I had a weird experience while filming Robin Hood in Keene today. I was in the middle of recording when an angry man approached me, offered his opinions into my camera, and then threatened to destroy it. He stole the camera from my hands, and suddenly a man appears. Watch what happens next:
Click “Read More” to see the license plate of the car from which this angry man came:
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.
On June 11th, Free Concord posted to FreeKeene.com, City Fails to Obtain Preliminary Injuction Against Robin Hooders + Full Court Video. This follow-up post includes shorter version of the video captured at the hearing. Much thanks to Darryl Perry for recording (despite an unprovoked and unnecessary verbal lashing from bailiffs early-on), to Ian Freeman for uploading for all to see, and to all who came out in support.
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.
Here’s the text of the Union Leader piece: (more…)
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.
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