About two dozen liberty activists’ peaceful candlelight vigil for Kurt Hoffman in front of Eli Rivera’s home (KPD’s prosecutor) resulted in a confrontation by KPD officers on duty, followed by Eli himself. Here’s some grainy blackberry footage:
Activists later brought the vigil to Edward Burke’s home (the robed man) – four cops responded there and were offered free pizza. The officers refused, and went away. Look for more video soon from the Obscured Truth Network.
"The police… feel our presence is intimidating…" — I've never heard that one before! Priceless!
Is this what it feels like when the government is fearing the people?
I think that many members of the KPD deserve a lot of credit for engaging in reasoned discussion, as I see in this video. Obviously I would have fundamental disagreements with any police department in the country as they are today. The KPD, though, based on what I have seen, is a pretty darn good one compared to others. I get the impression that many of these people genuinely can think as individuals, and are capable of exercising discretion, and obeying their consciences — they are not doomed to be automata following orders. Basically, I want to recognize that the… Read more »
Offered pizza! God I love you guys.
Bring it to them as individuals. Beautiful.
I don't think these crowd sessions with the police are productive. Lots of people shouting questions and answers lets them pick and choose what they actually respond to. It's just a big cluster fuck. I don't think it's that useful for reaching video viewers either. Ultimately, all you get out of them are the usual tired talking points. You're talking to people very entrenched in their positions, with a bias toward protecting bad laws that target innocent people. They're jobs depend on those millions of words of laws on the books that most people barely have an inkling of. They're… Read more »
It underscores the need for law enforcement types to understand the nature of law and how it has been perverted into the violator of rights that it is today. Unless this point is being made clear, they will not get it. As I posted here last night, Fredric Bastiat's 'The Law' is a great way to show this to people. The ideas within are explained very clearly and logically. Maybe this won't convert them either but it's another nail in the coffin of state legitimacy and there's no reason not to drive it home.
You guys are fucking nuts. I'm just trying to think of all the different legal weapons the judicial system has to destroy anyone who messes with court officials outside of the official process. The police were hinting at some bringing some of that pain in the vid, and you can bet they'll have it figured out next time: Obstruction of justice is the obvious catch all, but they could also try witness intimidation or something like that. I'm not saying I'm not sympathetic, I'm just saying, why do you think protesting against politicians is permitted? Because the judicial system says… Read more »
If the law permits any group of men to commit an act that would be illegal if one man did it, then the law is wrong and those enforcing it are tyrants. Do you suggest that liberty minded people or any other people for that matter should sit idly by and allow this, because somehow 'court officials' are sacred and not to be messed with?
Look beyond fear and find the truth, Spam Man
Instead of posting up in front of their homes, a better call would have been to flood there mailboxes with letters telling how you feel. How hurting our peaceful friends and neighbors isn't appreciated. I believe this particular candlelight thing was a fail.
I've sent lots of letters over the years, and not one of them has ever done anything to change the problem with the law. What should I put in my letters to make them work, and how would this draw attention to my cause more effectively than, say, a candlelight vigil in front of the home of a tyrannical cop or judge?
wow that video was intense. Rivera was so pissed. And the other police there were like "WTF, they can come to our houses now?"
The cops might try to claim harassment, but I doubt they will get very far. It's not illegal to knock on someone's door (as long as you leave if they ask you to).
Sam sounded very upset at one point. I'd like to hear more on that. Sam didn't sound this upset while he was in jail, why so upset now?
An appearance of Keene having a good police department is not likely to be a coincidence but more likely due to the hard work of those who spent many hours confronting them in a constructive and instructive manner. This was my first encounter with Rivera, but he has a serious anger problem and has no business being any part of the criminal justice system – other than to bring in to an anger management class to demonstrate how not to behave! Cruel actions produce cruelness in the people, and he may have been treated very cruelly in the past, and… Read more »
I gather that many here genuinely would like to engage the police in a meaningful dialog about modifying the way certain laws are enforced. However I do think that messing with them and their families at their homes is the wrong way to do it. Now if you are just looking to provoke a confrontation or cause them to be even more deeply entrenched in their ways then keep it up. If you want to have your vigils at the court, the police station, Central Square, or other public places then that is fine. But if you start messing with… Read more »
I disagree. These men will now have their families asking them, 'Why are those people out on the street with candles in front of our house?' What are they gonna say? 'Because they're violent law-breaking animals?' Even the most brainwashed of the ignorant won't buy that. The tyrannical actions of these men are coming home to roost, literally. That is what they have earned for themselves by their actions, and by their abuse and imprisonment of peaceful people. Further violence by them in response to people with candles will be seen for what it is, the heavy hand of tyranny… Read more »
This is great activism. Might be even better if you don't even talk to the cops, just hang out in front of the house with candles and ignore the police…
You have definitely got their attention. I take back the letter comment. I guess my opposition isn't the candlelight vigil or even where it was done. It would be wasting my breath talking to those rock-head bureaucrats. oh John just said the same thing.
@R
Unfortunately after people get home from their jobs the only place to protest the actions of these thugs is when they are at their homes. People have a right to peacefully assemble and ask their public officials to stop hurting people.
They should get a job in the private sector if they don't like being public officials.
I am sure if the government was accessible after people got home from work or on the weekends, they would address their public officials and hold vigils at government offices.
For the sake of discussion put the shoe on the other foot if you can. How would you feel if people were demonstrating outside your house? I’ll bet you wouldn’t think too much of it nor would you tend to be sympathetic to their views. You talk about your right to assemble but don’t forget their right to feel secure in their home. If you want to win the hearts and minds of the officers you won’t accomplish it this way. All you will accomplish is their further entrenchment and distain.
I would feel like I needed to reexamine my own choices, if a group of people were standing outside my house with candles protesting my actions. It wouldn't matter if I were sympathetic to their views or not, obviously they did not show up for no reason. If they did not want anyone to come to their homes maybe they shouldn't enact tyranny on others, wouldn't you think? R, all you are doing is defending the evil acts of evil or misguided men. Why do you persist in this? What is so laudable about these particular men, that no one… Read more »
R,
I wonder why all those people would feel the need to voice their concerns to their public officials on the weekend.
Maybe they have to work during the week and don't have the time until the weekend?
I wonder what Burke and Eli Rivera did to make people hold a peaceful vigil in front of their homes on a weekend? You'd think people have better things to do, they must have done something really bad.
R, I'm in my own home right now, and your comment is making me uncomfortable! I demand you be kidnapped and robbed!
If I ever slam someone’s head and neck against a surface, and injury results – please hold a candlelight vigil for the victim, and demand restitution or at least an acceptance of blame and an apology from me.
Most important: great job countering force with peace. This vigil, even if not highly viewed on the youtube, was seen by the actual neighbors of these tyrant-followers. As was said before: how are they going to explain their disdain for people holding a candlelight vigil? How can they dehumanize the humane to justify their actions, and indeed their very livelihood?
i thought here would be the best place to post my reactions to last night, because it has the most chance of being viewed by those who i would want to see it. first off, i have to say that many in 'my own circle' will disagree with me, and that's perfectly okay. these are my opinions based on my beliefs, and i don't expect anyone to adopt them because i say so. i think there were many miscommunications last night that created a situation i was not fully supportive of. the intentions i held when choosing to take part… Read more »
Why do I persist with my line of thinking? The very same reason you do. It’s my opinion and what I believe. You don’t have to agree with it as I don’t with yours. I still find it a little naive that you think that these actions will win over the police officers and cause them to modify the way they do things. I think it will do just the opposite and come back and bite you at some point. But if you do believe it then more power to you I guess. S, Kidnapped and robbed? Pretty extreme I… Read more »
I hope this happens every night. What are they going to do to stop you? Don't talk to the cops at all, and just stand outside the homes in silence until Kurt is released. I bet his comfort is much worse than the people who live in these homes.
Don't bother to call 911, R, the same goons who do the robbing will show up.
just leave the men alone. eli is a good man, whether you wish to believe it or not. he did not purposefully break his neck by pushing him against the wall or whatever you guys think happened. people exaggerate. rivera needed to do his job by restraining the defendant. and, if the defendant had cooperated with the court in the first place, he wouldn't have gotten the maximum penalty, and thus wouldn't have broken his neck.
These candlelight vigils need to be Candlelight Caroling. Songs of love, peace, and forgiveness toward the violent enemies of Liberty.
And if you call me a hippy, I'll throttle you! 😉
Not really 😛
@JlG: "rivera needed to do his job", please clarify the requirement of "need" and how it was achieved by the use of violence? Also, I understand it might make you feel better but the blatant transparency here of you "blaming the victim" is insulting to anyone with half a brain. For example: "She wouldn't have gotten raped if she hadn't been wearing that miniskirt she was really asking for it." Furthermore, whether or not a person is "good" is not a matter of belief, one way or the other. It is a matter of fact. To clarify this for you,… Read more »
We're yet to see the fallout of these candelight vigils in front of government houses, but I think it was a terrible idea.
Now you've all given the public a reason to think the Keene activists are a threat. Talk all you want about how peaceful and principled you all are, but the public isn't going to see it that way.
"A Gang," one of the cops called you. I understand why he thinks that way. I know better, but that's because I know many of you.
Peaceful assembly with candles is somehow threatening now?
I'll support leaving the cops alone at their houses once they promise to leave us alone at our houses. As it currently stands, if I don't pay their salary, they come and kick me out of my house. They don't come and hold a peaceful candlelight vigil asking for my money, that's for sure.
I'm sorry I left with a ride home now. A gang? Intimidating? What a laughingstock for Rivera's family to claim feeling threatened when his career is predicated upon making others fearful of the things they do in the privacy of their home. Your violence and childish temper are finally coming back to you Eli. In the year I have been here and participating in local activism, I have seen nothing from this group that could REMOTELY be construed a ill-intentioned or violent. I have seen several instances of police violence and numerous instances of violence at large that the police… Read more »
You should all be shot. Crossing a line from peace to overly present. If you were on my door step I would've come out swinging with my trusty louisville slugger.
Wow – how incredibly violent of you. No one was in danger, so no defensive force would be necessary.
Shyfrog: "These candlelight vigils need to be Candlelight Caroling. Songs of love, peace, and forgiveness toward the violent enemies of Liberty." I couldn't agree more! Wanna write me a melody?: ROGATION COPYRIGHT 2009 by Sam A. Robrin or whoever the hell it is who writes these things. Go ahead and use it, but if you make a little money on it, I want some! You think we hate you, But you're wrong– We hate the way you've trampled liberty so long. Your hate we're staunchly Resentful of, But we respond with pity, sympathy, and love. You think we fear you–… Read more »
I can't even believe this website and the direction the city of Keene is going. I grew up in Keene and never thought a bunch of losers would be able to act like this. From what I get from your website and your "videos" your all a bunch of pussies that are going in the wrong direction to accomplishing anything but being a nuisence. I'll tell you if you showed up at my doorstep they'd be bringing bodybags because I would enact my second amendment right. Here's an idea for you bunch of assholes put down the bongs and go… Read more »
I think this event must have been posted on a police blog or something. The crazy violent threats against peaceful activities are coming out of the woodwork.
Hey Dingdong,
I was just on the cool website no police blog so don't get excited. As I stated I grew up in Keene, try to keep up I know your brains full of resin. You're not peaceful but if that is what you need to tell yourselves to sleep at night.
I believe that marijuana should be legalized but I also believe that you are hurting this cause.
first off, i personally don't believe the US Army is currently protecting me from anything, but i do appreciate that the those who think they are protecting my freedom would be so willing to do so.
but if they are willing to die for my freedom, wouldn't it be disrespectful to not act like a free person?
I'm glad you came by tonight. It really reinforces to every single supporter that they are taking the correct paths with their lives, "being morons" and trying to destroy your country.
You need a hug?
To KEEPKEENESHACKLED: Overtly violent, jingoistic nonsense like you spout IS the problem with this country. The real threats to freedom and liberty are found RIGHT HERE within our own borders, not thousands of miles away in a scrap of desert people have been fighting over for centuries. I did go down the recruiters office once, and they proved conclusively to be full of shit, and shameless opportunists more interested in threatening kids into "service" than listening to their real concerns about their own life. Furthermore, your second amendment right is to keep and bear arms for personal defense, not for… Read more »
IAWAI, No I don't need a hug but Thanks for asking. And it's not my country it's our country. SMEG your a misguided individual if you don't think your being protected from anything. I've got a great idea why don't you guys take your 420 group international and see how it goes in Afghanistan. I'm glad that your stuck in your little box where your biggest concern is where to smoke your next bong. I guess the Armed Services are doing their job!
KEEPKEENESHACKLED,
You don't have to go kill people in other countries for me to be free. It would be nice if you'd stop threatening to hurt peaceful people who haven't harmed anyone, just because they don't live their lives exactly the way you want them to.
THAT would be pro-freedom.
The reality is, you pay lip service to liberty, but you're really right on board with tyranny — arbitrary control of governments over our lives.
I can't even believe this post Josh. You're way off base and I don't know if it's ignorance or stupidity. You have the right to assemble it's in the constitution but when you move it to a person's property you're crossing a line that is more hurtful to your cause. You won't see it that way of course. Josh you and I will have to agree to disagree because we see this country in two totally different lights. I want my family protected and to be able to sleep at night and you guys want to smoke pot where ever… Read more »
According to stuff I can see as an admin, KeepKeeneShackled = RuKidding = freddie
Hey RUKidding – why are you pretending to be more than one person?
KEEPKEENESHACKLED: Its not my country its just another landmass with a violent government holding dominion over the people living on it.
I don't need the government's armed forces to do anything for me I can keep myself free and safe from the boogey men you fear so much your willing to enslave yourself and everyone around you. (HINT you can't trade liberty for security!)
Please get a life beyond forcing others to obey your rules.
Peaceful assembly with candles is somehow threatening now? No. But of course you leave out the "in front of a cop's house" part, in which case, the answer is Yes. It is threatening when a group of people show up at your house (or your neighbor's house), with or without candles, with the obvious intention of airing their animosity and indignation. The fact that you were all holding candles does not negate the obvious. You may feel completely morally justified in holding vigils in front of Rivera's house, but that doesn't mean the community is going to see it as… Read more »
Comment by Ian
According to stuff I can see as an admin, KeepKeeneShackled = RuKidding = freddie
How could anyone be unable to see through so obvious a hoax name?
Kellie: I think its about showing that these thugs that they can't just walk away after hurting innocent people that it will NOT be forgotten.
If a group showed up at my hose holding candles I would be very interested in speaking with them and having a open full dialog with the group since I don’t want a bad reputation.
But sadly government thugs don't care about having horrible reputations they aren't held accountable for there bad decisions.