If you’ve been watching the blog here at FreeKeene.com, you’ve no doubt already seen the multiple Ridley Report entries covering the Keene Police’s attempted crackdown on the Fall 2008 Keene Freedom Festival. Liberty activists and other members of the public were enjoying themselves at Railroad Square this past Sunday. Several organizations were doing outreach, there was a gambling table, live music by the Josh Noone Band (Here’s a live recording of “hypocrisy” from Freedom Fest.) and others, and lots of socializing and networking going on. Then, about an hour into the event, “city prosecutor” Elizer Rivera, showed up in a police uniform with three of his associates, “detective” William Sargent, “lieutenant” Jay Dugay, and “officer” Matt Griffin. Griffin was observing from across the street, while Sargent acted as the silent heavy. Dugay at least had a friendly demeanor even though he was threatening all of the attendees with arrest allegedly for illegally assembling without a permit. In the video footage, you can see I got him to laugh when I caught him saying something particularly silly. Dugay clearly would rather have been doing something else, but is not willing to refuse to follow bad orders.
Moments after their arrival, the police were surrounded by activists, many of whom were armed with video cameras or audio recorders. Even though Dugay claimed that they were responding to an alleged complaint and were investigating whether the Freedom Fest attendees had a permit or not, Rivera’s actions contradicted Dugay’s statements. (more…)
After being praised by activists for making some positive choices, “Justice” Edward Burke from the Keene “District Court” appears to have slid back down the path to totalitarianism. In an “ORDER” (.PDF) issued today, Burke claims that video cameras are “disruptive of the proper and orderly administration of justice”. He orders his subordinates to “require pool coverage” and apply the rule to “all court procedures conducted outside the courtroom or court facility”.
He also has rescheduled the “trial” that they are demanding in regards to the Freedom Couch for Friday, Nov. 14th at 1:30p.
My interpretation of their legalese is that there is a chance that activists who show up to the “district court” in Keene with cameras on the 14th stand a possibility of being arrested for simply recording the court security procedure or the clerk’s window. (more…)
Sam from the Obscured Truth Network and I did a ride along with Shane Maxfield, one of the lieutenants in the Keene Police. Here’s part four of five where we cover the suppression of consensual market alternatives to the coercive government system, drawing a line, following orders, and Russell Kanning:
This week, a non-local videographer interested in covering Ian Freeman’s “couch trial” (Wednesday, 10-29, at 10am) contacted the district court to ask about taking a camera into the court room. He was given the run-around as usual, and they eventually came back saying that cameras were not allowed in the court room.
Recently, the judge has allowed cameras and voice recorders in with no issue, and we have been silent and non-protesting over it because of his great judgment in allowing freedom of the press. However, here is this videographer’s account of his conversation with the court:
*I’m very aware that cameras were allowed and I told him as much. I tried to sound aware, but objective – he basically told me that the no camera rule is because “there’s a group of people trying to make an issue out of ‘having a right to film in the court'” and that they’re revoking it because “the judge has been very lenient up until now and it’s been abused”.*
Is this the show of some sort of crackdown against us? What kind of “abuse” has occurred because of the allowance of cameras? Or worse, are they planning a hard crackdown on Ian, and are banning cameras to disallow any recording of what happens? Stay tuned for updates and possible disobedience.
Sam from the Obscured Truth Network and I did a ride along with Shane Maxfield, one of the lieutenants in the Keene Police. Here’s part three of five where we cover complaints and the public relations consequences for police enforcing bad laws:
The AntiTerrorist reveals a secret “they” don’t want you to know. He claims governments are private corporations with investors who back up the issuance of new statues in hopes of getting a return on investment. Poppycock, you say? Watch this video, then read on to see what we uncovered on the “CITY OF KEENE”.
Sure enough, the “CITY OF KEENE” is indeed listed multiple times on Dun & Bradstreet. They list a headquarters and several branch locations, one for each department (fire, police, etc). (more…)
If you’ve been watching the blog here at FreeKeene.com, you’ve no doubt already seen the multiple Ridley Report entries covering the Keene Police’s attempted crackdown on the Fall 2008 Keene Freedom Festival. Liberty activists and other members of the public were enjoying themselves at Railroad Square this past Sunday. Several organizations were doing outreach, there was a gambling table, live music by the Josh Noone Band (Here’s a live recording of “hypocrisy” from Freedom Fest.) and others, and lots of socializing and networking going on. Then, about an hour into the event, “city prosecutor” Elizer Rivera, showed up in a police uniform with three of his associates, “detective” William Sargent, “lieutenant” Jay Dugay, and “officer” Matt Griffin. Griffin was observing from across the street, while Sargent acted as the silent heavy. Dugay at least had a friendly demeanor even though he was threatening all of the attendees with arrest allegedly for illegally assembling without a permit. In the video footage, you can see I got him to laugh when I caught him saying something particularly silly. Dugay clearly would rather have been doing something else, but is not willing to refuse to follow bad orders.
After being praised by activists for making some positive choices, “Justice” Edward Burke from the Keene “District Court” appears to have slid back down the path to totalitarianism. In an 
This week, a non-local videographer interested in covering Ian Freeman’s “couch trial” (Wednesday, 10-29, at 10am) contacted the district court to ask about taking a camera into the court room. He was given the run-around as usual, and they eventually came back saying that cameras were not allowed in the court room.
