Today was a major activism day in Keene as over 100 gathered at Railroad Square and after a meeting walked down to Central Square. During the walk, traffic was blocked for a few minutes (a tactic with which I don’t agree).
The occupation began at 12:15pm and was still active late this afternoon. A hardcore contingent of activists seems committed to camping out on the ground that is supposedly “public”. Will the aggressors called “the city of Keene” make a move against the peaceful demonstrators on the first night? Only time will tell.
Stay tuned here for more, but for the latest, drop into the Occupy Keene facebook page and discussion group.
There was one particularly interesting moment after 4:20 when the inevitable cannabis celebration began in Central Sq., one of the organizers spoke up that she was uncomfortable by the “illegal activity” going on nearby. (We had all gone under the gazebo as it had begun raining.) When the group, which was at least 20 people at this time, not including the people that were already in the gazebo, which brought the total closer to 30 people, was asked how many were bothered by “illegal activity” going on near them, and only three raised their hands. I thought that was an interesting moment – other community activists – not Free Keene-related – showing solidarity behind the peaceful people enjoying cannabis in the park.
Curiously, the Keene Sentinel put the count at 35, when it was well over 100. This is the same newspaper that refused to print my letter about ending drug prohibition, and refuses to acknowledge the recent tragic murder in Keene was because of a drug deal gone bad. The count at Central Square today was confirmed at over 105 at one point, and likely had 150 people at least over the four most active hours. Come on, Sentinel.
