The Permibus Is Free!

The Permibus is officially free and in our possession. Tomorrow we will have time to write up a real update. For now, thank you for all of your love and support.

With Love,
-The Permibus Family

The Permibus Is Almost Free!

Today, Wednesday, September 3, the city of Minneapolis has bowed to worldwide pressure and has dropped all violations and charges against the Permibus!

After a long day of negotiations and phone calls between the mayor’s offices, the city attorney, National Lawyers Guild attorneys, and reporters from the Minneapolis Star – Tribune, the city told us we could have the Permibus back. For those of you who have not been able to keep up with the swirl of activity surrounding the Permibus since its unlawful seizure last Saturday, here is a brief update. After the Permibus was taken we were told that it had been inspected (illegally) and found to have 23 separate violations. Just this morning we were finally given a copy of the violations. Most of them pertained to bus only as a commercial vehicle. It of course is licensed in Montana not as a commercial vehicle but as a private car. Thanks to the insistent demands put to the city by all of our wonderful supporters who have responded to this crisis, the city was forced to drastically re-evaluate its position on the matter. Initially we had been told that we could have the Permibus back without any fines or storage fees but could not drive it in the state of Minnesota or we would be stopped and they would once again seize our home. We were allowed to remove some of our belongings from the Permibus but, sadly, we were not realistically allowed to reclaim the Permibus from the Minneapolis Impound Lot. Thanks to yall, the calls kept pouring into the city demanding the Permibus’ release. This afternoon the city decided this had all been “a misunderstanding” and that we could have the Permibus back. Because of two minor mechanical issues that concern the city for their insurance purposes we cannot be allowed to drive the Permibus out of the impound lot. We can tow it out however, under no duress and incurring no fines, fees or expenses (we have AAA RV+ to cover the towing). Once the Permibus is out of the impound lot we may drive it at our leisure in the state of Minnesota. We have also been deemed mature enough to fix the minor mechanical problems on our own time without fear of harassment. Tomorrow we plan to go get the Permibus and bring her home at last!

Of course, I only partially believe what the officials say since lying and civil rights violations has thus far been common practice in their dealings with us. Despite that we will hold them to their word by staying vigilant in the defense of our civil liberties. We must make sure that they know the whole world is watching and we are ready to take action at the slightest sign of foul play. We will continue to keep you, our web of supporters abreast of what is happening at every turn. Should the city of Minneapolis renege on its agreements or should the city of St. Paul decide they need to attempt to use their tactics of intimidation against the Permibus and the Permibus Family, we are confident that our communities will once again rise to the cause and take action.

We of the Permibus Family want to thank you for all of your care, concern, and action on our behalf. You have given us so much strength to carry on this fight. I feel rejuvenated and will return to teaching sustainable living with a new vigor and spirit. If the powers that would silence dissent fear anything more than our gaining self sufficiency it is obviously the intense scrutiny of and outraged citizenry. Keep it up. Don’t forget to tend your garden as well. Thank you again. The problem is the solution and because with you we can continue to cultivate revolutionary ways of living!

-The Permibus Family

To hear an interview from KCSB with Delyla Wilson of the Permibus Click Here.

To everyone out there who has read about the Permibus' incarceration, held us in your hearts and offered your support we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

In response to the pressure put on Precinct One they have sort of agreed to release the Permibus back into our care and are allowing us to retrieve our personal effects. Further we would be charged no impound fees. Good job everybody!



We are not out of the woods yet however. Initially we were told by Deputy Chief Valerie Worster that we could pick up the bus and drive it off of the lot if we immediately left the state of Minnesota as they had sited it for 23 violations. However if we stayed in the area and got pulled over again (sounding more like a threat than anything)the bus would once again be impounded. Shortly after that the story changed and we were told that the only way that the bus could leave the impound lot is if it was towed off due to the violations. We currently know they are trying to declare the bus a commercial vehicle though the State of Montana does not. The bus is legally registered in the state of Montana as a passenger vehicle.If they accomplish that then we must get a in order to drive the bus and meet all regulations as if we were truckers. Under the standard explained to us this would mean that if people used there personal vehicle to take goods to a farmers market they would be declared a commercial vehicle, requiring them to meet the same standard as truckers. This is clearly ridiculous.



What we request from all of you is that you redirect your efforts toward Governor Pawlenty, who as a republican should support states rights and freedom of movement, Minneapolis Mayor Rybak whose officers are responsible for these atrocities, and the Minneapolis Chief of Police who is responsible for illegally entering and inspecting the bus in order to trump up violations against the bus. The Permibus was illegally pulled over and seized by the Minneapolis Police Department and these threats against us are equally unlawful. The Permibus is scheduled for a teaching engagement at the Peace Island Picnic on September 4th and we would like to visit family in the area. More importantly we feel that the state has know right to run people out of town like sheriffs in the old west.



Tim Pawlenty

Governor of Minnesota

651-296-3391

tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us



Minneapolis Mayor Rybek

(612) 673-2100 or

call 311 or

call (612) 673-3000 outside Minneapolis



Timothy Dolan

Chief of Police

350 South 5th Street

Room 130

Minneapolis, MN 55415-1389

(612) 673-3787

Fax: (612) 673-2613

E-mail: police@ci.minneapolis.mn.us





For those of you who have contacted us about fiscal donations we finally have something useful to tell you. If you would like to donate on-line please visit our website Permibus.tripod.com where there is a recently added Paypal button at the bottom of the 'Permibus Seizure' page. A kind community member Andrew Paik is allowing us to filter donations through his account.



Also the link on the Earth Activist Training Site is working.Go to: www.earthactivisttraining.org/donate.html Click on: Donate Now! Under "Gift Information" write: Permibus. Under "Please send acknowledgment of this gift to" write: skillstour@gmail.com



For checks they can still be sent to the Alliance for Community Trainers. Make the check to: A.C.T. and send to A.C.T. 1405 Hillmount St. Austin, TX 78704 with "permibus" in the

memo location.



If you would like to send a check on either the 2nd or 3rd of Sept (today or tomorrow) you can do so by making it out to Stan Wilson and sending it to The Permibus Family at c/o Nanette Echolls, 1256 James Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105



Thank You so much for your support!



-The Permibus Family

The Permibus Update on GodlikeProductions.com

To see a picture of the Permibus sent by the Bread and Roses Collective in Syracuse, NY click here.

To visit another website posting about the Permibus Click here.

This afternoon Megan Wilson of the Permibus was interviewed for a radio news cast about the Permibus Seizure. The interview will be aired on Wednesday evening (9/3), at 6pm Pacific Time. Below is a link too stream the interview to your home computer. Remember to adjust for time changes!
Many Thanks,
-The Permibus Family

To hear a radio interview with Megan Wilson, a member of the Permibus click here 9/3 at 6pm Pacific Time.

Words of love and support have been pouring in. We are very grateful for the kindness we are being shown during this difficult time. I have been given contact information for all of the Minnesota Congresspeople. I am posting a link to that info below in case anyone wants to drop them a line.

There is no new news on the status of the Permibus tho the Permibus Family is getting along as well as can be expected. We are trying to reach out to the Media and we are working with lawyers. Media and legal contacts are always appreciated. Please scroll to the bottom of the page if you are interested in supporting the Permibus.

Thank you all so much!
-The Permibus Family

Click Here to view a list of Minnesota Congresspeople along with their phone numbers and web contact information.

To see a cell phone video of the Permibus pulled over please click here.

Click here to read an article on the Permibus Seizure from "The Campaign Silo".

We, The Permibus Family, Stan, Delyla and Megan Wilson, along with our 3 dogs and 3 chickens, are grateful to be hosted at a local residents home.
As you can imagine the last 24 hours has been stressful on all involved, people, dogs and birds.
At this time we are attempting contact with the press as well as pursuing legal assistance with the return of our home.
So far we have been receiving lots of kind words from members of our communities. We greatly appreciate all of the support you are giving us.
There have been no changes on the Permibus' status since last night.

If you are interested in seeing pictures of the Permibus Seizure please click the link below. Stay tuned for more updates in the future, any developments with be posted here.
Thank you all very much!
-The Permibus Family

Pictures of the Permibus Seizure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POLICE SEIZE PERMIBUS

Sat. 8/30 3:28am



At approximately 6:25 pm on August 30, 2008 Minneapolis Police, Minnesota State Troopers, Ramsey County Sheriffs, Saint Paul Police, and University of Minnesota Police pulled over the Earth Activist Training Permaculture Demonstration Bus (Permibus) by exit 237 on Interstate 94. Initially the police told the people on the bus to exit. When the people on the bus asked if they were being detained they were told that they were but police were unable to provide justification. When asked why they pulled the bus over they refused to answer. After repeated requests to explain why the bus had been stopped Officer Honican of the Minneapolis Police explained that this was just a routine traffic stop though he did not explain the reason for the traffic stop. The police then told Stan Wilson, the driver and registered owner of the Permibus, that they were going to impound the bus in case they wanted to execute a search warrant later. After more than an hour of being questioned by Stan and Delyla Wilson as to the legalities of their detainment and the impoundment of the Permibus, the police then informed Stan that the bus, which is legally registered as a passenger vehicle in the state of Montana, was being impounded for a commercial vehicle inspection. Shortly afterward Sergeant Paul Davis, a commercial vehicle inspector arrived on scene. Despite the polices insistence that the reason for impoundment was for a commercial vehicle inspection the Permibus crew were not allowed to remove anything from the bus including computers, toiletries, and 17-year-old Megan Wilson's shoes. The police finally allowed the animals to be removed from the Permibus before it was towed, leaving the Permibus family standing beside their chickens and dogs, homeless on the highway.



The Permibus was relocating from the Bedlam Theatre in Minneapolis, where they had spent the day teaching Urban Permaculture, to a friend's house in Saint Paul for a well deserved break before appearing at the Peace Island Picnic on September 4th. The Permibus has been in the Minneapolis area since August 2nd when the crew appeared at the Midtown Farmers Market for a morning of Permaculture education including Permaculture 101, chicken care, seed ball making for kids, and the Permi-puppet show. During the past month the Permibus has parked at several local businesses and, as a neighborly gesture of respect for local police, Mr. Wilson contacted the appropriate precincts just to let them know the Permibus was in the area and had permission from the business owners to be parked on their lot. Through this, as well as other casual discussions with Minneapolis and Saint Paul police officers, the Permibus crew found the local police to be interested and respectful. However on August 30th all that changed when, for no apparent valid reason the police pulled over and seized the Permibus. After the incident Stan Wilson said, "If the combined law enforcement of Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, and the State of Minnesota can pull over and impound a vehicle and home used to teach organic gardening and sustainability, one has to wonder what it is our government really fears. After all, we seek to teach people that the real meaning of homeland security is local food, fuel and energy production. For that we have had our lives stolen by government men with guns."



As of now, after repeated requests to be present at any vehicle inspection, with an list of what they are inspecting for, as well as requests to be served any warrants for searches of the vehicles prior to a search and to be present during the search the Permi-family has been unable to ascertain the current status of the Permibus. On site Mr. Wilson was told that Officer Palmerranky was the inspector in charge of the case and would determine if the Permi-family's rights protecting them from unreasonable search and seizure would be respected. Neither Officer Palmerranky nor his supervisor has yet to return Mr. Wilson's calls. The loss of her home and possessions is particularly difficult on seventeen-year-old Megan Wilson. Megan, a shining example of what this country asks of today's youth, has dedicated herself to making positive changes in the world. She was the youth keynote speaker at the Local to Global conference in Phoenix AZ, has taught conflict resolution at youth shelters and is the outreach coordinator for the Skills for a New Millennium Tour, the family traveling educational project. Megan believes that, "While I understand that the world we live in is not as it should be I strive to live and teach in a way that shows the world how life could be. What I don't understand is why I can't get dressed for an evening out with friends in my own home without armed men stealing my life out from under m" The Permi-family, along with their dogs and Permaculture super-hero chickens are currently being housed by folks in the Twin Cities.