As you may recall, at the very beginning of the year, half-a-dozen liberty activists were banned “forever” from Cheshire “superior” court for the horrible crimes of asking bureaucrats questions and singing parody Christmas carols in the parking lot.
Kelly, Derrick, and I were all arrested at the court in February and charged with “Criminal trespass” for simply trying to go to court. Heroic first amendment attorney Jon Meyer joined the case on my defense and filed a motion to dismiss.
Now David Lauren, the attorney representing “the state” has responded with a ridiculous “Answer and Objection to Motion to Dismiss” and “Motion for Protective Order“. Essentially, Lauren argues that our rights weren’t violated because we could have asked to come anytime and it would have been granted. He also claims that court employees were afraid for their personal safety as well as that of their family and home. Apparently singing songs strikes fear into the hearts of government bureaucrats.
Sounds to me like they are projecting. Hey bureaucrats – us activist-folk are peaceful – it’s YOU guys that are supporting and doing violence every day in your role in the aggressive court system. No activist has ever harmed a court employee or destroyed their property. There’s no reason to be afraid, but they are so fearful that their attorney has motioned for a “protective order”, which, if granted, would allow the court bureaucrats to submit affidavits without last names or addresses! What cowards!
Today the New Hampshire Supreme Court released an 111-page order proposing changes to the rules of the New Hampshire Judicial Branch. The proposal comes immediately before the voters of New Hampshire will have the opportunity to pass CACR26.
CACR26 is an amendment to the New Hampshire Constitution that will allow the New Hampshire General Court greater oversight authority of the Judicial Branch rule making process.
If you’re a regular reader of this blog you’re aware that journalist Jason Talley faced criminal charges because the NH Judicial Branch made “rules” restricting press freedom rights. The rules were enacted immediately after a judge was caught on camera conveying objectively false information to law enforcement to have someone arrested.
The proposal allows public comment about the rule changes until November 21st. Make your voice heard (and part of the official record) by emailing the NH Supreme Court at rulescomment@courts.state.nh.us.
Please get out to vote to pass CACR26 in November!!
A New Hampshire woman with a federal civil rights lawsuit against Loudon police has settled with the officers involved on the day prior to the scheduled trial. Jessica Dennis had filed the suit in June of 2011, in relation to an incident that had happened to her while she was being arrested in July of 2009. Dennis was in woods near a house party that police were breaking up when she was attacked by a police canine. She sustained injuries from the attack, and after police had pulled the dog off of her, she was taken into custody for suspicion of underage drinking. Reports also indicate that the police immaturely insulted and ridiculed her throughout the ordeal. She would be found guilty of nothing in state criminal court before filing the federal case alleging violations of her civil rights.
Yesterday’s Sunday News featured three articles, including one front page piece on the recent jury nullification victory of Douglas Darrell. The story has been previously covered by Free Keene and the Huffington Post. Darrell, a Rastafari practitioner, stood accused of ‘manufacturing’ some cannabis plants found by police helicopters hovering over his Barnstead property.
Our newest show, featuring a roundtable discussion with hosts Ali Havens and James Cleaveland and special guests Kelly Voluntaryist and Derrick J Freeman! I hope you enjoy and let me know if you like this format better than the other topic shows or straight news and analysis! Thanks!
In court, judge Ed Burke gave the prosecutor 30 days to respond to the motion to dismiss. Next court date is a hearing on the no “trespass” order, November 14th at 9am in Keene district court. Here is the video from today’s hearing:
