Protesting Brothers Return To Site Of Arrest

YUBA (CBS13) - Decked out with the same "Taxes Equal Theft" sign, the same masks, and at the same overpass of their arrest last year off Highway 70, the Bartholomew brothers are back at it again after months of silence.

"We got squelched essentially for a year," said Benjamin.

Avid activists, Russell and Benjamin started their protests against taxes last January, documenting every event. However, their cell phones recorded one that ended with them in jail.

Yuba County Sheriff's Deputies arrested them after the brothers refused to give their names and show IDs, and then slapped additional charges of attaching a sign to state property and wearing masks to escape recognition.

"So both of those charges got dropped and because they had nothing else they decided to charge us with delaying an officer," said Russell. "Because we refused to answer him the one time he asked.

Even though the brothers were sentenced just last week they're wasting no time.

"I have my ID in my pocket if they want to see it 30," said Benjamin.

And it's clear they've made some friends.

"I think it's pretty courageous," said supporter Larry Virga.

But everyone wondered what would happen Friday while CBS13 was interviewing Benjamin. A deputy drove right by and didn't stop. In fact, a handful of deputies passed the protestors. Russell and Benjamin stood out for two hours holding their sign and no one bothered them.

"It's nice to be back to what we were doing," said Benjamin. "Hopefully that will continue. Hopefully what happened a year ago won't happen again."