Join us for this Sunday devotional from the Washington DC jail. Four inmates from the J6 pod share inspirational thoughts, things they are going through and insights from inside the jail.
To find out more about these inmates, their links are provided below:
Douglas Wyatt- Inmate #388263
Jonathan Grace - Inmate # 388212
Curtis Tate- https://www.givesendgo.com/CurtisTate
Dominic Wood- https://www.givesendgo.com/freedomj6
Thanks for listening! -Marie
https://rumble.com/v4e86b8-j6-picks-so-many-locks-part-3.html
I’ve been working on a series with a friend, to examine what it has been like being prosecuted by the Federal Government. Taylor calls in each episode and shares his thought on the topics discussed. We discuss some of the dangers with the precedent they are setting, of treating and going after our own citizens as if they are terrorist. We also talk about possible solutions. We talk about the importance of understanding some of the contracts you make with the government, without even knowing.
Join us for Session 3 today at 2:00 pm PST.
I got to visit Taylor in jail not too long ago. It was so nice to see him. I am able to talk to him pretty often on the phone, but seeing him in person was reassuring. He has the same twinkle in his eyes and as usual, was quick to smile. It was so good to see him.
Arriving at the jail I was surprised to see such a different side of D.C. The area felt unsafe and was definitely a neglected part of the city. I didn't expect that. I also didn't expect how startling it was to see where he is living. Barbed wire circling the tops of the walls, feeling like you walked into a third-world building, litter everywhere, cars parked up on curbs and in grassy areas. It was just startling. So sad to think of that being Taylor's home..it's heart breaking really. How badly I wished I could bring him home with me.
I don't really know what the solution on jail should be, but I feel like there could be a better way, and it's worth exploring. I'm working on starting a non-profit right now. We just incorporated and are working on our non-profit status... I'll talk more on that another time. But, while doing some research, I was shocked to find out that the U.S. has the highest incarceration rate out of any country. I've read quit a bit about what incarceration does to children and families, even generationally. It affects society in a major way, and even still, it seems to be something we turn our head from. I've felt the affects it has had on our family, and we have been beyond blessed with so much support. My heart aches for the families that have to endure this.
I flew into DC Thursday and left on Saturday. I was able to stay with a college roommate that I haven't seen in over 20 years, and that was wonderful. We stayed up talking both nights, until our eyes couldn't stay open any longer. She lives in Virginia, about an hour and a half from the airport. I so enjoyed the drive going to her home. The rolling hills of that part of the country, and the bushy trees were gorgeous. I could imagine the landscape of the 1700's, when America was just a baby, and it was an overwhelmingly sweet experience. Before my flight on Saturday I got to visit Mount Vernon. I loved the 4D Revolutionary War documentary, touring Washington's home, learning about the slaves that worked on his farm and taking in the unaltered view on the beautiful Potomac River. It was breathe taking to walk around the property and take in the farm scene. I was planing on spending some time to see the Capitol that day, but I was so enamored with Mount Vernon, I had a hard time leaving...I guess the other sites will be left for another day.
Friday evening, after I visited Taylor, I attended a January 6th vigil. Ashli Babbitt's mom started the vigil more that 500 days ago and it has run every night since then. While we were outside the jail various inmates would call in to discuss anything they would like. It was great to have Taylor call in and hear him speak, while being so close to where he was at. At the end of the vigil the inmates inside of the jail sang the National Anthem, while we joined them singing from the outside. The whole thing was emotional for me, and I'm glad I was able to go. Not only was I glad to hear Taylor, but so glad to meet so many people that are in DC to support him and other J6 inmates that have gone through that jail. J6 vigils have popped up in other parts of the country since then...it was an honor to be there and meet those people.
If you are interested in listening to the vigil that night, I'll include the link : https://www.youtube.com/live/cGRv5cksnaI?si=lCPhUBT6vP_pThyW
(All of it is great, he talks at 1:31:00)
Join us for this Sunday's devotional from the Washington DC jail. Four inmates from the J6 pod share inspirational thoughts from the inside.
To find out more about these inmates, their links are provided below:
Taylor Johnatakis-Follow our family's story at peasantsperspective.com and https://www.givesendgo.com/johnatakisfamilyhelp
Doug- inmate 388263
Daniel Ball- https://www.givesendgo.com/GAUX1
Dominic Wood- https://www.givesendgo.com/freedomj6
Thanks for listening! -Marie
Join us for this Sunday devotional from the Washington DC jail. Three inmates from the J6 pod share inspirational thoughts from the inside.
To find out more about these inmates, their links are provided below:
Taylor Johnatakis-inmate #387358 - Follow our family's story at peasantsperspective.com and https://www.givesendgo.com/johnatakisfamilyhelp
Scott Miller- inmate #387919
Dominic Wood-inmate #387287 https://www.givesendgo.com/freedomj6
Thanks for listening! -Marie
I hadn't ever read this Dr. Seuss book until the other day when I was reading it to my kids. I recorded it here, with thougts on the conversation that followed. I hope you enjoy this timeless tale and the valuable lessons we can learn from it.
Common Sense: Applied Today,by Taylor Johnatakis, is an effort to revisit the foundational ideals that birthed the great American experiment. Join us as we delve into how these principles have been neglected. Common Sense:Applied Today, reflects on our current state and the ways in which we have strayed from the original intent and ideals of a free Republic. This is a 5 episode series (including the indroduction).
Taylor writes this work while he is in the DC Jail, awaiting sentencing, for his involvement with Jaunaury 6th.
Visit our website to see more of Taylor's writings and other things going on with the Johnatakis family at: peasantsperspective.com
Common Sense: Applied Today,by Taylor Johnatakis, is an effort to revisit the foundational ideals that birthed the great American experiment. Join us as we delve into how these principles have been neglected. He reflects on our current state and the ways in which we have strayed from the original intent and ideals of a free Republic. This is a 5 episode series.
Taylor writes this work while he is in the DC Jail, awaiting sentencing, for his involvement with Jaunaury 6th.
Visit our website to see more of Taylor's writings and other things going on with the Johnatakis family at: peasantsperspective.com
Common Sense: Applied Today,by Taylor Johnatakis, is an effort to revisit the foundational ideals that birthed the great American experiment. Join us as we delve into how these principles have been neglected. He reflects on our current state and the ways in which we have strayed from the original intent and ideals of a free Republic. This is a 5 episode series, with more to come.
Taylor writes this work while he is in the DC Jail, awaiting sentencing, for his involvement with Jaunaury 6th.
Visit our website to see more of Taylor's writings and other things going on with the Johnatakis family at: peasantsperspective.com
Ben had two swim meets these last two weekends. He dropped 7 seconds in his breast stroke! Every time I mention how good he is doing, he shrugs it off. I’m sure he’s happy about it... but, you know... he likes to keep it cool...he's like that :).
Fisher had a basketball game this weekend too. He is so good at ball control, he has worked hard for that. I can tell he is loving his skills 😂. He goes under and over his legs and fakes out players that are guarding him- it’s pretty fun . I love to see how much he loves the game. We still watch something related to basketball every night before we go to bed.
The little boys are fun…as always. Their friends Jed and Obi came over this last week. They came home with us after we got done with the homeschool co-op on Wednesday. The boys went from hover boards to laser tag to the trampoline and then to roller blades. They are all about friends and fun these days!
Elise, of course, has been super helpful..they all have. The deadline to apply for the college she wants to go to is in March…how is she old enough!
Wish you were here to see it all.
Your mom is in town. She talked to Elise and Ben about working at scout camp as counselors again this summer. I know they want to help out at home, but I told them they HAVE to do it- every summer that they have gone, they have loved it so much.
My heart hurts for the directions we are all being pulled in. I'm sure it will be one of those things that we will be grateful for when we look back, you know... for all the lessons we were able to learn…but it is challenging …This has been the ultimate test, for me, of walking by faith.
I pray that I will be in tune with each one of the kids, with you and with where I should focus my attention. Mostly I pray that I will be in tune with God, so He can show me how to work all of that out. So far, that is how we have made it this far and I'm so grateful for the direction that I have gotten. It has always come when I have needed it, and it's getting easier and easier to trust in that- I've found a lot of comfort and confidence in that. I'm just so grateful.
I’m tired, but good.
Of course, I’m missing you so much, but Fisher is turning out to be a pretty good roommate :). He seems to be doing quite a bit better lately- I’m so grateful.
Love you
-Marie
Join us for this Sunday devotional from the Washington DC jail. Three inmates from the J6 pod share inspirational thoughts from the inside.
To find out more about these inmates, their links are provided below:
Taylor Johnatakis-Follow our family's story at peasantsperspective.com and https://www.givesendgo.com/johnatakisfamilyhelp
Scott
Dominic Wood- https://www.givesendgo.com/freedomj6
Thanks for listening! -Marie
Taylor had a podcast before his entanglement with the Federal Government. This is episode 207 of that podcast.
To donate or send a message to our family you can go to: https://www.givesendgo.com/johnatakisfamilyhelp
To follow our family's experience go to: https://peasantsperspective.com/
Taylor was asked to write a letter to the press- these are his thoughts, looking back:
My name is Taylor James Johnatakis. That’s the name you will see on court documents and in the media. But that is not who is being punished by my incarceration, it’s my family. My beautiful wife and five children, ages 17, 14,11,6 and 4, are the ones who are really being punished, and they are as innocent as can be. I grew up in a wonderful loving family. I make no claim to perfection, or being close to it, but dedicated myself to trying to live a “good life”. I grew up an air force brat. My first memory was holding my fathers hand crossing the street to go to a carnival on the Yokota Air Force base, in Japan. Later my father got into the computer industry and we moved all over the west, with stops in Utah, California, Oregon and Colorado. Eventually my family settled in Meridian Idaho, near Boise. I served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil. While there I had a chance encounter with the woman who would eventually become my wife upon my return to the Boise area, nearly 20 years ago.
Since we reunited in Boise, we have been together everyday, with only a handful of separations that lasted no more than one week. We started a family while still in college. We have 5 children, although we have had 6. We lost one child, when while on a cruise, my wife went into early labor. Disembarking in Puerto Rico, we spent a few weeks there while my wife and newborn fought for their lives. My son Destin (short for destiny) passed away after 8 days of mostly breathing on his own…he had finally succumbed to his struggle. Even through this struggle with J6, losing a child was the hardest thing I have ever gone through. I remember the night my wife was released from the ICU, we prayed that God’s will be done. The next day Destin passed away. Looking back now, I recognize that experience gave us strength to endure the many more challenges life would bring our way, including the J6 prosecutions, where we have also prayed that God’s will be done.
We have always tried, and for the most part have, lived good lives. We have remained married, and brought 6 children to the world. I have always worked hard, most recently designing and installing septic systems in the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsula regions in Washington state (yes I know…it’s a crappy business). I did this so that my wife could be a stay out home mother and homeschool our 5 children, which she has done. Our home is a home where we have sought to make a place of peace and harmony. It’s a place where we could live and act out our core beliefs of God, family and country.
In college, I earned a degree in Political Science. I viewed politics as the ultimate WWE sport …much of what happens is for show, BUT, there is a direct line from the president’s desk to my dinner table. Government policy and regulations affect everything from the price of food to the cost of gas. I did not think Trump in 2016 would be any different. Sure he gave Trump speeches and appealed to the working man, but we had been through this many times with ”Mr. Hope and Change” himself. Donald Trump won me over after 4 years in office, when he did his best to keep his promises. When Trump was in office the price of diesel fuel, which I bought by the thousand of gallons for dump trucks and excavators, was affordable. My business partner once said, “when Trump got elected, it was like someone flipped a light switch and we started making a profit”.
Fast forward to January 6, 2021. I came on a whim, invited by an in-law on a whirlwind trip. I made the 2,000 mile journey from Washington state to Washington, DC. I was under no illusion that Trump would likely not win the electoral college count, given the conditions at the time…but remember I viewed politics like WWE. In the summer of 2020, like many Americans, I was disgusted by COVID and the political insanity that followed. I started a podcast called “The Peasant’s Perspective, New Commentary for the Common Man”. The premise of the podcast was that no matter what the government does, we peasants have to stay focused on our families, and in many cases, survive day to day. January 6th for me, was an opportunity to get “content” for experiential storytelling, to see a major moment in history, win or lose. I was NOT incited by Trump. Before I set foot on capitol grounds I knew Mike Pence had denied the challengers to the election. I did not know a “riot” or “property damage’ or a pipe bomb had been placed at the DNC and RNC headquarters. But, rather I thought the overwhelming voice of the people would be heard and noticed by the politicians on the inside. Because I don’t carry violence or hate in my heart, I simply wanted to be heard. After watching my town board up their windows for a 2020 BLM/Antifa march and nearby Seattle lose a city block and the east police precinct (nearly without consequence), I viewed the rules of engagement more liberally. I assumed the cops would tolerate rowdiness and would let us know when the “lines were crossed” to a civil disturbance. In Seattle I had seen things like pepper spray used to guide a crowd or protect a “police line”, and frankly I was misinformed and misguided in the foreign land that DC is. I chose to get rowdy, but not violent, at the time I felt it was a right born of necessity. I would have gladly accepted the $65 “Welcome to DC protest” tickets that I had seen people from Martin Luther King Jr to Laura Loomer receive. Sadly, no such ticket came, rather I was charged with 3 felonies and 5 misdemeanors. The DOJ dropped one misdemeanor charge the morning of trial and I was convicted on 7 charges.
I chose to stand in my equity, to accept the charges (not a plea deal) to appear specially, as the people have a right to do, Judge Royce Lambert allowed and acknowledged this. I did not attempt to rebut or argue any facts, law, jurisdiction or venue. I asked many questions but never argued, there is a difference. I followed the example of Christ and subjected myself to their buffetings, without casting stones or claims in return. I know this path is not for everyone. Judge Lamberth was concerned enough for my mental state, he had me meet with a psychologist two times! Which, anyone who knows me, finds hilarious.
In the trial by jury, I asked the three police officers who testified if, “I hurt, harmed, threatened or injured them in any way?” their uniform answer was “no”, I then asked if they accepted my sincere and heartfelt apology in my role in the events of that day, to which they all said “yes”, one even saying “it’s water under the bridge”, and another saying “yeah, we are good”, with a smile on his face, another admitted we did not even interact. Ultimately I was convicted, no surprise there. The definition of a railroad is a track or course where the destination is determined. The J6 experience is a railroad….I accept that. Judge Lamberth told me, emphatically before trial, with emotion in his voice, ‘when you are done with this, you are going to jail’. He made good on his promise, remanding me one day before Thanksgiving to the DC gulag. My family thought I would have a few months to put affairs in order…instead I had my belt and shoelaces taken in court and was taken to a holding cell behind Lambert’s bench. In that cell the toilet was clogged, with feces and toilet paper piled high with a 3” dead cockroach on top, like a cherry on a crap fudge sundae. Psychological warfare … .or a bad cleaning and maintenance crew at the courthouse…I’m ot sure?
I entered the J6 pod of the DC Gulag on my birthday, November 28, 2023. I was grateful to be out of the near solitary confinement that they put you in for the first week, and to meet my new J6 family. Now the punishing part, watching my family daily struggle and suffer the unexpected loss of their husband, father and breadwinner. They are left to figure out how to continue on without me for who knows how long. It’s the families that are left behind that suffer. Any love, help and support would truly honor my family. My wife set up a Give Send Go account after I was remanded, It can be found at: https://www.givesendgo.com/johnatakisfamilyhelp
There my wife posted a link to the podcast I did upon my return to Washington state. It was a play by play of my J6 experience The DOJ refused to allow it into trial. When you watch it you will see why, take a look it’s worth the time.
Thank you so much,
Taylor James Johnatakis
Common Sense: Applied Today,by Taylor Johnatakis, is an effort to revisit the foundational ideals that birthed the great American experiment. Join us as we delve into how these principles have been neglected. He reflects on our current state and the ways in which we have strayed from the original intent and ideals of a free Republic. This is a 5 episode series, with more to come.
Taylor writes this work while he is in the DC Jail, awaiting sentencing, for his involvement with Jaunaury 6th.
The transcripts for this and other writings can be found on the his family's website: peasantsperspective.com ("Letters and Essays by Taylor" section).
