APD used unnecessary force
during arrests of protesters
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Asheville activist needs help
with pro-bono work on case
Editors, Asheville Global Report,
I am presently awaiting trial in Asheville on federal
charges of marijuana growing/distribution and guns that weren’t
mine. The US Marshals/FBI/Special Agents acknowledge that I am “not
a big time drug-dealer,” but that I am an “eco-terrorist”
(the name they’ve told my family & how they are trying to portray
me to the press/prosecution). This is because of my years of dedication
to non-violent environmental activism. The deal they have offered is
1-2 years if I snitch/infiltrate any other “eco-terrorists”
or life in the federal pen if I don’t simply give up names/cooperate.
They’ve also threatened a pregnant ex-girlfriend, my ex-wife and
six-year-old son; both my parents and several friends/acquaintances.
They’ve got me in 23-24 hour Super Max lockdown with limited visitation
and are literally starving me and the other inmates (mostly mentally
ill) in my unit. I am attempting to pursue a class-action lawsuit and
need immediate funds to pursue this seriously as well as to put together
a decent defense against these unjust marijuana laws and fabricated
additional charges that very seriously threaten to lock me up for the
rest of my life.
I am a long time reader/supporter of AGR since its conception and very
much appreciate the subscription and am sharing each issue with others.
Please help me with any donations/pro-bono work that anyone who reads
this plea can muster. I plan to go to trial and be sentenced within
a month so time is critical.
Direct all help to:
Thomas W. “J.J.” Hicks, c/o Bill Gorz/ KEF! Legal Defense
/ P.O. Box 1485 / Asheville, NC 28802 / Ph. (828) 225-0814
or write me directly at:
Buncombe County Detention Facility, 20 Davidson Drive / Asheville, NC
28801
PS: Also, please write or call your following state employees and complain
about the literal starvation occurring at BCDF.
Senator Steve Metcalf / PO Box 1694 / Asheville, NC 28802
Chief Robert G. Lewis / Head of Health and Human Services / 2710 Mail
Service Center / Raleigh, NC 27699
“Cry or curse or call it unfair, but be grateful
til the grave that in this hurt, you’re the one who received, not
the one who gave.” — Carol Lynn Pearson
“While roaming the shoreline of life be aware that
the tide will soon erase every sign of your passing. Look to the horizon
and ask your heart why you dally at the water’s edge, when there
is no longer any doubt as to the inevitable crossing.” — P.J.
Johnson [wrongfully imprisoned and executed by the state of Texas under
then-governor George W. Bush]
“One has to face fear, or forever run from it.”
— Hyemeyosts Storm
J.J. Hicks
Asheville, North Carolina
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APD used unnecessary force
during arrests of protesters
Editors, Asheville Global Report,
There are several dates that I recall that have made me
into the person I am today. I will only cover a few in this letter.
March 20, 1973 that was an important one. I was born on that day and
this whole crazy ride called life started for me. June 29, 1991, my
son was born. August 29, 1995 my twin girls were born. August 1, 1998,
I left my home in Austin, TX to fly to Kunsan airbase in South Korea
to tour the Pacific to entertain US troops stationed there. September
11, 2001, I stood 13 blocks away from the World Trade Center as tower
two and than one fell and I witnessed the loss of over 2,800 lives.
March 1, 2003, the day I realized I had found the home I had been looking
for so long — Asheville, NC. March 20, 2003, my 30th birthday.
This day will be the day that I will remember as the day I could no
longer freely speak my mind for fear of my own government.
Like so many other people today who woke up fearing for the lives of
our troops in the Persian gulf, I have many reasons for opposing this
war but the lives of our troops were first on my mind. When I was in
Korea I had the same conversation with every soldier, male or female,
on every base we played: they wanted to talk about home. Anything at
all about home.
I wonder how many of the troops going to war today are thinking that
very same thing. I bet we all know the answer to that.
Today I did what I felt was my responsibility as an American. I took
to the streets to let my voice be heard! I marched through the streets
of Asheville so that people would know that we don’t have to support
this war. So that I could do everything in my power to bring our troops
home. I wanted my children to know that they DO NOT have to fall in
line when their government does something that they believe is wrong
without even asking their opinions as citizens. I was so proud of everyone
marching with me and proud that I lived in a country that I could speak
my mind with no fear. Several minutes into the march I was shocked to
find that my voice would be silenced by violence. Violence I just can’t
believe. Aggression and intimidation. The oppression that we claim to
be fighting against in IRAQ right now!
At first the officers were just walking with us, talking on radios,
looking very puzzled. Half of us were on the sidewalk, the other half
in one lane of the road (I stayed on the sidewalk). They were asking
us to move to the sidewalk. There were about 100 protesters (I’m
guessing), chanting and marching hand in hand peacefully. Very little
traffic was around and we were moving along at a pretty good pace. After
2 or 3 minutes of this, the police cars started moving in. They pulled
right up on us, forcing people onto the sidewalk with 2,500-lb cars.
Next thing I know there are 20 to 30 officers pushing us very violently
to the sidewalk shouting and looking very pissed off. I watched as one
officer (his name, Officer Mormon) put his elbow into a women half his
size, knocking her to the ground (he was a very large and strong man).
He had this look of pure disgust and anger on his face. He then stood
over her as she lay on the ground and started making aggressive moves
toward her and a man she was with. She stood up and asked him what right
he had to assault her. This woman was already moving to the sidewalk
and was almost completely on it when he attacked her. I didn’t
really know what to do. This is only one of many similar attacks I witnessed
today. Someone in our group yelled SIT DOWN. So I did and so did everyone
else. The police allowed us to stay on the ground for about a minute,
but the paddy wagon rolled in and they just started yelling at us through
the loudspeaker. I watched as several officers with cans of something
(I assume tear gas) and guns that looked like tasers or stun guns moved
in on us. I was very alarmed by all of this. We all got up and started
to move. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. We turned a corner
and then they had us trapped. The street ahead was blocked and they
were moving in behind us. Most of us moved to the sidewalk and continued
our chant, “What do we want? PEACE! When do we want it? NOW!”
in a show of solidarity. The paddy wagon pulled in and the police just
started picking people off the sidewalk and dragging them into the street
and arresting them. All I could think about was if these people get
me into jail I’m gonna get beat up! My girlfriend and I just moved
away as fast as we could. I feel now that I would have stayed if I could
do it again, but I was afraid of what they might do to me or my girlfriend.
I understand that some people in the group were breaking the law by
WALKING in the street. WALKING IN THE STREET! Let me say that again!
WALKING IN THE STREET! Did we need to be attacked? Several people obeying
the law were arrested just because they were protesting what they feel
is an unjust war. Why does a badge allow police to break the law and
attack innocent citizens? Does this type of protest deserve this type
of violence? At what point does this cross the line and become UNNECESSARY
USE OF FORCE? That line was crossed time and time again today.
I can’t tell you how sad I felt. I am an American. I love living
here in Asheville and I love my country. I love it enough to stand up
and speak against my government when I think it is wrong and it is my
constitutional right! I love it enough to fly halfway around the world
and get paid nothing to give back to the men and women that provide
me with freedom. I love them enough to fight to bring them home.
I will remember this day most of all.
Damon Alexander
Asheville, North Carolina
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