Superhero Phoenix Jones stands guard at Seattle May Day protest
May 2, 2012, 9:17 AM | Updated: 11:48 am
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.
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