The Keene Equinox Reports on the Absence of Activist Arrests at Pumpkin Fest

by | Oct 24, 2010 | 58 comments

Thanks to Andrew Reynolds at the Keene Equinox for this piece:

A year after six protestors were arrested for allegedly smoking pot, the scene at this year’s Pumpkin Fest remained relatively joyous and peaceful.

Last year, state and local police officers encircled a group of 15 to 25 pro-marijuana demonstrators in front of City Hall and interrupted their gathering after three of the protestors supposedly lit up a marijuana cigarette. Later, three more protestors were arrested and charged with misdemeanors.

Both the protestors and the wafting tang of marijuana smoke were absent this year. Yet police officers still poured out of the City Hall entrance. Within the half hour between 3:30 and 4:00, more than 10 officers unhurriedly emerged from the building. This time there were no signs, no megaphones, and no pot parties.

According to a Free Keene member who witnessed the demonstration at City Hall, at least a dozen police officers surrounded last year’s group of about 20 protestors. (more…)

Is Keene Pleasantville?

by | Oct 24, 2010 | 26 comments

Thanks to KPD for leaving this fall’s Free Keene Fest alone – if only they’d done the same to the cub scouts and homeless shelter the day prior. Anyway, Free Keene Fest was a great time, and here’s a pic courtesy of Puke. You can see more of his photos of the event here. It hearkens to one of my favorite movies ever and makes me wonder, not for the first time, “Is Keene Pleasantville?”

Free Keene Fest

If you haven’t seen Pleasantville, I highly recommend you do so! Here’s the trailer: (more…)