"Wake Up Jackson" Campaign

Jackson Free Press

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Go here and help us let our local government know that no one is above the law.

After the Melton verdict, a lot of us bloggers were amazed that someone could be found not guilty of breaking a law when it was clear that the law was broken. The defense argued that there was no evil intent involved, but evil intent is not mentioned anywhere in the description of the crimes committed. For example, look at the malicious mischief statute:

SEC. 97-17-67. Malicious mischief.
Every person who shall maliciously or mischievously destroy, disfigure, or injure, or cause to be destroyed, disfigured, or injured, any property of another, either real or personal, shall be guilty of malicious mischief.

Also, the damaged home was referred to as a crackhouse, but there is a Mississippi statute that should have been used to take care of this. As a matter of fact, the presiding judge read the statute to the mayor after the not guilty verdict was given:

SEC. 21-19-20. Proceedings to demolish abandoned houses or buildings used for sale or use of drugs.
(1) A municipality shall institute proceedings to have abandoned houses or buildings that are used for the sale or use of drugs demolished. The local law enforcement authority of the municipality shall have documented proof of drug sales or use in the abandoned property before a municipality may initiate proceedings to have the property demolished.

(2) The municipality shall file a petition to declare the abandoned property a public hazard and nuisance, and to have the property demolished with the circuit clerk of the county in which the property or some part of the property is located. All of the owners of the property involved, and any mortgagee, trustee, or other person having any interest in or lien on the property shall be made defendants to the proceedings. The circuit clerk shall present the petition to the circuit judge who, by written order directed to the circuit clerk, shall fix the time and place for the hearing of the matter in termtime or vacation. The time of the hearing shall be fixed on a date to allow sufficient time for each defendant named to be served with process, as otherwise provided by law, not less than thirty (30) days before the hearing. If a defendant or other party in interest is not served for the specified time before the date fixed, the hearing shall be continued to a day certain to allow the thirty-day period specified.

(3) Any cost incurred by a municipality for demolishing abandoned property shall be paid by the owners of the property.

[emphasis added]

What kind of precedent does this set? If a city official can destroy a home without due process, what does this mean for the rest of us? Can our homes be demolished at will? What if someone placed a rock of crack on your door step, declared it a crackhouse and used a wrecking ball to take out a wall? Would anything happen to him or her? Would you be arrested if you attempted to protect your home? Would the vandal be considered a hero? The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects us from improper search and seizure:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

It is time for the citizens of Jackson to wake up and realize that we need to protect our property and our rights. If you would like to help, join us here. You will be required to create a Google account. You will have to be a signed-in member to read the discussions and post messages. The list of members is not available to the public.

"Wake Up Jackson" is not a Melton-bashing campaign. It is simply a civic watchdog group that wants to keep him and the rest of our city officials in check.

Send inquiries to webmaster at wakeupjackson dot org.

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Previous Comments

ID: 112445
Comment: PLEASE NOTE: Safeguards are in place for approving members. If you do not follow the instructions given after applying for membership, your membership will be denied, and you will need to resubmit your request. Spamming, trolling and personal attacks will not be tolerated. Period.
Author: LatashaWillis
Date: 2007-04-28T20:15:58-06:00

ID: 112446
Comment: "No one is exempt from federal, state or local laws" aww, how about willie nelson. shouldn't he be allowed to smoke a little reefer every once in a while . . . =( Willie Nelson arrested
Author: djames
Date: 2007-04-30T22:56:02-06:00

ID: 112447
Comment: Willie Nelson arrested sorry
Author: djames
Date: 2007-04-30T22:57:24-06:00

ID: 112448
Comment: Yeah, I remember that. I wonder if he was able to stop. That stuff isn't good for you.
Author: LatashaWillis
Date: 2007-04-30T23:09:42-06:00

ID: 112449
Comment: Before the latest charges could get dropped Willie got arrested again. There is no hope for Willie. He's going to prison eventually. Anyway, he gave us two of my favorite songs before going to the slammer - All the Girls I love Before and Always on my Mind.
Author: Ray Carter
Date: 2007-05-01T07:30:18-06:00

ID: 112450
Comment: The group is approaching 20 members. Thanks to everyone who expressed interest in the campaign. I hope to broaden the scope of the group by also including community policing and overall improvement of the city. I am currently working on making Wake Up Jackson an organized civic association, so I will let you know when the official Web site is launched. For general inquiries, send an email to wakeupjacksongroup at gmail dot com.
Author: LatashaWillis
Date: 2007-05-08T17:15:34-06:00

ID: 112451
Comment: The official Web site has been launched. You can view it here. It needs a lot of work, but it's a start.
Author: LatashaWillis
Date: 2007-05-08T21:11:29-06:00

ID: 112452
Comment: The group now has 20 members! Also, promotional items such as bumper stickers and T-shirts are available for purchase. Please buy something and help us get this off the ground.
Author: LatashaWillis
Date: 2007-05-18T03:05:20-06:00

Ellington

"Wake Up Jackson" Campaign

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