If you’ve been reading this blog for the last year-or-so, you probably know I and other activists were arrested at a city council meeting last year for playing a drinking game, quietly, with brown bottles mostly filled with water.
Over a year post-the-arrests, they dropped my charges – a tacit admission that the arrests were wrongful. Rather than do as many have suggested and sue, I merely asked, in writing, for an apology. I didn’t expect one, but I did get an amusing refusal letter from the city attorney, which I will share with you below.
The people calling themselves “the city of Keene” have an attorney on staff named Thom Mullins. Thom told me prior to receiving this letter that they wouldn’t apologize because according to him, even though I couldn’t be prosecuted for anything didn’t mean I should have been allowed to stay in their meeting. My real crime all along had been to not take them seriously. The government people can’t have us little people poking fun at them (even if silently) in creative ways. Had we stood in there with signs, we’d have been alright, because people have always done that sort of protest over the years. Drinking in unison from brown bottles however? They see it as a slap to the precious legitimacy of their system. (more…)
When my application for a concealed carry license was denied by the Keene PD last week, I went to the police station to have a conversation with Mr. Goodman, the man who sent the denial notice. I was told that he was away, and that my only available option is to appeal the decision. I filed for an appeal, which resulted in the scheduling of a hearing. Today I had that hearing.
I was prepared with questions for Mr. Goodman, copies of all relevant documents, my finest suit: I was sharp and ready for justice. When will I learn?
The hearing lasted all of 2 minutes. Judge Burke called my name, looked over some documents, and told me that I had filed the wrong piece of magic paper. I had filed an appeal. What I needed to do, he said, was file a motion with the court and the police department to drop my bail conditions regarding possession of a firearm or ammunition. That will result in another hearing where the man in the robe will consider dropping the bail conditions he allegedly imposed on me. Then, if I am successful in getting my bail conditions regarding firearms lifted, I could file the appeal for which I came today.
Wow. I was shocked. Judge Burke apparently had a copy of some bail conditions of which I wasn’t aware? How had I not receieved a copy? Why didn’t I receive a copy in court today, if the Judge had one? Why am I, a peaceful person, being denied the natural right to choose how to defend myself? Is this really how the system works, or am I being given the runaround?
I asked if, in the interest of justice, we could just handle that issue immediately rather than waste the time of filing paperwork and rescheduling another hearing weeks away. Denied. God forbid a murderer is looking for me and I need to defend myself in the meantime. A stranger who is unrelated to me and wears a dress and whom I do not respect is making threats to me if I exercise my right to carry a gun to defend myself.
This is how the agents of the state treat me, a peaceful person who hasn’t hurt anybody, but who has been the victim of endless state aggression and threats of abducting and caging.
Jason Talley of Talley.TV recorded the hearing and the video will be posted to FreeKeene within 24 hours.
Unfortunately no video exists of the incident due to oppressive camera restrictions at Cheshire “superior” court, but this afternoon before my trial on open records access could begin, two arrests were made in the courtroom. Jason Talley of Talley.TV (and FK blogger) and Kelly Voluntaryist James were both cuffed and removed. Talley was dragged by the handcuffs out of the room, yelling in pain. All of this because when the robed man entered, about eight activists refused to stand, as always happens in any court we visit. However the robed man in this case is perhaps the most power-mad one in all of NH, John P. Arnold, who despite retiring is still a “Senior judge”, which means he can be brought back anytime. The bailiffs threatened the activists upon their remaining seated and demanded they stand or leave. No one did either, so they began targeting people separately. Eventually, most got up, and Talley was in the process of leaving when they arrested him and then Kelly, who stayed seated in protest of Talley’s arrest.
Later, the two were brought in for a “right of alocution” and were released with holiday wishes from Arnold. No, seriously. He actually told them “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays”. He also lectured them about having more respect for the court. He claimed that he wasn’t personally offended at their staying seated, but that it’s disrespectful to the process. After he left, out-of-control court security agent Bob Tebo tried to lecture me about respect, and I informed him that one must earn respect and that one doesn’t earn respect in my book by threatening and caging peaceful people.
For a full description and discussion of today’s events, please listen to tonight’s Free Talk Live – we spend most of the last 2/3s of the show discussing it.
The video, by YouTube.com/StormCloudsGathering, presents a principled, consistent, strike-the-root message: It’s not text or orders but individuals that are responsible for actions.
Derrick J. fights Keene Police Department‘s illegal denial of his conceal-carry licence application (8:29A), Mitt Romney makes an appearance (with the Shire Choir) at The Stage Restaurant & Cafe in Keene (8:30A), Beau goes to Cheshire County Superior Court (9A), then Ian‘s hearing re: the footage of Tom Ball’s self-immolation at Keene District (2P) or another Shire Choir performance at Newt Gingrich’s appearance at the Radisson in Manchester (also at 2P).
Catch Nemi on Free Talk Live with Ian Freman and Mark Edge at 7PM EST to get a wrap up of the days events. Nemi will be reporting on Beau’s trial for the Shire Free Press and I’ll be covering Derrick’s case against the city of Keene.
If you attend court or sing in the Shire Choir, and can verify it, you may be able to receive points towards gear like cameras, tees and hoodies if you qualify as a Fr33 Agent. Tag your activism with #Fr33 and #OccupyCourts at Fr33Agents.com.
Should NH courts be open and accessible or will they remain censored?
Censorship, even if done for the best of intentions, subsumes the initiation of force – something experienced by individuals seeking transparency at Keene district court and Cheshire Co. superior court. On Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 at the NH supreme court the “rules committee” took comment to determine whether they will “allow” you and me to film their actions.
Today the news has circulated around the world that Kim Jong-Il, ruler of what is considered the most closed nation in the world, North Korea, has died from a reported heart attack. Through social media, many who haven’t seen headlines of the flamboyant dictator’s demise receive the news via the many friends discussing it on their facebook news feed.
Outside of Kim Jong-Il’s inner circle, the first people to hear word of his death were the millions of subjects of North Korea, who saw this report from a distraught anchor on the State’s official news network.
If you’ve been reading this blog for the last year-or-so, you probably know I and other activists were arrested at a city council meeting last year for playing a drinking game, quietly, with brown bottles mostly filled with water.
Unfortunately no video exists of the incident due to oppressive camera restrictions at Cheshire “superior” court, but this afternoon before my trial on open records access could begin, two arrests were made in the courtroom. Jason Talley of 
