Here’s the full post from Liberty On Tour, with lots of detail.
Just after 8am yesterday morning, Beau and I left MARV and walked to Manchester District Court, where Ademo and Wes Gilreath were to be arraigned for allegedly engaging in victimless actions this past Saturday at a pro-police accountability rally held at the Manchester PD.
Just after noon, we left with Ademo (free(r) on personal recognizance) but without Wes, who had an outstanding warrant for a failure appear per charges levied upon him for sitting on a cruiser last year in Keene that was transporting Heika Courser to jail. Wes will spend the next 20 days at Cheshire County until his court date unless his bail of $1000 can be paid.
Later, while Ademo was getting his property back from the Valley St. Jail, Beau and I went to the Manchester PD to demand the return of our property – one of LOT’s two video cameras (a Canon HD CMOS), our only point-and-click camera (an Olympus VG-120), and my cell phone (a Samsung Galaxy S). After many conversations with Manchester PD employees we left, noting that we’d return the following morning at 8:30am when another employee would be present to facilitate the return of our property.
(I should note that most of the gear stolen by individuals working for the Manchester PD had been purchased only after my previous phone and video camera were stolen by Todd M. Dodge and his colleagues of the Greenfield, MA PD (see donation allocation) last year.
Random Details:
When entering Manchester District Court my wallet chain and keys were taken from me. I asked to keep my keys on my person but once my request was denied once my handcuff key was noticed. At that moment two individuals wearing guns with “New Hampshire State Patrol” badges walked through the security checkpoint, setting off the alarm. I pointed out to the bailiff that two men with guns had just walked through, and questioned why they could keep their keys. “Are you a police officer?” came the response. “Why does that matter? I queried.”Why the double-standard?”Since neither Ademo nor Wes were listed on the four clipboards hanging on the entry wall instructing those on the docket where to go, Beau and I waited in line and asked the court clerk. The guy in front of me commented on the Tiananmen Square tattoo on my left forearm and ten minutes later we left shaking hands. Another guy from the Lebanon area that I’d crossed paths with in the past happened to be a couple people back in line, and we got caught-up. Good people everywhere:) Room 201 we were told.
We entered and sat. Friends of Ademo and Wes soon joined us. One – James – was told by bailiff H.G. Small to remove his hat. James noted that he’d prefer to keep it on since he’d just woken up. Small demanded he comply. I then asked Small whether his order was just a request or if he could point to a policy. Unable to do the latter, James put his hat back on and Small retreated back to his desk.
When an individual wearing “Hillsborough Sheriff’s Deputy” patch entered from the back of the room she immediately said “Take off your sunglasses!” to Beau, sitting a row back. Small asked Beau if he could remove his shades. Beau indicated that yes, he could remove them, but he’d prefer to keep them on. The bailiff intercepted her and explained that he’d already issued such a request and that the judge could take it up if he had an issue.
Visibly angry that her authority had been challenged, the deputy stormed out of the room, but not before I asked her to remove her shirt, since that it was an article of clothing like Beau’s sunglasses. My intention was to underscore that I had no more authority to issue such a command to her than she did to Beau. (Just want to be clear that the attire I singled out – her shirt – was not done to demean females or for any sexual reason, rather, it was one of the the only articles of clothing that came to mind, as slow-witted as I am.)
The bailiff – now D. G. Ramier – asked Beau of his glasses were prescription – “Why does that matter?” Beau responded. It was almost 9am and the bureaucrats present were on phones and radios requesting backup. Soon two employees of the Manchester PD – M. Valenti and another individual – entered and sat in the back of the room.
The prosecutors present were Bob Cunha and Steve Mangone.
Ademo was told that he was free at 10:20am but wasn’t released for another 2 1/2 hrs. That’s the kind of service that happens when there’s no competition or accountability.
Here’s Ademo’s update:
UPDATE by Ademo: I was finally released at approximately 12:30pm after a bail hearing. I was placed on $1,000 Personal Recognizance – meaning if I don’t go to court I’ll be fined that amount – with several ‘bail conditions,’ all things that are illegal already (except the excessive drinking one? – lol). My trial is scheduled for August 18th, 2011, I’m facing three misdemeanor charges (Criminal Mischief and two counts of Resisting).
I want to thank all of those who were at the protest against Manchester Police brutality ofthe past few weeks. Seems folks were right when they said the Manchester police were heavy handed and quick to use force. I also want to thank all those who made calls in support to the police station and jail facility for Wes and I (and the others prior to release).
For now it’s back to work, finishing the Free State Friendship Tour (and PorcFest) and then our trial in Greenfield. After that we’ll revisit this issue, thanks again and stay tuned for more from LibertyOnTour.com and CopBlock.org. – Much love Ademo!
