Browsing the blog archives for May, 2014.

UPDATE: JZK, Inc. v. Glen Morgan & the Freedom Foundation

JZ Knight News, Press, Yelm and Thurston County Issues

At an initial hearing Tuesday, May 21, JZK, Inc. requested a temporary restraining order, essentially asking the judge to call a “time out” on the behavior of Evergreen Freedom Foundation (EFF). Judge Settle declined to do so this early in the proceedings.

“We were surprised at this ruling today [May 21, 2014], but pleased that Judge Settle warned the defendants that further dissemination would not be without risk,” said Mike Wright, Legal Affairs Manager for JZK, Inc. “While the judge was unwilling to grant this emergency request, he did allow an expedited track to a hearing on a preliminary injunction in a few weeks so he could study the matter in more detail,” Wright said.

Wright concluded, “The efforts by the Freedom Foundation to engage in partisan attacks and their attempts to disenfranchise voters while wrapping themselves in a flag is the antithesis what they claim to represent. Just last week, their managing editor wrote in his blog about Pope Francis ‘it is impossible to legitimately redistribute what belongs to someone else.’ Yet today, they claimed otherwise with JZK, Inc.’s proprietary property.”

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JZK, Inc. sues Freedom Foundation

JZ Knight News, Press, Yelm and Thurston County Issues

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

JZK, Inc. has filed a complaint, No. 3:14-cv-05410, and request for a temporary restraining order against the Evergreen Freedom Foundation (EFF) and Glen Morgan, EFF’s Property Rights Director, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma. JZK, Inc. did this to protect the proprietary video materials that Morgan and EFF have unlawfully disseminated. The case has been assigned to Judge Benjamin H. Settle with an initial hearing set for 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 21.

On May 6, 2014, Morgan submitted verbatim copies of JZK, Inc.’s proprietary video materials to the Thurston County Commissioners in violation of state and federal law. Morgan told the Commissioners that EFF was also disseminating the private videos to 3,200 other officials in the state.

Morgan and EFF have expressly refused to respect JZK, Inc. and JZ Knight’s private property and legally protected interests. This is a curious stance for an organization that purports to promote the protection of private property rights. Their website proclaims, “From works of art to loaves of bread, people produce the things because they are able to own and use resources. …The Freedom Foundation stands up for property rights and property owners in Washington State.”

JZK, Inc. welcomes the opportunity to resolve this matter short of litigation. But to do so, EFF and Mr. Morgan must be willing to respect JZK, Inc.’s private contracts and JZ Knight’s right to own and use her property as she sees fit.

The EFF website states, “Government exists to protect rights, including the rights to own and use property.” That government protection also extends to those with whom EFF disagrees.

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JZK, Inc. and David McCarthy settle lawsuit in New Zealand

JZ Knight News, Press, Yelm and Thurston County Issues

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

By mutual agreement, the parties filed a joint memorandum with the High Court of New Zealand in Auckland notifying the court of a settlement and asking the court to issue an order by consent of the parties. At the parties’ request, the trial set for May 26, 2014 has also been cancelled.

Under the agreed order, McCarthy is permanently restrained from disseminating proprietary video recordings of information and techniques taught at Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment (RSE) including the videos that were at issue in the case.

“We have never disputed David’s right to lawfully criticize,” said Mike Wright on behalf of RSE. “We recognize that not everyone agrees with our philosophical model or our training. It is not meant to be for everyone.”

McCarthy, who lived in the Yelm area for many years, has been an outspoken critic of RSE since 2004. JZK, Inc. only filed suit in February 2013 after McCarthy posted portions of several private videos on YouTube and elsewhere. The complaint for copyright and contract violations was filed in New Zealand where McCarthy now lives.

Wright concluded, “Dr. J. Gordon Melton, a preeminent world religious scholar, studied RSE for several years. After careful study and exhaustive research, Melton concluded that the teachings of RSE represented a resurgence of early Christian Gnosticism. In addition to coordinating the research of other scholars, he wrote a book about his experience and conclusions. Complimentary copies of his book, Finding Enlightenment, are available at the JZ Rose store in Yelm for anyone who wants to read an objective analysis of RSE.”

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Yelm newspaper heralds defense of JZ Knight

JZ Knight News, Press, Yelm and Thurston County Issues


NVN Editor/Publisher Michael Wagar
Photo credit: The Chronicle,
Centralia & Lewis County, WA

The Yelm-based weekly Nisqually Valley News (NVN)newspaper heralded the defense of JZ Knight from RSE students and the Thurston Democrats in their Friday, May 9th print and online edition:

– RSE Students Defend Knight, Ramtha
Click here

– “Students stand-up with letters to local newspaper supporting RSE”
Click here

– RSE student letters referenced in preceding story
Click here

– “Thurston Democrats Chair Calls JZ Knight ‘Democrat in Good Standing”
Click here

– Three terrific Letters to the Editor:
* “Why Not Start Working Together as a Community?”
By Lucy Jeanne
Read more

– “JZ Knight an Asset To The Nisqually Valley”
“JZ Knight has been an asset to this community, donating large amounts of money to our EMS system. We all benefit from better fire and medical attention.”
By Deb Voyles
Click here

– “Eventually Justice Will Be Served Against Vigilantes”
By JZ Knight
Click here

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JZ Knight: the legacy of Billy Frank, Jr.

JZ Knight News, Yelm and Thurston County Issues

Picture on easel of Gov. Dan Evans for whom the award is named, Billy Frank, Jr., Congressman Norm Dicks and Nisqually River Foundation Chair David Troutt,
October 24, 2012, co-sponsored by JZ Knight.
Photo credit: Mary Hasken Photography

On the sudden passing of Nisqually Tribe fishing activist Billy Frank, Jr.:
Billy Frank, Jr., leaves a lasting legacy for the Nisqually people and all of those living in the Nisqually River’s watershed. His commitment to tribal fishing rights and the protection of our natural resources will forever be preserved for future generations in the restoration of the salmon habitat.

We grieve with all of our friends and neighbors of the Nisqually Tribe. Billy’s dedicated advocacy for our region will always be in our hearts. Upon hearing of his passing at the Ramtha School of Enlightenment South Korea event, JZ Knight said, “He was a dear man to me.”

He is remembered and greatly loved.

JZ Knight
and Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment Staff & Students
Yelm, WA

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