J6 political prisoner Taylor James Johnatakis is a father of 5 and the only real breadwinner for his household. He went to the Capital on January sixth “to get content for experiential storytelling, to see a major moment in history, win or lose.”
On November 21, Taylor was discovered responsible on seven prices, three of them felonies. He is awaiting sentencing.
Coping with the affect on her household and figuring out different households face related challenges, Taylor’s spouse Marie was impressed to begin a non-profit, Left Behind and Without, to offer the kids of incarcerated dad and mom with various extracurricular actions, one thing many of those kids are unable to expertise attributable to lack of monetary assets.
“Parental incarceration was something I had never experienced until it came to my home and my children. When my husband was incarcerated, our family faced a profound shift. Focused on saving money, we had to make difficult choices, and among the first sacrifices were the sports and music lessons our kids cherished. Considering the impact on them, already dealing with the absence of their father, I found myself tearfully discussing it with my mother. In that emotional moment, she offered a lifeline, assuring me not to worry. She pledged to cover the costs of the lessons and extracurricular activities our children loved.”
“This gesture was an immense relief. It meant our kids could continue participating in activities that brought them joy and valuable life lessons. Playing on teams, interacting with coaches, and setting and achieving goals contributes to all children’s growth and resilience.”
“We take pride in this organization, knowing it will provide similar support to families navigating challenges like ours.”
“Our mission is to facilitate access to diverse extracurricular programs for children affected by parental incarceration. By fostering participation in these activities, we aim to provide a supportive environment where children can discover their talents, build resilience, and benefit from positive interactions with coaches and mentors. Our goal is to empower these children, offering opportunities for growth and a pathway to a more promising future.”
Marie lately shared her thoughts concerning the affect confronted by households of J6 political prisoners.
The Pacific Northwest has been our dwelling for the final 15 years.
I spent a bit time on the seaside at this time, taking within the chilly breeze, with the heat of the solar hitting my physique. The ocean is such a peaceable place, and our house is located inside minutes of a few quiet seashores. These are locations I’m going and simply take on the planet because it spins.
It’s unhappy for me to consider Taylor not saying goodbye to our little nook of the earth, our little heaven.
Our small city of round 3,000 individuals is located throughout the Puget Sound from the busy metropolis of Seattle. The downtown is quaint, with its small outlets which can be open at weird hours, fascinating and distinctive locations to eat, stunning surroundings, a farmer’s marketplace for a part of the 12 months and a quiet and welcoming marina. Elise works at a bit French crepe store on the nook of the primary road that runs by way of downtown Kingston. For those who go any additional down the road you’ll find yourself on a ship, headed over to a a lot busier lifestyle, over to Seattle.
This time of 12 months the Cherry Blossom timber begin blooming. It’s in all probability my favourite time of the 12 months, particularly after a moist and darkish winter. The Tulip Pageant up within the Skagit Valley is a spot we go to every spring. Lavender, rhododendrons and blackberries develop abundantly in our neck of the woods. It’s actually an considerable, stunning space.
***Please help Taylor and his family here.****
We can be transferring quickly. That’s unhappy. This space has been good to us. It’s right here our 5 kids had been born. Right here that now we have related with group and associates, when each of our households had been so far-off. Right here we misplaced one in all our candy little infants, who was born too many months early. We had deliberate a household journey to cruise from Florida to a few of the islands within the Atlantic. Whereas on the boat I had a Placental Abruption, which brought on us to disembark, and I later gave delivery to our candy little Destin. He was born in stunning Puerto Rico. He lived for every week, however we had been by no means capable of deliver him dwelling. It was in Kingston the place Bensen fell from a window when he was three. After he fell, his eyes weren’t dilated and he was utterly acutely aware and gave the impression to be effective. It was a paramedic that had come to our dwelling, and felt uneasy concerning the peak of the autumn. He had a bit boy the identical age as Ben (and in addition named Ben). He stated that if it was him, he would fly his son to Seattle, to get him checked out. Ben was flown on a helicopter to Harborview and that day would obtain a life-saving mind surgical procedure. His advice saved Ben’s life. I see that paramedic round city, and am at all times grateful for what he represents to us. It was right here that now we have homeschooled our 5 youngsters. Elise enrolled locally school her final two years of highschool and can get her Associates Diploma quickly. She has beloved our group school. Right here my youngsters have performed on sports activities groups, had music classes, live shows. We’ve been concerned with homeschool teams which have turn out to be like household. I’ve taught highschool Historical past, Writing and Management lessons to lots of these youngsters. Taylor has coached sports activities groups and led scout troops. He has operated a couple of companies and finally discovered worth in digging dust and putting in septic programs.
It doesn’t appear proper to say goodbye to this place with out Taylor.
What adventures await us and the way lengthy now we have to attend to be reunited with him is unknown. A person got here to the jail to current some pre-sentencing papers to Taylor. There was a piece stating what number of dependents he has. In that part the probation division wrote 0. He inquired about that, figuring out he has 5 kids and a spouse. The person said that Taylor didn’t have any dependents, since he was in jail. I ponder if that’s how the court docket sees our household? I ponder in the event that they need to even acknowledge that we exist? Possibly it’s simpler for them that method. Who is aware of. It’s a cruel system and our youngsters miss their dad.
Sentencing is coming quickly and the prosecution is asking for 9+ years. 9+ years for Taylor. I ponder how that might be. They are saying he obstructed congress and that he assaulted an officer. Through the trial Taylor requested the 2 officers if he had “hurt, harmed, injured or threatened them in any way”. Each officers replied that he hadn’t. Taylor requested in the event that they accepted his honest and heartfelt apology for his position within the occasions that day. They accepted, one even saying, “it’s water under the bridge”.
It’s exhausting for me to think about him in jail. Taylor has by no means spanked our youngsters, he’s at all times been loving and supportive to me as a spouse and mom. He is an effective particular person.
That is actually exhausting.
No matter might come, we’re up for the journey…even when it’s a troublesome one!
***Please help Taylor and his family here.****
You may be taught extra about serving to the kids of prisoners at Left Behind and Without.
