In it, he argues that government workers, including parking enforcers, have no right to be left alone:
Plaintiff’s assertion of a public employee right to be left alone has no legal basis, particularly as applied to political speech on public sidewalks, and does not trump the right of protestors to express their message at close range or from afar.
The demands of the “City” are so dangerous, Meyer argues it’s critical the court reject them: (more…)
The NH ACLU’s attorney, Anthony J. Galdieri argues that the city has no case when they claim Robin Hooders have engaged in “tortious interference”:
In the context of non-violent protests aimed at influencing societal or governmental change, tortious speech is only actionable if it amounts to violent or unlawful conduct. See Claiborne
Hardware Co., 458 U.S. at 917-18 (holding in context of protest that the state may impose
damages only for violent or unlawful conduct, not for non-violent protected activity, even if
that non-violent protected activity causes economic harm).
The NH ACLU also affirms that the city’s proposed restrictions on Robin Hooders are unconstitutional, including a “buffer zone” where speaking to the meter maids would be prohibited, as would be recording them. The proposed restrictions are clear violations of NH Constitution article 8 and 22, which protect the right of people to access a responsive government and protect free speech.
Nor should the city be allowed to handle the Robin Hooders through the courts, says the ACLU: (more…)
Activists Explain Bitcoin and More at Cheshire Fair 2014!
Wow! What an amazing week at the Cheshire Fair! Sunday was (surprisingly) the busiest day at the fair of the entire week, and may have been the best day I can recall in all three years I’ve done booths at the fair. People were constantly streaming by the booth. As a result, we gave out over 200 Bitcoin fliers today alone, and probably close to 600 BTC fliers throughout the five days of the fair. In fact, we nearly ran out of full-color BTC fliers on Friday and I ordered 400 more black and white flyers from Staples and we gave them ALL out on Saturday and Sunday!
Once the Bitcoin flyers were tapped out on late Sunday afternoon, the crowd (there at that point for the demolition derby) continued to flow by. Chris Cantwell, (who is an amazing talent at doing booth outreach) and I handed out a large stack of CopBlock WARNING fliers. After quickly exhausting that supply, we moved on to handing out NHjury.com and Foundation for NH Independence fliers for the remainder of the event. In total, just Sunday alone, we likely handed out 500 fliers of the above-listed sorts.
Naturally, it was a lot easier to hand out the CopBlock, Independence, or Jury fliers. The reactions to those were almost all positive. Getting the Bitcoin flyers out was more of a challenge, mainly because lots of people attending the Cheshire Fair do not have internet! (We live in the woods.)
Giving away the pro-secession Foundation for NH Independence fliers was especially enjoyable as it was fun to watch New Hampshirites’ eyes light up (more…)
Liberty activists are back at the 2014 Cheshire Fair for our third year! In addition to the usual liberty-oriented propaganda, this year’s booth features a bitcoin vending machine! If you haven’t gotten started with bitcoin yet, drop by and we can set you up with a free bitcoin wallet from Blockchain.com and you can fund the wallet with bitcoin via the vending machine at the table.
UPDATE 8/1 – Over a hundred Bitcoin flyers have been distributed thus far, bitcoin wallets have been set up, and response from those stopping is very positive. See you at the fair!
Josie Wales and Chris Cantwell talk about Bitcoin to attendees at the 2014 Cheshire Fair
A couple of months ago, Free Keene blogger Rich Paul was arrested for “violation of probation”. Despite having failed a drug test and having admitted using cannabis, probation officer Jason Smith had chosen not to arrest Rich, per his testimony at the hearing below. Smith said he was arrested because a local hater snitched on Rich, claiming he’d violated probation by possessing a weapon.
Rich says he was using a camera monopod to take a defensive stance against two employees of Pedraza’s/Pour House who were threatening, and subsequently attacking, people who were chalking in Central Square. In point of fact, one Pour House employee who did a lot of threatening, is seen in the video of the incident, taking the camera Rich had put down and smashing it, among other criminal acts.
In a full violation of probation hearing at Cheshire superior court this week, Rich was jailed over the cannabis violations, but vindicated of the most serious charges: weapons & rioting. The video and testimony made it clear his actions were justified. He was legitimately using the monopod to prepare to defend himself and others from attack. As I understand it, in NH even felons are allowed to defend themselves against attack, and use anything in the vicinity in order to do so.
Regarding the cannabis violations, probation officer Smith testified that probation was pointless for Rich, as he is going to continue using cannabis for medical purposes. There are 500 people on probation, and only four agents, according to Smith. Judge John C Kissinger took Smith’s recommendation and agreed to remove Rich’s probation after he serves six months in the Keene Spiritual Retreat! (Factoring in his time served prior to the hearing and presuming he meets the NH “good time” requirements, he’ll be out in about three months, in time to speak at Keenevention 2014!)
Rich’s testimony is passionate and principled. This is a great court video:
The probation system is awful and is designed to violate the participants, over and over, keeping them in an unending cycle of destruction of their lives. (more…)
In addition to the NH ACLU filing an amicus brief in the Robin Hood case, Robin Hooders’ free-speech attorney Jon Meyer has also filed his brief in the case. As always, the award-winning attorney excoriates and embarrasses the “city’s” outrageous, dangerous, and illegal positions and demands.
