In lower than a month, Okay. Joseph Thomas faces a choose and jury for 12 federal fees surrounding his attendance on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Joseph estimates he faces 30 years in jail. As a husband, father of 4, and residential for his father-in-law on hospice, he’s anxious concerning the well-being of the household for whom he’s the one breadwinner.
With the total weight of a politically weaponized authorities on his again, Joseph is aware of he’s going into the hearth, however that has by no means stopped him earlier than.
All through his life, Joe has achieved many accomplishments. Within the US Navy, he served in Afghanistan and Iraq (OEF and OIF). He married, and whereas elevating their 4 kids, earned a Bachelor’s diploma learning anthropology, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. He wished to grasp man and to have the ability to translate the Bible himself from the unique scriptures, which he has achieved. Joe enjoys referring to himself as a “slack-jawed yokel from West Virginia,” however he’s, nonetheless, a member of MENSA on the highest degree.
Joe and his spouse run a Christian-based canine rescue on their property. At present, he works tirelessly and unrelentingly within the discipline as {an electrical} engineer, all the time going above and past for his firm. Moreover, Joe is an impartial Christian minister and incessantly preaches on Sundays in native church buildings.
A couple of weeks in the past, Joe’s sermon was interrupted by an alert {that a} neighboring residence was on hearth. In typical trend, Joe bumped into the hearth. Tragically, the warmth, hearth, and smoke had been overwhelming, and the household misplaced their grandmother. The household reached out shortly afterward and requested Joe to carry out her funeral. It might be his first, and he directed all his further time that week in preparation to make it a lovely and uplifting goodbye. See Joseph’s interrupted sermon right here.
When Joe joined the US Navy, he took an oath to defend and defend the Structure. His naval coaching taught him to run towards the hearth, to assist the defenseless. On January 6, 2021, he did simply that.
Joe attended President Donald J. Trump’s speech on the Ellipse on that fateful day. Cognizant of doable threats from teams corresponding to Antifa, he made it a degree to be particularly conscious of his environment.
Upon seeing a lone backpack hanging 8 ft excessive in a tree, he alerted US Secret Service Brokers. They had been nonplussed. Joe discovered a number of field cutters and turned them over to the Secret Service, as properly.
** Click on right here to help Okay. Joseph Thomas’ authorized crew and dwelling bills.
After the speech ended, Joe adopted the group who had been invited by the president to protest peacefully and patriotically on the US Capitol. They had been in no hurry. It was a lovely, patriotic day. They walked alongside beneath an immense American flag because it was carried to the Capitol. By the point they drew close to, the odor of tear gasoline and the noise of explosions gave Joe concern, and he ran towards the hearth.
Arriving on the Capitol after 3 pm, and properly after Congress had evacuated, Joe moved to the entrance strains of the motion. He preached “No violence!” and “We again the blue!”
He took pipes away from folks and handed them to the police. He defended an aged man mendacity on the bottom, bleeding from his head after being struck by police. Joe by no means entered the Capitol constructing and by no means attacked a police officer, however they wielded their batons freely over the again of his head. He recorded a number of hours of video on his cellphone that day. Watch a few of that right here.
Learn what occurred subsequent in Joe’s personal phrases:
Weeks later, I used to be made conscious that my image appeared on the FBI’s Most Needed Checklist posted on Fb. In consequence, I sought authorized counsel who suggested me to allow them to discover me themselves. Quickly afterward, I started noticing indicators I used to be being surveilled.
Early one morning in Could 2021, whereas on the highway for work, I used to be caught off guard by a flash bang grenade and shouts from a completely armed FBI counterterrorism SWAT crew to get down. I absolutely cooperated, instantly, with out resistance. They then executed a search warrant amassing clothes and digital units from my resort room.
After my arrest, I used to be launched on a private recognizance bond. I knew that I used to be one of many lucky ones. Moreover, I knew God wished me out for a motive.
Other than with the ability to proceed to help my spouse, 4 kids, and father-in-law, who lives with us on hospice, I felt there was one other objective for my freedom, albeit restricted because of bond restraints. That summer season, I heard a recording of the DC political prisoners singing the Star-Spangled Banner from their cells. I discovered my calling to make use of the reward of freedom for the nice of others being persecuted.
I made a decision {that a} peaceable protest calling for Individuals to sing the Nationwide Anthem nightly in solidarity with the Jan. 6 hostages was the mission God was calling me to begin. I name this marketing campaign #Sing4Freedom.
In the end, I hope it continues to unfold throughout the nation with folks sharing their movies through social media with that hashtag. It not solely brings consciousness to the injustice of their persecution, nevertheless it reveals their households that Individuals stand with them. Please present them they don’t seem to be alone and take part on the peaceable protest #Sing4Freedom.
Be taught extra about #sing4freedom.
You would possibly ask why I went to the Capitol on January sixth. The reply is straightforward. I did it for Outdated Glory. I swore an oath to defend the structure and easily requested our representatives to signify the need of the folks and examine the election earlier than rubber stamping it.
Over the previous 2 years, the court docket has delayed my hearings as they search proof to convict on my now 12 federal fees. Lately, I fired my public defender and hope to boost sufficient funds for my newly employed personal counsel. You’ll be able to help me right here.
If you’re unable to assist financially, I ask that you simply please pray for my household and all of the J6 political prisoners, defendants, and their households.
Hear extra of Joe’s story on this interview:
WATCH:
The tyrannical authorities has not let up on this man who served his nation and loves God and nation. As has been typical in J6 instances, acceptance of plea gives can be tantamount to mendacity, and subsequently sinful in nature. Rejecting these pleas leads to extra fees. It’s a no-win state of affairs. Joe is aware of his earthly freedom is quickly ending. He received’t again down. He considers this his Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo second.
Please take into account a monetary donation, in case you are ready, to ease a few of his anxiousness as he goes into the hearth, taking up the tyrannical authorities, head-on, within the battle of his lifetime.
** Click on right here to help Okay. Joseph Thomas’ authorized crew and dwelling bills.