Dave Ridley To Disobey Media Restrictions in Manchester City Hall on 4/8

Dave RidleyDave Ridley is back in disobedient mode as he prepares for a showdown with corrupt Manchester officials. From Spirit of Arcadia:

Dave Ridley vows civil disobedience at an April 8th demonstration after attempts by Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas and a security guard to restrict him from recording in the very public lobby of City Hall.

On March 26th, Ridley was trying to interview local officials including Gatsas who told the independent journalist that he must get permission from the City Clerk’s office before recording. According to Ridley, “an enraged security officer shortly appeared and made similar demands.” He describes the upcoming demonstration:

“In the absence of some major unexpected event, there will be an anti-censorship demonstration outside City Hall starting 6 p.m. on Monday, April 8. Then I intend to enter the lobby *with* my camera recording and *without* asking permission. I’ll try to record, non-disruptively, the outskirts of a City school-committee meeting. I’ll likely remain until arrested or until 7:30 p.m…whichever comes first! I invite all peaceable folk to join me.”

Live Free or Die – Unless You Want Uplighting for Your Property

nouplightingHere’s the story from the Sentinel’s Kyle Jarvis where Kohl’s would like to open a store in the old Sears building – creating jobs for Keene inhabitants. Meanwhile, the city screws up some of its own bureaucratic process and has to delay its own hearing where Kohl’s is to beg for a waiver. The Sentinel reports that city code prohibits uplighting. Gosh, we wouldn’t want you to be able to use lights to design things to make your business more attractive! And don’t you DARE paint your building anything bright and fun – this is New England – everything here must be drab, dull, and made of brick!

This is one among many provisions called “zoning” or “regulations” where a group of people calling themselves government – or “the Keene planning board” deem to tell you what you can and can’t do with something you paid for – or else they will send men with guns after you. I’d like to be able to say, “No thanks” as I’d rather not use their planning services. Yet I am the “radical” for wanting peace. Kohl’s should be able to open their store without having to ask permission – and so should you.

The Sentinel piece’s text follows: (more…)

Manchester Cop Fired/Arrested After Hit and Run

Obama with unidentified Londonderry officerToday Manchester police sergeant Stephen Coco was fired from the force, where he was reported to have worked on undercover narcotics investigations. Though WMUR reports that it is not clear who was driving the vehicle that hospitalized two teens Friday evening in Bedford, it was confirmed that the car was issued to the MPD officer. Chief David Mara spoke to press to express his shock at the incident.

Bedford police determined that a Manchester police vehicle might have been involved in the hit-and-run, Manchester police said Monday. Manchester police launched an internal investigation and determined that the unmarked vehicle was assigned to Stephen Coco, a detective sergeant working in the Special Investigations Unit.

Manchester police said the internal investigation is ongoing, but based on its findings so far, police determined that Coco violated several departmental procedures. As a result of the findings, Coco was fired. (more…)

Your “Servants” Don’t Have to Give their Names

So claims “Dispatcher 12” of Antrim Police in this audio where I called Antrim PD dispatch to try to find out the name of the officer who ticketed me yesterday. The Antrim dispatcher refuses to spell his name for me and hangs up, so I call back and record the call this time. She finally spells his name, but then refuses to identify herself, accuses me of harassing her, in addition to claiming her and her fellow employees have no obligation to give her name.

Imagine any business acting like this – why do people keep paying for this awful “service”?

Open Letter to the Mass. SJC

To whom it may concern,

I am the Owner and Managing Editor of Free Press Publications which is a Registered News Organization with the SJC.

On the morning of March 20, I went to the Palmer District Court to attend and cover a hearing in the case of State v Ian Freeman. Upon arrival, I was told that I could not bring my camera & tripod, to which I responded, “I’m media, yes, I can,” and pulled out the form that was sent to me via email from Erika Gully-Santiago (Deputy Public Information Officer).

The bailiff said that since I did not present him “the original” (something I don’t have, as it was sent electronically) that he would need to have a judge verify the form, and that I would need to wait outside of the building.

After waiting for nearly 45 minutes, I was told I would need to fill out a motion which the judge would need to approve before I would be allowed through the security checkpoint; this time I was allowed to stand between the two sets of doors instead of waiting outside. In total it was almost 1 hour from the time I arrived at the Palmer District Court and the time I was allowed through security.
I have a few questions that I would like answered:

  1. Is this the normal procedure for ALL members of the media, or is this treatment reserved for people who are not members of the big media companies?
  2. As a Registered News Organization, why was I required to fill out a motion to film?
  3. Is a motion required each time I wish to film a trial?
  4. If a motion IS required each time I wish to film a trial, why must I be registered with the SJC?
  5. If a motion is NOT required each time I wish to film a trial, why was one required today?

I anticipate your response with answers to each of the questions I’ve asked.

In Peace, Freedom, Love & Liberty,
Darryl W. Perry