MPD Captain Declines Post-Chalking 8 Inquiry

January 8, 2012 by Free Concord · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Copblock, Free Concord, Manchester, New Hampshire, Occupy NH, Police, Question, Update, Video

Yesterday while attending Occupy the Primary being held at Veterans Park in Manchester, I met MPD captain Robert Cunha. He had come to the park to discuss altering aspects of the occupation with participants in the protest. I had noticed when mailed my verdict following the trial held stemming from my Chalking 8 arrest that Capt. Cunha was CC’d a copy of the ruling. This indicates that he is likely the supervising officer in dealing with the cases that have stemmed from the chalking 8 incident. Following the arrests, it was the lower ranked sergeant Todd Boucher who spoke with press and was cited as the officer in charge during the incident. Sergeant John Patti was the officer who made or ordered six of the arrests. Joseph Mucci, also a sergeant, made 2 arrests and issued one citation that was later upgraded to a criminal charge.

Not surprisingly, Robert Cunha was not interested in discussing aspects of the case. That the potential still exists for legal action to be taken against Manchester PD for false arrest is likely what drives the silence. See my interaction with Cpt. Cunha embedded below:

On Monday, January 9, Ademo Freeman and Wesley Gilwreath will be sentenced following their convictions on chalking-related criminal mischief charges which were ruled upon December 27. Activists have planned to chalk in solidarity outside of the court prior to the sentencing hearing.

Santorum asked: Have you googled yourself?

January 6, 2012 by Ian · 8 Comments
Filed under: Laugh at the Aggressors, National, Politics, Question, Shire Choir, Video

At a campaign stop in Keene, NH – Rick Santorum is asked if he’s ever googled himself. He’s also serenaded by the Shire Choir. Stay tuned to FreeKeene.com for a longer video showing more of what happened at the campaign event when the Shire Choir sang during his speech.

Oxford-Style Debate Challenge to Colonel Creig W. Doyle of Plymouth State University Police

December 15, 2011 by Brad · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Court, Issues, New Hampshire, News, Personal Freedom, Police, Politics, Question

As the entire nation is now aware, Tommy Mozingo and I are presently litigating the illegal restrictions on self-defense that the University System of New Hampshire has enacted on students, parents, alumni, and public members. In the Grafton County Superior Court on 12/13/11 USNH argued that it has authority to enact “policies” that are not “regulations” and therefore they are exempt from the State of New Hampshire’s firearm preemption law and perhaps even the New Hampshire Constitution.

I vehemently disagree… and so do members of the New Hampshire General Court.

Under Plymouth State University “policy” there is one man who can allow non-criminals to possess firearms for self-defensive purposes, and that man is Colonel Creig W. Doyle, PSU’s Police Chief. I hereby publicly challenge Colonel Doyle to an Oxford-style debate on the following motion: “Firearms and knives should be allowed on campus for self-defensive purposes.”

I propose using the Intelligence² US Debates modified Oxford rules format and that Colonel Doyle and I both choose two additional people to join our team in debating the motion.

This is a public policy debate worth having… and I would encourage the Colonel to step up and publicly defend the position he enforces.

Oh… and don’t forget to read New Hampshire’s largest newspaper’s response to USNH/PSU’s massive overreaction to our self-defense rights protest.

Should (Peaceful) People Be Able to Carry Firearms on (Public University) Campuses?

December 11, 2011 by Brad · 13 Comments
Filed under: Living Free, National, New Hampshire, News, Outreach, Personal Freedom, Question

Asks the Union Leader in a poll.

I also added “public university” because the poll question says “college.” This is about public property owned by the taxpayers. Were this private property, we would never be having this debate. A private college has absolutely every right to set their own rules.

I added “peaceful” because that is what this is about. Remember: Criminals always will carry firearms. This is about whether or not YOU should have the right do defend yourselves from them.

Make your voice heard! Go vote here.

The poll is in the bottom right.

What To Do About Central Square

September 12, 2011 by Heika · 97 Comments
Filed under: Issues, Question

I attended the unofficial city gathering this evening at City Hall to listen to what people had to say about the use of Central Square. In a nutshell, what it came down to is people needing to be respectful of others and take responsibility for their actions. Yes, it’s a public area, but that only means to me that EVERYONE should feel comfortable being there. Many townspeople aren’t happy with the swearing, the aggressive acts (fighting, yelling, etc) they witness, people getting screamed at and even threatened for sitting on park benches and observing what is taking place at the park. I happen to also not be happy with my community treating others in this way.

The atmosphere has changed drastically in the past year. Last summer I loved hanging out there and I felt that despite some civil disobedience (I even proudly partook in much of it), it was non-threatening and peaceful. Now, I don’t enjoy being there or even walking through the park. And I certainly don’t walk through it at night if I’m alone. This isn’t ok with me.

Unfortunately at the meeting it seemed that the room became divided: they weren’t members of the community so much as ‘freestaters’ and ‘juggalos’ and angry townspeople and business owners. So, instead of blaming a ‘group’ or ‘gang’ or ‘those people,’ what can we, as an entire community, do to make this popular hangout spot an area for people of all ages?

Some ideas I have heard through the grapevine to make the park more comfortable for all were curfews and surveillance cameras. I personally don’t like either of these options. On October 26th there will be an official City Council meeting to talk about what to do, and if anyone has some positive/constructive ideas I sincerely hope that you will take a few minutes to attend this meeting, or even submit a letter to City Council.

Ian’s Blog from Jail #4

September 4, 2011 by Mike Barskey · 27 Comments
Filed under: Civil Disobedience, Jailed Activist, Noncooperation, Outreach, Question

Ian Freeman

[We were unable to transcribe this letter due to injury, so thanks go to volunteer Anthony Richard for transcribing this letter from Ian. We have not checked the transcription, so we are still attaching to this post Ian's letter scanned in a PDF format.]

My most asked question – “Was it worth it?”

My answer – It depends on your perspective. What do you think?

Allow me to explain. The question feels like there should be some objective criteria by which one can determine the worth of civil disobedience. There is not. It’s completely subjective.

For instance, were you to look at this from a financial perspective, I took a big hit. It is costing me thousands to hire contractors to run my business in my absence. My phone bill alone will likely be in the hundreds with the collect calls I am making to the LRN.FM studio to be on-air occasionally and to assist Mark and the rest of our great crew with Technical Operations. Does it hurt to cut those big checks? Yes, of course. Could the money have been spent in better ways, perhaps on other activism? I don’t know. How could I quantify what the extra publicity that Free Talk Live and Free Keene may be receiving is worth? How many people have decided to move to NH or have moved up their plans because of this incident? No way to tell. Even if there was some way to know, what value could be put on each? Incalculable. Therefore, while it is tempting to judge the “worth” of this incident by a financial perspective, doing so is folly. Besides, I came here to do activism. Activism takes time and costs money. I knew that going in.

So, “Was it worth it?”

Another perspective to consider is that of the listener of my radio program, Free Talk Live. The show is my creation and I have been with it from day one without any real vacation for almost nine years. I have my fans and my critics and while I appreciate someone who says, “we need you behind the microphone.” I would encourage them to remember why It’s not called “The Ian and Mark Show”, FTL is a open phones panel discussion with a pro-liberty viewpoint. It has multiple hosts because of a few reasons:

1. I created the show I wanted to listen to, and I prefer not to listen to myself monolog.

2. Multiple hosts bring multiple perspectives to the table and can check each other’s egos.

3. I wanted the show to continue in my absence. It sure would be a waste to put years into building a major communications tool for the liberty movement and then have it wiped out because I got hit by a bus or targeted by aggressors. Considering I am an activist AND talk host, the latter was only a matter of time.

Therefore, the show goes on, with or without me. While I would certainly prefer to be on-air, it would be inappropriate for me to decide the”worth” of this incident from that perspective. No doubt my critics would answer the question with a resounding, “Yes!” I’m glad I could finally make them happy. They will be pleased to discover I still face a trial for last year’s “drinking game”, wherein I may be locked up for 18 more months.

So, “Was it worth it?”

The only valid way for me to answer this is based on how I feel.

I did what I felt was right. I stood in front of that police car as they were kidnapping my peaceful friend, Heika.

I had determined in advance that I was going to take this action after being inspired by David Krouse’s actions during the 2010 420 in Nashua. When one chooses the road of disobedience one should expect to be caged. To believe otherwise is delusional.

I wish the sentence were shorter, but it could have been longer. One must expect the worst. I knew I might get a harsh sentence, as whether I like it or not, the government guys think I am the leader. “Judge” John P.Arnold even called me the spokesman. I hope my time in a cage shows them that the activism continues without me.

See blog post #2 for a detailed description of my conditions here at the Keene Spiritual Retreat a.k.a. “Cheshire House of Corrections”. Being caged could be a LOT worse. Just look to Maricopa County, AZ to see how. Iam making the best of my time here.

I talk on-air and blog about civil disobedience and non cooperation. I advocate it. If I were to advocate it and not perform it, I’d be a hypocrite. Why would anyone want to listen to a hypocrite? If I were to advocate, as Gandhi did, to be the change you wish to see, then stand by and expect others to be that change for me, I’d be a user.

I followed my inner light. I fulfilled my promise to myself. I set an example in the hope of encouraging others. I am the change I wish to see.Had I chosen otherwise, I’d not have been able to live with myself.

I chose to stand for liberty, peace, and love. My awesome liberty family supports me.

OF COURSE it was worth it!!

Ian’s Blog form Jail #4.pdf

Ian’s Blog from Jail #3

September 3, 2011 by Mike Barskey · 58 Comments
Filed under: Civil Disobedience, Jailed Activist, Noncooperation, Outreach, Question

[Mail to Jail was unable to transcribe this letter due to injury, so thanks go to volunteers Anthony Richard and one other person for transcribing this letter from Ian. We have not checked the transcription, so we are still attaching to this post Ian's letter scanned in a PDF format.]

“Reflections on Civil Disobedience”

One night, later in the week at Porcfest this year I was walking around
and stopped at a campfire. A couple of the faces I had recognized as
people I had met earlier in the week – the rest I did not know. I believe
100% of them were attending their first Porcfest.

Apparently, I was right on cue, as when I approached the fire, some
comment was made about how if Ian Freeman were around, they could ask me.
The individual looked up, saw that the universe had delivered me to their
campfire, exclaimed a pleasant surprise and proceeded to ask: “Why Keene?”
Just prior to my arrival they had been discussing this, perhaps curious as
to why I had not chosen to move to Manchester and also under the
misconception that it was I who started the move to Keene. It’s an
understandable misconception, especially to people who may not have paid
attention to the Free State Project prior to the last year or two. Read more

Tweak the Law, Protect Rights

May 19, 2011 by Brad · 4 Comments
Filed under: Police, Politics, Question

Unfortunate as it may be, police rely heavily on the general public being unaware of their Constitutional rights. A majority of people who become charged with victimless crimes such as drug possession become ensnared in the criminal justice system due to not being informed of their ability to stand up to law enforcement’s attempts to have them waive their rights. As a police officer, I did it countless times. I was even trained how to do it by the police academy.

“I’m going to have to ask you to allow me to look in your vehicle.” Did I ask or order you to do something? I asked, in an ordering sort of way.

I’ve become a real skeptic of “consent” searches for the simple reason that in order to be lawful they must be given freely and voluntary. Three officers surrounding a sixteen year old new driver and repeatedly asking them to allow a search is hardly free or voluntary when the young driver is scared s-less. Of course the exact level of hounding which is sometimes required to obtain “consent” never appears in the police report.

Reports are always written in the way that gives an impression that the police simply asked and received a waiver of rights. In practice, it doesn’t always happen that way.

I think this judge said it best:

U.S. v. Minker, 350 US 179, at page 187 “Because of what appears to be a lawful command on the surface, many citizens, because of their respect for what only appears to be a law, are cunningly coerced into waiving their rights, due to ignorance.”

I have a solution.

Tweak the Law, Save Lives

May 18, 2011 by Brad · 7 Comments
Filed under: Politics, Question

Most of you who read the things I write know that my pet issue is drug prohibition. I opposed prohibition and subjected myself to pretty intense ridicule when I was a police officer not because I think people should be using dangerous drugs… but because people do use dangerous drugs and prohibition has proven to be an abject failure in stopping it.

One idea that has been bouncing around in my head for some time is getting involved in the political process to try and advocate for both a law which would encourage minors who have used alcohol irresponsibly and all people who have used dangerous drugs to seek medical attention if needed. A person having an overdose of alcohol or drugs presently could be (and should be) afraid to call for medical assistance, as when the EMT’s arrive, so does the criminal justice system.

Overdose deaths do not happen instantly… especially in the case of opiates. They can and should be prevented.

I know a good way. Let’s try and turn New Hampshire into the 3rd state in the nation which grants limited criminal immunity to people requesting medical assistance for alcohol and drug overdoses. I whipped up a sample law to do such a thing and I am in the process of speaking with medical organizations, legislators, and activists to see if I can get support for it.

Prank, Zero Damage, 3 1/2 – 7 Years in State Prison

May 3, 2011 by Brad · 8 Comments
Filed under: Issues, News, Police, Question

The Union Leader has an article today about how four young adults let the air out of twenty-seven school buses, not causing damage to any property, but resulting in the cancellation of school for an entire school district. They’re all facing felony charges which could result in 3 1/2 to 7 years in state prison, a lifetime firearm possession ban, voting restrictions in 12-18 states, diminished job opportunities, and a general stigma of being a “felon.”

What do you think about this?

My personal opinion matches the first comment on the article: