Tomorrow, American Spring Editor Paul Ellison, will appear in court on charges stemming from his arrest February 15.

I will face four misdemeanor counts. They are for driving while expired, failure to produce proof of insurance, misdemeanor count for marijuana possession and a fourth count for paraphernalia. Below, you will find the events of my arrest, as I relayed them to Joyce Miller, Editor of the Lake Sun. I have included her responses.

Our exchange followed the submission of a piece called ‘The End’. This piece was reprinted in the Lake Sun on March 12 under the title ‘Our Country Has Become a Fascist Machine’.

“From Paul Ellison:

Eric and Joyce,

Please consider this submission for the opinion pages. As always, thanks for your time and consideration.

Peace out.

Paul Ellison

https://americanspring2011.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/the-end/

Paul Ellison <americanspring2011@gmail.com>

Feb 27

Joyce Miller to me

Paul,

Can you provide additional details. When and who was deputy? What column had you written just prior?

This is very disturbing.

Feb 27

Paul Ellison <americanspring2011@gmail.com> to Joyce

Joyce,

The post in question was the last letter I sent to your paper titled ‘A Quiet Moment’. I posted it on my site on the evening of Feb. 14. Below, you will find the details as I sent them to friends and followers of my site, americanspring2011.com. The date of my arrest was Feb. 15. There are a few details that I did not include in the body of that email which I will share with you. You will find them at the bottom of this email message.

This afternoon, on my way home from work, I was targeted for arrest by the

Camden County Sheriff Department. Two officers, Sims and a plain clothes

officer, were seen waiting on V road (my normal route to and from work). My

co-worker and I saw them on the way back to the shop and remarked how odd

it was to see a black SUV parked above Tonka Hills restaurant. The reason

became apparent after we clocked out for the day and I began my drive

home.

Immediately upon sight of my vehicle, the officers pulled out behind me.

It is important to note that, like you, when an officer is behind me, I

take extra care driving. I came to complete stops, used my blinkers and

drove the speed limit. As I pulled in for gas, the lights came on.

It immediately became apparent the officers knew exactly who I was.

I informed the officer, who asked for my license, that I had recently

become aware the license was expired. He took my information and could

provide me no answer to what his probable cause was for stopping my

vehicle. He returned to my vehicle and placed me under arrest for what is

usually a violation handled with a ticket.

When I pressed the two officers for answers, the lead officer in uniform

answered “I knew you were breaking the law when you drove past me.”

“Driving with an expired license is illegal.” I continued to press for the

cause related to the stop in the first place, asking if they were waiting

for me to pass by (which certainly seemed the case) in order to pull me

over. The police officer answered that he had better things to do with his

time than wait for someone like me to drive by. Next however, he added

that he knew I had an expired license and was ”breaking the law”. That,

he offered, was his probable cause.

As I broke no laws whatsoever while driving and the vehicle I was in wasn’t

registered to me, I find that to be an absolute falsehood. When I asked

why he didn’t just write me a ticket, his answer was “It’s my decision” to

arrest me.

There is no doubt in my mind this was a targeted stop by the sheriff

department. They intended to arrest me. The question is, why?

One could pick a reason, as I have not been shy on either my web site or

the local media outlets about the corrupt system we find ourselves locked

in. Last night, I sent a tweet to Diane Franklin regarding legislation

being discussed in the state house. Recently, I made reference to the

sheriff on the Lake Sun’s Facebook page, questioning the decision to

outsource coroner duties. I have made many comments about Commissioner Luber, both on American Spring and in the paper.

I am firmly convinced this was a targeted act of retribution. I believe it

is a warning and a way to drain me of cash through fines, court costs, lost

work, etc.

It is a sign that tyrannical political machinery is deeply rooted in Camden

County. If they can target me for speaking out, they can and will target

anyone else who might be of a mindset to follow suit.

I need help. This story cannot, MUST not, be kept in a bubble of silence.

I was targeted for speaking out against power. They cannot be allowed to

get away with such bullying tactics. It leads to the NYPD and LAPD. It

leads to burned cabins and beaten and bloodied faces.

It is here.

Those of you who have lived in this community for years might have a better understanding of the department. You know the sorted tales much better than I.

It sets a dangerous and frightening precedent when people are picked up for talking, rationally, about the problems we are facing and their causes.

I ask that you share this story with others. That you call the KRMS radio

show and talk about it. That you write the paper. Most importantly, that

you share this email. The only way this tyrannical behavior can exist is

in silence.

I am one guy. I cannot do this alone. I need your help and, more

directly, we all need to help each other.

Joyce, as previously stated, there were a couple of other things. After I was in cuffs, I was asked by the officers if they could search my vehicle. When I didn’t immediately respond, they threatened to impound my truck, which I couldn’t afford. I consented. They claimed to have found a marijuana stem in a container and charged me with that and paraphernalia. I cannot confirm their findings as I didn’t have the opportunity to look in the small container they produced. They also ticketed me for lack of proof of insurance. The arrest however, was for the expired (not suspended) license.

If there is any additional information I can provide, please let me know. I would ask that you reply with your thoughts.

Thank you.

Feb 27

Joyce Miller to me

Wow I really need time to digest this.

A pot stem? That’s a stretch.

Feb 27

Paul Ellison <americanspring2011@gmail.com> to Joyce

I understand. Every word is true, Joyce. Every word. The reason I wrote The End is because, without help/attention/whatever they will not stop. Im sure of it.”

As you will notice, I have been unable to keep my promise to stop what I do. After I posted ‘The End’, I have received the best kinds of encouragement from those in our community. Kind words with kinder thoughts have been followed with verbal support in denouncing those who would seek to set a lower standard for our children’s school. Together, with support from those in the community like Eric Miller, who discovered Keim’s plagiarism, to the publisher of the Lake Sun, John Tucker who has denounced the tactics of the LACC 3, a coalition is being built. When our children are threatened, regardless of district, we respond. We speak out, we speak up.

I was sincere when I said I was at my end with this. What I have realized however, is that there are too many good people, too many good kids, whose present and future are being put at risk. The education of our children is the most important legacy we can provide our children. From education, from knowledge, comes understanding. Through understanding comes compassion and from that: mercy. We want our children to be good people, to have good hearts and common sense. Common sense is the product of education and wisdom.

It is time we used more of it ourselves.

Part of their education is the example we set for them. Our children learn how to behave from our actions. They learn how to conduct themselves as we conduct ourselves.

I cannot quit. I wish I could. Willful ignorance is the worst kind of example we can set for our children. Cowardice is not a virtue I want to instill in my kids.

Tomorrow will tell a particular tale.

No matter what happens, I intend to write it.