This just in from KPD’s Sgt. Eli Rivera: He is dropping the unlawful assembly charges against Toby and I! Here’s some speculation as to why. Perhaps they realized they had no case. The regulations clearly state that permits are only for those that intend to exclusively use certain “public facilities” like electricity for a specified period of time in a specific location. Therefore, even under their own rules (and ignoring the pesky Constitution, of course) it’s quite clear that simply assembling in a public place does not require a permit.
Perhaps another reason they decided against it was because they felt as though too many activists might come out and refuse to stand for “justice” Burke in protest of his recent crackdown on courtroom sitters. (more…)
If you have been following the freedom couch situation, you may be interested in the following information. First is “justice” Burke’s explanation for his triple contempt of court ruling against me, called an “ORDER ON DEFENDANT’S CONTEMPT” (.PDF) Second, is his “FURTHER ORDER ON CONTEMPT: FINE PAYMENT ORDER” (.PDF). Despite the fact that I just spent the weekend in jail, which was originally supposed to be in lieu of fine payment, he still demands payment of a $120 fine or 10 hours community service. I have decided that the final card I’m going to play in all of this is to make one last offer. I will offer to pay $240 to the Keene Community Kitchen if Burke’s agency will accept that as satisfaction of the fine payment. Will he be feeling charitable? I’ll let you know what he decides.
Finally, here is audio from the majority of the behind-closed-doors trial that was forced upon me. Sorry I didn’t get the entire thing. I began the recording as the couch enforcer/prosecutor was testifying. By this point, Burke had already slapped me with a second 30 day sentence for “contempt of court” for refusing to answer a question about my “legal name”.
Thank you again to everyone who supported me in so many different ways! To those who would critique me saying I didn’t go far enough for their liking, to them I say, “I look forward to your arrival here in New Hampshire so you can show us how it’s done.” I’d say the same to those complaining I should have picked a better battle. (Of course, I didn’t pick this, the government people did, but I digress.)
I forgive you. You probably never realized, perhaps until now, that government hurts people. I do not know you, but from listening to what you’ve said on the radio and reading about you on the Internet, I imagine that like many people, you believe that government is a handy tool you can use to make life better for people. While your intentions may be pure, the method is not. Government is force. Were you oblivious to that fact? After all, you are one of the people calling themselves part of the “City of Keene”, so whether you knew or not, that’s the tool you advocate. I’m guessing you didn’t know, as you did say on 08/09/08’s “Talkback”:
“I wouldn’t advise aggressing against anybody.”
I really appreciated when you said that! I think people working together voluntarily is a great thing. However, threatening people with violence is not a nice way to build a community with mutual respect. Based on your statement on Talkback, I thought you understood that. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it was you who snitched me out to the “code enforcers” over my tenants’ couch. You said you wouldn’t advise aggressing against your neighbor, then the very same week you initiated aggression against me! (more…)
AnarchoJesse protested all states yesterday by burning the American flag along with the United Nations and New Hampshire flags in Central Square. Here’s what he said about his motivation when announcing the event. Here’s video of the burns:
If you’ve been following this blog within the past few months, you’re well aware of the situation wherein the people calling themselves the “City of Keene” have been threatening me over a couch in my tenants yard. In case you need to catch up, here are the two most recent posts on the issue prior to this one: post 1, post 2. The current situation is that they are demanding I come to their “trial” about this issue on November 14th at 1:30 PM in Keene “district court”.
“Why don’t you just move the couch?”, you might ask. The answer is it’s my tenants’ lawn, they utilize the couch for Halloween decorations, in the other seasons of the year it’s relatively unobtrusive, plus no one has ever complained, until recently. The people calling themselves the “city” claim that there is a complainant who lives down the street, however this person allegedly refuses to meet me and talk to me like an adult. Instead, the alleged neighbor calls the Blue Light Gang to try to intimidate me into disposing of the couch. (more…)
For the latest on my meeting with Keene’s head “enforcer”, please listen to last night’s Free Talk Live. The discussion starts at about 74 minutes into the show.
This just in from KPD’s Sgt. Eli Rivera: He is dropping the unlawful assembly charges against Toby and I! Here’s some speculation as to why. Perhaps they realized they had no case. The regulations clearly state that permits are only for those that intend to exclusively use certain “public facilities” like electricity for a specified period of time in a specific location. Therefore, even under their own rules (and ignoring the pesky Constitution, of course) it’s quite clear that simply assembling in a public place does not require a permit.
Dear Mikaela,
If you’ve been following this blog within the past few months, you’re well aware of the situation wherein the people calling themselves the “City of Keene” have been threatening me over a couch in my tenants yard. In case you need to catch up, here are the two most recent posts on the issue prior to this one: 
