I attended the unofficial city gathering this evening at City Hall to listen to what people had to say about the use of Central Square. In a nutshell, what it came down to is people needing to be respectful of others and take responsibility for their actions. Yes, it’s a public area, but that only means to me that EVERYONE should feel comfortable being there. Many townspeople aren’t happy with the swearing, the aggressive acts (fighting, yelling, etc) they witness, people getting screamed at and even threatened for sitting on park benches and observing what is taking place at the park. I happen to also not be happy with my community treating others in this way.
The atmosphere has changed drastically in the past year. Last summer I loved hanging out there and I felt that despite some civil disobedience (I even proudly partook in much of it), it was non-threatening and peaceful. Now, I don’t enjoy being there or even walking through the park. And I certainly don’t walk through it at night if I’m alone. This isn’t ok with me.
Unfortunately at the meeting it seemed that the room became divided: they weren’t members of the community so much as ‘freestaters’ and ‘juggalos’ and angry townspeople and business owners. So, instead of blaming a ‘group’ or ‘gang’ or ‘those people,’ what can we, as an entire community, do to make this popular hangout spot an area for people of all ages?
Some ideas I have heard through the grapevine to make the park more comfortable for all were curfews and surveillance cameras. I personally don’t like either of these options. On October 26th there will be an official City Council meeting to talk about what to do, and if anyone has some positive/constructive ideas I sincerely hope that you will take a few minutes to attend this meeting, or even submit a letter to City Council.
A young man was stabbed to death last night in Keene. According to a local who was an acquaintance of the victim, the Keene Sentinel is not accurate in its reporting of this case. They are claiming the victim intervened in a fight and was killed for it, but that’s not what I heard today…
As soon as I saw the headline, I guessed it was drug related, but wanted to wait rather than speculate. Now it is confirmed by an anonymous source who knew the victim:
17-year-old Craig Metivier was allegedly murdered over $100 worth of cocaine.
According to an anonymous source’s allegations, 19 year old Ethan Wilson had been given $100 worth of cocaine on the front, and never returned with the cash, prompting Metivier to go looking for him. When he found him, it’s likely a fight ensued, ending with Metevier being stabbed in the heart and lungs.
UPDATE @ 5:17pm: Value of cocaine changed to $100 and more accurate story above.
Sad, isn’t it? The worst part is, Metivier would likely still be alive today if we did not have drug prohibition. Drug buyers would be able to buy their product at the drug store, and it would be available at a much lower price than in the black market. Don’t believe me? Go ask Law Enforcement Against Prohibition‘s Rick Van Wickler – he’s the superintendent of the Cheshire jail, and he knows the truth about prohibition.
End prohibition now, before more people have their lives ruined by an arrest and conviction, or worse get physically harmed or killed in a drug deal gone bad.
WOW. Copblock and Liberty on Tour‘s Pete and Ademo went to trial today on felony “wiretapping” charges and “resisting arrest” in Greenfield, MA. (Click for extensive background info.) Over fifty supporters turned out! The courtroom was literally full with liberty-loving friends and associates of Pete and Ademo. Before trial, the “trespassing” charges were dropped, which was the original reason for arrest, but as we have seen, that never stops them from continuing prosecution.
Unfortunately, electronic devices were forbidden from the courtroom, with the exception of Jason Talley, who was the anointed one allowed in with a video camera. He was also allowed to bring in his tablet computer, which they decided that he can not bring in for the final day of trial, tomorrow. Why? Probably because he did an awesome job of videoblogging the trial, including classic moments showing what the atmosphere in court was like. Here’s a quick video showing one of SEVERAL instances of the audience erupting into applause for Pete and Ademo.
Besides that, the audience also laughed multiple times, and the court security and robed man did nothing. In addition, multiple hats were worn in court, and nothing was done. Nothing was also done about the applause, even though the prosecutor asked the robed man to stop it.
With the memorial to Thomas Ball in mind, a man chewed up and spit out by the family court system, I wanted to share a lawsuit against a police officer who illustrates the unintended consequences of using state violence to address thee non-violent problems of someone not paying their obligated child support.
The case is Henry v. Purnell, No. 08-7433 and it is from the 4th Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. The case is another instance of a police officer “accidently” using a gun to shoot someone running away in lieu of a Taser.
From Findlaw.com:
In a Section 1983 action arising from the fatal shooting of a suspect wanted for misdemeanor failure to pay child support, summary judgment in favor of defendant-police officer is reversed because: 1) although defendant intended to use his Taser rather than his gun to stop fleeing suspect, Tennessee v. Garner prohibits shooting suspects who pose no significant threat of death or serious physical threat; and 2) defendant’s use of force could be viewed by a jury as objectively unreasonable.
Yeah, I’d say that blasting a non-violent person with lead “could be” construed as “objectively unreasonable.” When you use state violence to solve non-violent problems, this is what happens. People get shot. Over owed child support.
If you think these cases are rare, you’d be incorrect. This particular case came out yesterday. I only chose to share it with you now in reflection of Mr. Ball’s memorial.
CORRECTION: Findlaw was incorrect in their syllabus stating that the man in this case was murdered. The man thankfully lived through this encounter, but it clearly could have turned out far worse.
An update on Ademo Freeman’s arrest and the Keene Courts, Ron Paul to introduce a bill that would allow TSA officials to be charged with sexual assault for groping passengers, CA cops get $5,600 for washing their motorcycles, and the Feds want ISPs to keep internet history for 18 months just in case they want to look at it.
Exactly one month to the day Thomas James Ball self-immolated at Cheshire “superior court”, friends, supporters, family, and critics of the insane “justice” system will gather to remember Thomas Ball, when the government people just want you to forget him. It happens tomorrow, Friday 7/15 at 8:30a in front of the “superior court” building at 12 Court St. in Keene. Here’s a facebook event for it. Though I created the facebook event, this event is not Free Keene’s creation. Liberty lovers at FK were invited by the event’s original creators, who I believe are the father’s rights group of which Tom Ball was a part.
k. I happen to also not be happy with my community treating others in this way.
A young man was stabbed to death last night in Keene. According to a local who was an acquaintance of the victim, the 
WOW. 
Exactly one month to the day 
