The episode that started it all, Pilotus, fills the 7:00pm time slot this week which is usually occupied by a brand new episode of AKPF #1. If you were longing for original content, fret not! AKPF #1 returns next week with the premiere of episode 06, followed by the freshly cut episode 07 the following week. In those episodes, you’ll hear about historic revelations by whistleblower Edward Snowden, get the latest from the Robin Hooding case in Cheshire court, and see updates from the streets as an ally of Robin Hood is attacked by an angry man bent on preventing the documentation of an environment at thirty frames per second. In the meantime, relive the simpler existence from which the AKPF emerged, in the classic premiere episode Pilotus.
In a recent column, Steve Gilbert of the Keene Sentinel makes the argument that Free Keene’s Robin Hooders have violated the basic tenet of the golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I agree that the golden rule is a pretty good standard to try to live one’s life by. I do not feel that any of MY actions as a Robin Hooder have violated this tenet.
Unfortunately, the city of Keene does not abide by this principle. The city of Keene engages daily in a form of bullying through its parking enforcers by using the city’s position of power to coerce people into paying for parking in public spaces whether they want to or not. The tickets are a form of extortion that I believe is unwarranted since they are issued to people who are simply parking their vehicles; an act which I do not think justifies the use of force. If a private business left a bill on someone’s vehicle which kept exponentially increasing if it wasn’t paid, sent threatening letters to one’s home regarding the bill, and eventually stole and held someone’s car to coerce them to pay the bill, most would view this behavior as unacceptable and not abiding by the golden rule.
Judge John Kissinger has affirmed that the city’s case against Robin Hood of Keene and friends is on hold until an evidentiary hearing to be held on August 12. Received in the mail today was a notice of two hearings (June 24 and August 12), and a notice of decision. The notice for June 24 refers to a special hearing on media restrictions granted after a motion filed by Ian Freeman to address unconstitutional restrictions on electronics being exercised by the bailiffs beyond the direction of the sitting judge. Though not directly related to the Robin Hood case (rather, the media’s access to it), all parties were invited to attend the June date. The six-sentence decision acknowledges through omission that the preliminary order sought by the city was not granted as requested. Unless the pending motion to dismiss is granted, the matter will continue on with a full evidentiary hearing in August, in which the city will be compelled to substantiate its claims against Robin Hood and friends.
Thanks to Meghan Pierce for the excellent front-page feature article in the Union Leader on Robin Hood and the Merry Men and Women’s first appearance in court yesterday.
Plus, we got a feature story from Kyle Jarvis at the Keene Sentinel, though he (or perhaps the editors) wrongly states that I spoke on behalf of the other Robin Hooders at the hearing. This is not true. I did most of the speaking because the court was hearing my motion to dismiss. I wrote it, so I spoke about it. The others had nothing to do with that motion. I don’t represent them and they don’t represent me.
Finally, a video report from WMUR. Stay tuned as more media will be posted as it comes in.
The first hearing of the civil action filed by the “city of Keene” against myself and five others, alleged to be associated with Robin Hood of Keene, commenced earlier this afternoon. (Full video here) Despite the city’s numerous written pleadings for urgent action to be taken by the court, the issue of whether a preliminary injunction would be granted was not entertained. Instead, the judge requested optional positions from both sides on the constitutionality surrounding the proceedings, granting twenty days to file additional paperwork before a full evidentiary hearing would be scheduled. The city’s attorney Tom Mullins did not make much effort to obtain the emergency injunction he had sought after Ian Freeman’s motion to dismiss became the primary subject of today’s hearing. Ian is the only individual of the six named to have filed additional motions with the court, the five others only having responded as was obligated of them through answers to the city’s initial filings. Sought by the nebulous “city of Keene” through Mr. Mullins is a fifty-foot barrier between those who participate in Robin Hooding (or in Pete Eyre’s case, are somehow vaguely associated with Robin Hooding) and the city’s three parking enforcers.
Handed to the defendants by Mullins upon entry to the court was a new memorandum repeating the city’s position and dated June 11. Attached to the back of this new memorandum, which Judge John Kissinger asked not be considered before defendants have ample time to respond, was a faux-order from the court presumably penned by Mullins, which leaves a blank space for a signature if the court were to issue it.
During today’s hearing Judge Kissinger rightly asserted that at the full hearing, evidence would need to be brought forward supporting claims against each of the six individuals, prompting Mr. Mullins to allege that the defendants were not just “any group of individuals”, but a, “collective group”. Mr. Mullins reiterated his assertions that the intention of participants in Robin Hooding is the elimination of the city’s parking department by means of “harassing and intimidating” parking enforcement officers, which presumably constitutes a criminal act under NH RSA 642:1, Obstructing Government Operations. (more…)
Thanks to Jacqueline Palochko from the Keene Sentinel for live tweeting during the hearing today. Stay tuned here to Free Keene for a write-up, coverage by other media, and full video.
The episode that started it all, Pilotus, fills the 7:00pm time slot this week which is usually occupied by a brand new episode of AKPF #1. If you were longing for original content, fret not! AKPF #1 returns next week with the premiere of episode 06, followed by the freshly cut episode 07 the following week. In those episodes, you’ll hear about historic revelations by whistleblower Edward Snowden, get the latest from the Robin Hooding case in Cheshire court, and see updates from the streets as an ally of Robin Hood is attacked by an angry man bent on preventing the documentation of an environment at thirty frames per second. In the meantime, relive the simpler existence from which the AKPF emerged, in the classic premiere episode Pilotus.
