As I’d said in my last blog from jail, I wanted to wait until I was released to tell the stories of some of the people I met in jail, both prisoners and guards. As you might expect, the jail is full of people who are peaceful and have not harmed other human beings. Many of the guards realize that they are caging good people, the superintendent is a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, and the jail kitchen staff is also open minded.
Names will not be used here to protect the innocent. Besides, the jail is full of people like the ones you’ll hear about, at any given time of the year.
“Honey, I’m home!”, yells one prisoner as the jail guards walk him into the dayroom. Welcome to R block in the Cheshire “House of Corrections”, or as some like to call it, the “Keene Spiritual Retreat”. Many of these guys have been here before and they recognize the gentleman who has just entered the block. This happens all the time. It’s not because they are career criminals, it’s usually because of “Violation of Probation”. (more…)
Tonight is the big meeting at city hall about Central Square. The public will be allowed to speak and it begins at 6:30pm. The Keene Sentinel has details on the many proposals that will likely be on the table.
You can expect the local authoritarians to be in attendance. Will the ideas of liberty be present and well-communicated? Will roots be struck and paradigms challenged? Be there and advocate peaceful, consensual solutions to social problems.
Hopefully, Juggalos will be there to show that they are not a group and are individuals who differ, just like liberty activists.
In his latest episode of More Politically Alert, State Representative Steve Vaillancourt (R – Manchester), a libertarian opponent of Occupy NH, debates State Representative Seth Cohn (R – Canterbury), a libertarian member of Occupy NH. The discussion starts at around 10:45.
Vaillancourt, prolific media producer that he is, has also posted a blog about his experience at the redistricting committee hearing in Keene last Tuesday: Joy And Sorrow On The Redistricting Front. (See earlier Free Keene coverage.) Fun fact: I’ve never understood the appeal of the B-52’s.
Several activists gathered from 11a-1:30p today in front of the Main St. Bank of America to encourage people to close out their BoA accounts and open accounts at more local banks or credit unions. Hundreds of fliers were distributed, signs held, and songs sung. As Tully reports from his blog – it was more than just a protest – it was an effective day of outreach. He confirmed both by talking to people and calling local credit unions at the end of the day:
One customer, a young man who appeared to be in his late twenties, excitedly responded to us, “I just did it! I just opened up an account at the credit union, and I closed my Bank of America account!”
Indeed, he wasn’t alone: a phone interview with the Cheshire County Federal Credit Union by your blogger confirmed that several people came in today to open new accounts, and self-identified as those leaving the Bank of America.
Also, Keene’s first overnight occupier, Craig Dallas Rice created and performed “The Occupy Song”, which resulted in a singing session out in front of the Bank of America:
What will happen next? Stay tuned here to find out, or better yet, drop into the Occupy Keene facebook page and discussion group.
Here’s the facebook announcement as it appears on the Occupy Keene discussion group from Tuathal Thomas Fitzsimmons:
I am planning a leafleting/protest on the sidealks in front of and along side the Bank of America (Central Square and Washington Street), this Friday, October 21, from 11:00 to 2:00 pm (3:00 if you can stay). I will have plenty of flyers: one side will identify the fraudulent and rapacious actvities of the Bank of America specifically; the other will be more positive promotion of Move Your Money day on November 5, along with the ‘whys’ of credit unions, and the stpes depositiors need to take NOW to be ready to close their accounts by the 5th. Signs would be GREAT….simple and to the point: “MOVE YOUR MONEY!,” and/or “BOA: BAILOUTS, FRAUD, FORECLOSURES & FEES,” “SUPPORT CREDIT UNIONS, NOT BANKSTERS.” Just join me there…I’ll be ready!
Today was a major activism day in Keene as over 100 gathered at Railroad Square and after a meeting walked down to Central Square. During the walk, traffic was blocked for a few minutes (a tactic with which I don’t agree).
The occupation began at 12:15pm and was still active late this afternoon. A hardcore contingent of activists seems committed to camping out on the ground that is supposedly “public”. Will the aggressors called “the city of Keene” make a move against the peaceful demonstrators on the first night? Only time will tell.
Stay tuned here for more, but for the latest, drop into the Occupy Keene facebook page and discussion group. (more…)
Here’s the facebook announcement as it appears on the 
