I wrote this hopefully persuasive essay for the printed newsletter published by FIJA. I’ve missed the deadline for the Summer issue, but it should appear later this year. I had been reading their letters to the editor and been amazed that no one was writing about much else besides just giving Fully Informed Jury Association information to their friends, family, and co-workers. This is good, but not particularly effective. I hope that explaining what we do here in Keene will encourage others around the country to duplicate our efforts, or better yet come to NH and get active here.
I’m publishing this article here on the blog in the hopes that it will encourage similar activism other parts of New Hampshire, where honestly, there is no excuse for activists to not be doing this incredibly simple and effective activism. We’ve been challenging the activists in other areas to take this up for months now, and they haven’t. Which of course just makes Keene a more attractive destination in comparison.
Thanks to Chris Muskus for being the driving force behind this amazingly successful FIJA outreach, as it enters it’s second year this August.
In the last year, my fellow activists and I have distributed hundreds of Fully Informed Jury Association pamphlets into the hands of potential jurors as they arrive at the courthouse for jury selection. Month after month, we gather on the first Monday in front of the Cheshire superior court in Keene, New Hampshire and offer FIJA information to every single person walking into the courthouse. We arrive at 8am when the doors open and stay until about 8:45am, fifteen minutes after the potential jurors are supposed to be there, just to make sure we reach all the late arrivals. About 80-90% of the people we approach will take the flier. Usually I’ll smile and say something like, “Good morning, would you like some free information on your rights as a juror?”, and hold out a trifold. That’s all it takes!
I think it’s great that people are giving FIJA info to their friends, family, and co-workers. Reading the letters to the editor of this newsletter reveals to me that is happening a lot. I find myself wondering however, is Keene, NH the only place in the country where FIJA outreach is targeting potential jurors as they walk in the court for jury selection? I certainly hope we aren’t the first doing this form of FIJA outreach consistently, but in case we are, I wanted to share it with you as something you may want to consider duplicating in your area. Approaching potential jurors outside the courthouse is the most effective form of FIJA outreach, in my opinion. Here’s why:
1. Potential jurors are the best prospects for this message. They are about to go into the selection process and are more likely to be interested in matters regarding their rights as a juror at this time moreso than any other point in their life.
2. Jury selection usually involves a whole lot of waiting. People who have been before know this, but first-timers may not. They will really appreciate having something to read (the FIJA pamphlet) when they sit down in the waiting area.
3. Done consistently, you can reach every potential juror with FIJA information. That’s effective!Yes, this does take a little time and preparation, but not much. The only costs are what you’ll spend either printing the fliers yourself using the .PDF files on FIJA.org, or ordering them from FIJA. (We print our own with our FreeKeene.com blog url printed in the area on the back.) Otherwise, you’re just spending a little bit of time. More populated areas probably choose juries more often than once a month, so go as often as you can. I also recommend you go with other activists. Don’t do this alone, or you risk police harassment. The more of you there are, the more likely you’ll be left alone. We find that four is the ideal number, with two being the bare minimum. We position two activists on each direction people can approach from, so we don’t miss anybody. If your courthouse has more than one entrance, you may need more people. In case the police or court bailiffs decide to harass you, make sure to have recording devices handy. Let them know they are being recorded as soon as they approach. Do not heed their demands to stop. If they are on the job and in public, they should be on the record. Assure them you are engaging in free speech and that you will not block entrances. Don’t be rude, but also don’t be meek and obedient. Practice asking questions of the officers rather than answering theirs. He who asks the questions controls the conversation. In our case, the first month we did this, two sheriffs came up and asked what we were doing, then went away and we never saw them again, but we had more than four volunteers right from day one. It helps if you outnumber them.
In most places in the country, it’s finding someone to help you that will be the biggest difficulty. When I used to do liberty activism down in Sarasota, FL, it was like pulling teeth getting people to volunteer to do things like this FIJA outreach. Up here in New Hampshire, we have more than enough volunteers show up every single month. Why? The Free State Project is the difference. In case you weren’t aware, thousands of people have pledged to move to NH and get active for liberty. That means everything from doing FIJA, to politics, civil disobedience, and creating our own media. It’s all happening and it’s happening now, since hundreds of people have already made the move and more are coming every week! So, if you’re frustrated by the lack of liberty activism in your area and really want a chance at liberty in your lifetime, you owe it to yourself to look into the Free State Project at FreeStateProject.org
I’m having the time of my life! The liberty activists moving here as part of the Free State Project are the nicest people and the best activists I’ve ever seen. To get a look at some of the other things happening our little corner of NH, visit our blog at FreeKeene.com and to get a wider perspective, the FSP features blogs from around the state on the front page of FreeStateProject.org
With that, I encourage you to get out in front of the courthouse while potential jurors are arriving for selection and get them much-needed FIJA info!
