In the aftermath of a shocking video released February 8 portraying a tow truck driver threatening a Robin Hooder, videojournalist Dave Ridley has begun producing a series of videos covering the encounter and the responses that it has generated. Some detractors of Robin Hood and the Merry People shamelessly took to the internet to express solidarity with the rage-filled tow operator and expressed joy at the threats of violence aimed at videographer Graham Colson. Graham has since posted a blog trying to refocus the issue on opposing the use of threats and harassment. Unrelated tow companies in other states who share the same name as the employer of the driver in the original video have reportedly been receiving improperly directed complaints.
Anger against Free Keene grows to physically dangerous levels, but some opponents worth hearing, released 13 Feb 2014:
Thursday’s Keene Sentinel featured an update on the Robin Hood saga penned by Kyle Jarvis. The article overviews how the case is being prepped for presentation to the New Hampshire supreme court, where before being scheduled requires both parties to consider the possibility of mandatory mediation. The mediation process would involve a closed-door meeting between both parties to agree on a legal compromise. Mediation is certainly a fitting alternative to the courts for conflict resolution when a conflict exists, but as is uniquely the case in Keene, city officials can’t cite a single grievance against the Robin Hooders collectively beyond expressing a desire that they do not be in the proximity of or communicate with parking enforcers. For some individual Robin Hooders, no specific issues have been raised at all, and considering that Pete Eyre is still named in the suit when he has at no time been associated with Robin Hood of Keene demonstrates the indiscriminate nature of the city’s straw-grasping lawsuit. Early in the suit, the city requested the ability to add defendants to the case at will, but apparently ceased its hunt for the underground Robin Hooders after at least two individuals officially requested attachment to the suit and were denied, despite one presenting evidence of longtime participation in the activity.
While the ruling from judge John Kissinger was reasonable, a further contemplation of the case may have demonstrated the need for a less traditional ruling, which may have alleviated some of the issues that the legal department of “city of Keene” continues to press today. Though the judge never authorized “harassment and intimidation”, the ruling states only that the facts presented did not constitute any actionable activity. Yet the city’s attorney asserted this about the ruling: “The Order holds that the individual protesters have no duty to be reasonable in their actions and conduct directed toward public employees while doing their jobs … that the individual protesters are allowed to interfere, harass, and intimidate public employees while doing their jobs … (and) that the individual protesters may engage in inappropriate and unreasonable actions and conduct directed at public employees while doing their jobs.” Not only is it unkind to mischaracterize constitutionally protected speech as “harassment and intimidation,” but it is also a distortion of the actual text of the ruling. Perhaps mediation would have been most pertinent prior to the many hours spent in court, where it could have been cleared up ahead of time that Robin Hooders do not engage in harassment and intimidation. Of course, when myself I tried mediate with the city’s attorney prior to court, my camera was stolen for two months under the guise of “illegal wiretapping”. (more…)
Early last week I left a message for the owner of Emerson’s Towing, Emerson Sr., asking for an official statement on the incident. As of yet, I have not heard from him. It appears Emerson’s has again taken down their facebook page again, however their Yelp entry isn’t looking so hot in the reviews department as people comment nationwide. Will Emerson’s continue to avoid commenting on this situation?
The Keene Sentinel’s Kyle Jarvis reports on “the City” and their newfound desire to mediate with Robin Hood of Keene‘s merry men and women. Our attorney, Jon Meyer, responds that we’re not negotiating – the issues in the case are fundamental principles of freedom. They are not subject to negotiation:
Trying to settle a lawsuit out of court between the city of Keene and a group known as “Robin Hood of Keene” looks to be tough, that group’s attorney said this week.
The “Robin Hooders” fill expired parking meters before city parking enforcement officers can write tickets for the violations.
Last year, the city accused members of the group of harassing and intimidating the officers when they were performing their duties. It sought a 30-foot safety zone between the officers and activists. Keene officials also sought financial reimbursement because the officers weren’t able to perform their jobs properly; for counseling; and for costs because one of the officers quit and had to be replaced, the city said in a complaint.
Cheshire County Superior Court Judge John C. Kissinger Jr. dismissed the city’s complaints in December, citing free speech rights under the First Amendment.
City officials have appealed to the N.H. Supreme Court.
The court recommends resolution through mediation, according to Jon Meyer of Manchester, an attorney representing the Robin Hooders for free. But he’s skeptical that could be accomplished easily. (more…)
Gov. Maggie Hassan has vowed to veto legislation legalizing marijuana if it reaches her desk, but she admitted this week to first-hand knowledge of the substance.
During an interview on WMUR-TV’s Sunday morning “Close-Up” program, the governor was asked by host Josh McElveen whether she had ever tried marijuana.
“I was in college. I tried it,” she said. “But things have changed. The drug is much more potent now.” (more…)
In the aftermath of a shocking video released February 8 portraying a tow truck driver threatening a Robin Hooder, videojournalist Dave Ridley has begun producing a series of videos covering the encounter and the responses that it has generated. Some detractors of Robin Hood and the Merry People shamelessly took to the internet to express solidarity with the rage-filled tow operator and expressed joy at the threats of violence aimed at videographer Graham Colson. Graham has since posted a blog trying to refocus the issue on opposing the use of threats and harassment. Unrelated tow companies in other states who share the same name as the employer of the driver in the original video have reportedly been receiving improperly directed complaints.
![maggie_hassantransparent2a[1]](https://i0.wp.com/freekeene.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/maggie_hassantransparent2a1.png)
