ShireTV – Banned Special Edition

shiretv_fr33keeneThis past week I spent some time collecting video, writing a script, directing and editing an episode of ShireTV to air on the evening of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The public access studios were closed in observance of the federal holiday, so I stepped up to create an episode to be submitted the week prior with the assistance of the program’s usual cohost James Cleaveland. After an evening of shooting with a day to edit and publish a submittable, finished episode, I allowed one of the associate producers of the weekly show to review the finished product. This was not my first involvement with ShireTV, as I had made a guest appearance in the past. It was my first endeavor behind the camera for the show. Though numerous portions of my finished episode had to be removed for noncommercial reasons, a breaking point for whether or not an associate producer felt himself comfortable submitting the final cut revolved around the edification of the brief ending sequence. Dislike of a creative production is understandable, but as resistance was mlk_shiretvprovoked during the test screening, I knew that the uncensored version of the episode had to be released as its own production. It was decided that another producer would be sponsoring the episode with an alternative ending, and I agreed to coincide release of the uncompromised original cut with the previously scheduled airing. The unrestricted omniaudience of the internet will have access to the banned episode when it publishes here at 6:59pm. On cable will air the satisfactory, yet compromised edition of the program at 7:00pm. Organized in three segments, the show begins discussing local radio hubub in Keene from the week prior, then segues into Robin Hooding victories. The last segment is footage of US military veterans tossing back their war medals in the largest such demonstration since the Vietnam War, filmed at the 2012 NATO summit on May 20 in Chicago. (more…)

Hundreds Gather for Firearm Freedom at Capitol

2013_01_19_timemagznYesterday demonstrations were held across the US in support of firearm freedom. In Concord, hundreds attended a roughly two hour rally to oppose further restrictions on rights to self defense technologies.

Nobody was sighted counter-protesting, though at an antiabortion rally which occurred hours prior, a crowd was demonstrating in opposition. A photo from the steps of the state house was featured in a Time magazine article on the national rallies. An unedited video playlist features footage at Fr33manTVraw.

Gun Freedom Rally – Concord, NH

On Saturday January 19, people gathered at the 50 different State Houses in support of the right to bear arms in a group of events called “Guns Across America.” The organizers described the rally as “a PEACEFUL demonstration.” And wrote “We encourage everyone to bring pro gun and pro 2nd amendment signs. Open carry is permitted and encouraged. Any rifles MUST be unloaded with bolt open. Please note if you do carry, you do so of your own discretion. In addition, please act responsibly. The liberal media has made those against more gun legislation out to be mentally unstable or radicals. Actions speak louder than words, we are here not only to contest such legislation, but to contest such claims made against us. SPREAD THE WORD and make YOUR voice count!” (more…)

Occupied Chicago: The NATO Summit Protest Tapes, Day Zero

occapy_tripPresenting Day Zero of Free Concord’s Occupied Chicago series. The series features limited commentary over the raw video taken while traveling to and attending the NATO summit protests last May. This segment takes place in Boston, and begins with the group returning to its starting point eight hours after departure. After finding out that our bus trip would be replaced with a flight from Logan airport, some consumed their goods that were not approved by the TSA. This attracted South Station’s police, who in decriminalized Massachusetts chose not to act against the smokers. Once bus transport for the two or three among us who couldn’t fly is secured, an activist from Acton reads the subway guidelines for the week of the summit in Chicago. The video ends with a preview of Day One’s footage, to be released in the next week.

For previous coverage from this day’s police encounters, see Acton Cop Investigates Young People. For previous coverage of the NATO summit protests, see Pending: Coverage from the NATO Protests in Chicago, NATO 2012 Chicago: Initial Reports and Profiles from Occupy NATO.