Over the past several weeks I have been working to create a local TV news show on Cheshire TV, the Keene based cable-access station. Several activists and myself have been working to learn all the roles and responsibilities required to put on a quality programing. Many of the key roles are filled though I am open to more people coming on board as well as finding alternates so the principles can have a week off at times.
The vision I have for Free Keene TV is one of a polished and professional news broadcast. The show ought to be flexible and capable of being altered to spend more time on important topics with news being the priority. The show ought to also offer a variety of topics and cover a wide swath of community concerns.
Currently, I am working on creating polished graphics and audio components to increase the production quality. We have spent considerable time working on getting the lighting to meet a certain standard as well. The show is scripted entirely including the anchor reading from a teleprompter, the only exception being interviews and freestyle punditry.
I have more openings for all types of roles and if you are interesting in helping either in front of or behind the camera, send me a message through the forum, facebook or shoot me an email at jjschless @ yahoo.com.
As you may recall, last summer, talented activist and Free Keene blogger Meg McLain was arrested with me, Wes, and Rich Paul for standing in front of the Keene police cruisers as they attempted to kidnap Keene native Heika Courser for enjoying a beer in the park on a Sunday afternoon. Some video of the original arrests are here.
Now, nearly a year later, the matter is coming to a jury trial. Meg faces charges including “Obstructing Government Administration” and the old standby, “Disorderly Conduct”. Come out at 9am to Cheshire Superior Court and see it for yourself. Here’s the facebook event.
For standing in front of a police car, she faces as much as two years in jail.
Since my economic views are pretty mainstream– I’m no Murray Rothbard, or Robert Murphy (or even Milton Friedman, really)– I get the impression that much of my writing would feel a bit out of place here. Thus the separate blog.
(No, I don’t intend to leave Free Keene any time soon. I’ll keep posting Keene-oriented blogs here.)
It’s that time again…Free Keene Fest will be held Sunday, May 8, from 12-4pm on Railroad Square. The rock band, Federal Crime, will be playing live during the festival. If they sound familiar to you, it’s probably because they have played at other Free Keene Fests and even played behind the E.F. Lane Hotel during the Music Festival last fall!
There will be lots of unique things to do, see, and buy. A few will even be handing out informational material on various liberty-oriented topics! Poker and other games will be set up, and food/ beverages will be for sale. Looking for some pro-liberty apparel to sport? Come on down! There will be a couple of vendors, including one of my favorite local artists, Dave Dixon, selling his famous t-shirts and sweatshirts. Did I mention there will be a clothing drop-off if you are looking to give to the community? Clothing will be collected at the Fr33 Aid booth to be donated to a local charity and anyone in need.
Free Keene Fest has been a fun time for many for almost five years, being held biannually. Many people come from afar to hang out with other liberty-minded individuals. There are no permits or vendor’s fees paid to the city of Keene for this festival of freedom. However, responsibility for your property/trash/etc is expected!
I sincerely hope to see this Spring’s Free Keene Festival a smashing success!
This week I start the process of a jury trial for my arrest last July. The wonderful people at Civil Disobedience Evolution Fund have posted my first hand account of the events of that day, and even started a facebook event for the trial.
Heika met Ademo and Pete from Liberty on Tour last year at her workplace at the time. She ended up coming out to the summer Nightcap events in the park and getting to know many other liberty activists. She excitedly got involved in the movement and began learning about the ideas of liberty. Her road to liberty has been a particularly difficult one. When she was arrested for enjoying a beer in the park last summer, many of her family members and “friends” ostracized her for being associated with liberty lovers. Despite the setback, she continued down her path and has now become involved in the local homeless shelter and Keene’s government through council meetings and committees and is even planning a run for city council later this year. So, welcome Heika as our newest blogger. You can get full details on the rest of our bloggers here. Here’s her bio:
Heika Courser (“hcourser”) – Heika is a Keene native and friend to many FSP members. She is a big supporter of the phrase, “No victim, no crime.” Although she is not in support of many things the government does, she has recently become very interested in local politics, such as city council and other city committees. Heika also proudly partakes in many acts of civil disobedience as well as supports her liberty-oriented friends with vigils, protests, attending court hearings and trials, and more.
Heika Courser (“hcourser”)
