I was eating dinner with my boyfriend in our kitchen watching a Facebook live stream debate about guns on campus at the University of Texas when suddenly the video stopped. A pop up said something like, “Session expired.”
Someone reported a photo of me my friends at the beach as nudity, and Facebook responded by restricting my ability to communicate with you on their platform in two ways. I can not post on my wall or respond to messages using Messenger for the next 3 days.
I feel sad that I can’t use Facebook. It is the primary way I communicate with the world. Especially the Messenger app. An acquaintance I met at a conference asked me a question, and I am not able to respond. I am not even able to explain why I can’t respond. That is embarrassing and frustrating. I want to maintain a good reputation with this new friend, but I can’t respond to him, and he doesn’t know that I can’t. Fortunately I have been using Signal, Telegram, and other messaging apps, so I am still largely able to communicate. (more…)
Keene Cop Block invited Ian Freeman, a six -year inhabitant of Keene, NH, to share a bit about the ongoing harassment he’s faced from so-claimed “authorities” for his efforts to simply live free from their supposed “legitimate” coercion.
In this video Freeman, host of the nationally syndicated Free Talk Live and blogger at FreeKeene.com and ShireSociety.com, among much else, touches on the latest iteration of threat levied at him before speaking candidly about his motivations and the real impact had as the peaceful community emerges.
Instead of cowering, Freeman, knowing full-well that he’s not harmed anyone, has opted for transparency. His actions have undoubtedly embolden others – both in and outside of the ‘shire – to see the gun in the room, and speak out as well.
On December 13, 2012 I had a trial in Newport District Court for expired vehicle registration. Specifically, I was charged with violating RSA 261:40. For those who aren’t familiar, Newport is a much smaller town than Keene. Normally in Keene, as well as Manchester, Concord and I would guess most other District Courts throughout New Hampshire, there are many people scheduled for trial at the same date and time. This was not the case in Newport. Aside from myself and seven others from Keene, the only people in the court were Trooper Hickox (who was prosecuting his own case), one bailiff, a court clerk and the judge.
Before the trial began, the judge issued an edict that only one camera would be allowed to operate during the trial, despite the fact that three individuals filed notices to record. He immediately took a brief recess so that the camera situation could be straightened out and stated that if a decision wasn’t reached on which camera was to be the camera to record the trial, that NO cameras would be allowed. (more…)
Seven Keene activists accompanied Darryl W. Perry to Newport District Court for an 8:30 AM trial on the charge of failure to register his vehicle, RSA 261:40. Darryl was issued a summons on May 16, 2012 after being pulled over on South Main Street in Newport, NH by State Trooper Jason W. Hickox.
Hickox acted as prosecutor and sole witness for the “State of NH.” He testified that his reason for running Darryl’s plates was that they were Texas plates that looked “unusual.” He claimed that when he asked Darryl for license and registration, Darryl provided a ‘driver’s license’ as well as proof of ‘registration’ from Texas, which he alleges was expired. Hickox stated that Darryl was not violating the speed limit, driving unsafely, or driving in any manner hazardous to other drivers.
Hickox testified that Darryl agreed to abide by the man-made legislation supposedly valid in this particular region of land simply by driving within the boundaries commonly known as New Hampshire.
Darryl mentioned article 3 of the NH Constitution and referred to the surrender of certain natural rights in return for protection. He noted that police officers are not duty-bound to protect and without protection, the surrender of rights is void.
Darryl also cited article 10, the right of revolution, and stated that he never agreed to nor signed anything to fall under the arbitrary jurisdiction. He claimed to be part of the Shire Society and cited the fourth precept, stating,
FOURTH, explicit voluntary association is the only means by which binding obligations may be created, and claims based on association or relationships to which any party did not consent are empty and invalid;
Jason W. Hickox was unable to provide any physical evidence proving Darryl was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the claims against him.
After the prosecutor finished testifying as the only witness, Judge Cardello denied Darryl’s motions to dismiss and to receive exemption. The judge deemed Darryl “guilty” of the alleged “crime” of failing to pay ‘the state’ for permission to own and operate his own property and said Darryl must pay a $100 fine and a penalty assessment fee of 24%, or $24.
Darryl’s request to donate $124 to charity in lieu of the fine was denied, but request for community service was granted; Darryl will complete 12.5 hours of community service.
The raw video of the Civil Disobedience Panel – a session held at the 2012 Liberty Forum, in which Jason Talley, Ian Freeman and I converse with those present about ideas, strategy and impact.