I’ve just gotten around to finalizing more videos from the NATO Summit in Chicago, and today I uploaded this short encounter from after our group’s second attempt to leave Boston. The third time proved to be a charm, and the whole story will be laid out in a cut of most of the footage I am currently working on.
In this video from May 18, a bicycle police officer on patrol around South Station picks out an individual and harangues him for being suspected of smoking herb before letting him return to the group. Police were only operating on smell and had no physical evidence, as this encounter demonstrates the difference between Massachusetts’ decriminalized cannabis status compared to other states, where this same encounter may have resulted in coerced searches or arrest. The second officer to appear on the scene says shortly before leaving, “It’s legal, but your still get a fine.”
The following video is of Will Hopkins, director of NH Peace Action, reading a statement before the Occupy New Hampshire general assembly on July 22, 2012.
Today was the second day in which Occupy New Hampshire’s recent division was covered with stories on the front page of the Concord Monitor. An in-depth article on last week’s separation was published on July 22, the date of the first GA since the split. (1, 2) At the GA, only one of the board members of the new Occupy New Hampshire corporation was present, and she apologized for having participated in the incorporation and announced that she would be removing herself from the board. An article published in today’s Monitor reports on the first GA since the split. (1, 2) Also published in Sunday’s Monitor was an editorial on the split by Occupier Theresa Earle. (1) (more…)
The first meeting of ONH, Arms Park, Manchester. 6 Oct 2011
I have been waiting to publish information regarding the status of Occupy New Hampshire as of the general assembly held on the state house lawn on July 15, 2012. Before I arrived at the scene, a clear division had formed and meetings were occurring between two separate camps. I noticed many familiar faces at the camp closest to where I had parked and began walking toward them with my camera rolling. Hearing what appeared by all indicators to be a productive discussion in progress, I set the camera down and tried to see who I could recognize in the farther crowd. Seeing both friends and strangers, I saw others in the movement whom I considered to be more failed politicians than impassioned grassroots organizers. Among the many who have come and gone over the span of ONH since its first GA on October 6, 2012, my observation would only place two or three individuals in this category. In all popular power struggles, it is these individuals who act upon opportunity to declare themselves the vanguard. Vanguardism in popular movements is dangerous in that it offers the revolutionary a sense of entitlement over the masses as had existed for the class which had been overthrown. If there comes to be a conflict over who truly represents the Occupy movement in New Hampshire, may we listen most cautiously to the loudest voices.
The individuals who seceded from the general assembly without engaging in any sort of consensus process are reportedly trying to retain the Occupy New Hampshire name by unknown means. There has been discussion of possible lawsuits pending against members of the group who did not participate in the ostracism campaign and secede from the main group. While I am still gathering information about what happened on Sunday and its consequences, information continues to be released by different parties. My raw footage from the inclusive circle (which welcomed all individuals) will be online by the end of the week. The seceding circle’s meeting was recorded through written notes and some still photography, but it is believed that no video exists. The meeting minutes, as taken by Katie Talbert, are the most complete public record of what occurred on the other side of the park.
Meanwhile, here’s a perspective from Rich Angell, a newcomer to the Occupy movement who describes himself as a periphery supporter from the beginning. Rich is from a more rural area of the state than most and has been involved with sustainable intentional communities since moving to New Hampshire for the Free State Project in 2007. He recalls the unwelcome reception that some gave him when he arrived.
Some accounts of the event with false information have been released, and there will be links to valid sources of information as well as corrections included in the post released with the full video.
Presenting three interviews with occupiers from across the nation at the Chicago NATO summit protests, the weekend of May 18.
Gregory Lucero of Occupy SLC. Gregory was interrogated in his home by the FBI one week before his trip East.
A Mystery Man from Manhattan, NY.
Zach Vorhies from Oakland was on the streets ready to film whatever may have occurred. With protection from sound attacks, poison gas, and blunt force, he even had the benefit of keeping both hands free with a helmet-mounted camera.
Earlier coverage of the Chicago NATO protests from Free Concord available here.
While many porcupines were occupied in the northern nether-reaches of the state at the 2012 Porcupine Freedom Festival, the collective trial of the five arrested and over a dozen cited for curfew violations at the eviction of the Occupy New Hampshire encampment occured in Manchester on June 22. Like the Chalking 8 trials, there is no ruling at this point as Judge William Lyons issued homework to the defense and prosecution requesting essays in support of their respective positions. Arnie Alpert, who was present for the eviction as well as the trial reports from his blog, Inzane Times. Readers of Free Concord may recognize some familiar faces among the photos published on the Inzane Times blog.
I’ve just gotten around to finalizing more videos from the NATO Summit in Chicago, and today I uploaded this short encounter from after our group’s second attempt to leave Boston. The third time proved to be a charm, and the whole story will be laid out in a cut of most of the footage I am currently working on.
While many porcupines were occupied in the northern nether-reaches of the state at the 2012 
