Quartzsite, Arizona - July 28, 2011 - Jennifer "Jade" Jones publishes The Desert Freedom Press, a community paper dedicated to open government in her town of 3,500 residents.
"I think I've been arrested now four times," says Jones. "Once you're in custody, whether they tell you you're under arrest or they read you your rights, it's kind of a moot point."
Jones says her first arrest happened after she decided to run for an open council seat and to start her own newspaper.
"I was arrested for calling 911 to report that building official Al Johnson had come unto property that we leased and [he] shoved me when I told him he needed to come back with a warrant for being there after business hours and I was arrested for false reporting to law enforcement."
Jones says the second arrest happened days later when police handcuffed on the steps of the town council building her in front of an audience who came to listen to town council candidates. She says no warrant was ever presented.
"I can only assume that they were trying to discredit me in my campaign in my bid for town council," says Jones."
Jones made headlines when a video of her third arrest at a town council meeting by Quartzsite Police went viral.
"One of the council men objected out of order and the Mayor told everyone they were out of order and that I had the floor to speak," says Jones. "ut they weren't inclined to hear what I had to say. It was either what I had to say or the fact that it was me. I'm not sure which."
And affidavits from the nine police officers placed on administrative leave seem to back Jones up.
"Per their own sworn statements, they were instructed to target myself, a man named Michael Roth, who's a Republican precinct committee man, and the Mayor and a couple of other people," says Jones. In their own statements, we were targeted by the Police Department at the will of the council."
Jones believes her latest arrest was brought about in retaliation to a lawsuit she and her husband filed against Police Chief Gilbert for harrassment. All she wants is for her local government clean up its act, operate transparently and be accountable to its citizens.
"I don't think what's happening in Quartzsite is an isolated incident," says Jones. "I'm sure there are a lot of small towns across America who have a small group of people who think they're probably more important than they are or who like to feel important by wielding power at the local level, awarding contracts and, you know, things like that. And I just want people to know that you don't have to put up with it."
Courtesy: Qtown.us
Social Tools