for years now and my arrest is unfair. I did not 'hang my sign over the overpass' or post my sign on the bridge, (which is illegal in this city). I did however prop my sign on the ledge of the overpass as I held onto it. Lets not forget Sergeant Riddle's exclamations about me 'blocking the sidewalk'. Or the large printout of City Ordinance 16-2 in his hand as I was arrested. He never mentioned anything about me being a danger to motorist below. And as I mentioned before, we have a right to protest peacefully on the sidewalks of this city. As long as you do not block the walkway, road or business.
Besides, how can reading three words, 'IMPEACH BUSH / CHENEY' be a danger to motorist?

Asheville and America we encourage you to MAKE A SIGN, PICK A BRIDGE, and RAISE IT HIGH FOR ALL TO SEE! (Be sure to check your local ordinance). Freeway blogging has been going on for years and is a great and easy way to get your opinion seen by thousands of people.
When we started, it was our sole purpose to counter the corporate medias disinterest for Impeachment. We never imagined our message would spread across the country!!! Just Google 'Asheville arrest' or 'Jonas Phillips Asheville' and see for yourself. Since my arrest last Wednesday I have lost count of the minds that have been penetrated by our message online! So thank you Sergeant Riddle, you have helped our cause more than I could have ever done by myself!

Thanks everyone! Jonas

Support Alternative Media!

We started protesting in Asheville because the mainstream media seems more interested in Celebrity gossip and the race for 2008 than Accountability and Justice for the current administration. My wife and I decided to do our best to let people see our signs so they know there are dissenting voices out there. It's time to change what we watch and listen to! Watch DEMOCRACY NOW, or ASHEVILLE GLOBAL REPORT, and compare it to your regular news outlet. These two sites have video and audio that you can download and take with you. (I get Democracy Now every weekday morning and take it to work on my music player.) Years ago I used to watch FOX NEWS and CNN, and I thought I would never find any better news source. I WAS WRONG. WAKE UP TO REAL NEWS! Or just get your news directly from the ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Please support Asheville Global Report! They have a weekly show that covers global news that is UNDERREPORTED by the Corporate Media. The last month or so has been tough on them. As their funds are running short. PLEASE DONATE!

Also Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez on Democracy Now! I LOVE THIS SHOW! They cover the most IMPORTANT NEWS IN THIS COUNTRY! Thank you Amy, Juan, and everyone at the Firehouse Studio in NYC for all your hard work! WE ARE LISTENING!

You can catch both shows in Asheville, NC on local station 103.5 WPVM, the progressive voice of the mountains. Please support this station as well. (they need a stronger signal)
PLEASE DONATE!!!! Thank you to Barry Summers of the show Making Progress, AND Cecil Bothwell of Blows Against the Empire for letting me tell my story on your shows!

And I must thank Virato Live!. His show is broadcast on 880 The Revolution, an AM radio station. Virato has been a major voice behind my story and I THANK YOU SIR! Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing you and EVERYONE at the Patriots Meeting at the WEST ASHEVILLE LIBRARY on Tuesday Night at 6:30.

One more note, if you do listen listen to these shows encourage your family and freinds to also! It is important to spead the word and counteract the corporate grip on news. Please support alternate media in your city and let us know if you have a news outlet we should check out.

Thanks Again, Jonas.