Superhero Phoenix Jones stands guard at Seattle May Day protest

BY Jamie Skorheim  on May 2, 2012 @ 9:17 am (Updated: 11:48 am - 5/2/12 )

spaceneedle
Seattle's self- proclaimed superhero Phoenix Jones called into Ross and Burbank to discuss the protest violence in Seattle on May Day. (AP Photo/file)

Seattle police weren't the only ones trying to stop the violence that erupted at May Day demonstrations in Seattle. Self-proclaimed superhero Phoenix Jones was also on the scene.

"I got hit in the face with a stick and hit with a rock," said Jones of the bruising he took standing up to protesters.

Black-clad protesters using sticks and bats smashed stores and automobile windows during May Day demonstrations that turned violent in Seattle.

In an appearance on 97.3 KIRO FM's Ross and Burbank Show, Jones said his presence at the demonstrations was not about the protest, but about the damage that a small group of participants were determined to wreak on the city.

"I don't care if people want to protest, that's your right as an American," said Jones. "But when you want to hurt other people's businesses, when you want to break property, when you want to vandalize, I don't put up with that."

Jones was joined by other superhero friends Midnight Jack and El Caballero. He said it was a scene they witnessed at the federal building that finally drew them into the fray.

"They broke the windows to the building and then started throwing stuff that was on fire and exploding inside the building where the people were," said Jones. "That's when me and Midnight Jack and Cabbie said 'this is enough, we're stepping in.'"

In a post to his facebook page, Jones blamed the trouble on a "small group of black water anarchists that made open threats to try and destroy key buildings in my city."

"It is ridiculous and against everything I stand for to watch people purposely commit acts of terror, violence, and mayhem," Jones wrote.

Jones, who calls himself "the guardian of Seattle," told Ross and Burbank he's dedicated to serving the city in big incidents like this, and generally does about five patrols a week.

He said his job has become a little more difficult after he was arrested in October and his pepper spray was at the center of debate. The city attorney declined to file charges in the case, but Jones isn't taking any chances these days.

"It makes my life a little harder," said Jones. "I have to make sure 100 percent it's justifiable, but I like that accountability."

He does however find a few more bumps and bruises without it. "I'm willing to take a rock or take a stick if I have to."

Jones said he didn't use any pepper spray during the May Day protest, and plans to release a full video of the event taken from his point of view.

By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

You might also be interested in:

Dave Ross Commentary: May Day; May Day!

Seattle businesses recovering after May Day violence

'The people's villain' Rex Velvet wants to rid Seattle of superhero Phoenix Jones

Jamie Skorheim, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Whether it's floating on Green Lake, eating shrimp tacos at Agua Verde, or taking weekend drives out to the Cascades, she loves to enjoy the Pacific Northwest lifestyle as much as humanly possible.
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Miracle
    Seattle native is only person ever cured of HIV and returns home to boost the cure

  • Back In Business
    A temporary bridge span across the Skagit River is set to open Wednesday

  • High Altitude Upgrade
    The state's highest outhouse atop Mount Rainier is getting a badly needed upgrade
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (11)


  • Add A Comment

  • ron prevost wrote...
    see you in the funny papers, idiot.
    May 2, 2012 10:20 am
    Did you read Batman comics as a kid (or last week) and think it was real ??? ...... Please, stay home and plat with something. Leave the hero work for those like fire fighters who actually have a clue as to dangers.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mr_Rancor wrote...
    Holy Moly Prevost...
    May 2, 2012 1:12 pm
    You are wound REALLY tight! Guys like PJ make life and the news a little more interesting. Count to three....grab your favorite beverage and chillax...please!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Well, just going out for coffee now - at my age, that's as strong as it gets.
    May 2, 2012 1:28 pm
    But did you hear the show ? This guy really believes. Not that under normal circumstances, his schtick wouldn't be amusing, but you do NOT walk into the middle of a riot playing comic books. .. Not that McGinn is much better, but at least the police know where the mayor is, most of the time. Most of the time.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • McCormick wrote...
    What did you do?
    May 2, 2012 1:23 pm
    Aside from calling someone who's standing up for whats right an idiot, that is? Are you saying that if you, or your wife were being mugged or attacked, and the only help around was PJ, you'd call him an idiot and tell him to beat it? I doubt it. Newsflash; police and firemen aren't always around. As long as he stays within the law, then I say more power to him.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • meansh37 wrote...
    "protestors"
    May 2, 2012 10:25 am
    Dave and Luke: You are giving these thugs legitimacy by calling them "protestors". They are not protesting anything when they commit these acts. Once they start destroying property or committing other acts of vandalism, they then are criminals. Plain and simple. Please refrain from referring to them as protestors. There's a difference.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    I was there at the Federal Bldg.
    May 2, 2012 4:07 pm
    Phoenix was there, too. Not a cop in sight. Maybe if other Seattlites had his testicular fortitude, people from out-of-town wouldn't trash our city.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • scuddrunner wrote...
    Good job Phoenix Jones!
    May 2, 2012 5:25 pm
    Seattle is full of pansies. At least you have the nads to "get er done." Keep up the good work!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
    May 2, 2012 8:15 pm
    There is a quiet majority that is sick and tired of dirtbags and thugs. Things are slowly beginning to change and more and more people are going to stand up for themselves
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    1 man (well, 2)
    May 2, 2012 9:16 pm
    does what an entire police force was unable to do?

    Why didn't McGinn praise him and his sidekick for their successes?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    Oh Save Us...
    May 2, 2012 10:36 pm
    Ambiguously Gay Man! Hey, where's Ace and Gary?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    at least he has morales
    May 3, 2012 5:53 am
    unlike the protesters smashing things and trying to hurt people.... (i guess people are okay with this kind of behavior...)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }