For those that have been following CopBlock.org, you might remember that myself and eight others were arrested while protesting the Manchester (NH) police – after four of its officers were cleared of wrong doing in the Strange Brew incident. It took about 6 months, considerably shorter than ‘justice’ for others, and to no surprise the judge (this was a bench trial) ruled in favor of the state.
Refusing arguments that I was engaged in Free Speech and Peaceful Assembly – as protected by that worthless paper known as the Constitution (seriously, when is the state going to recycle that shit) – stating Free Speech does not allow me to damage property. Yet, at my trial I wasn’t allowed to ask witnesses if they thought, or had proof, of me damaging anything. In fact, I wasn’t allowed to say the word damage at all because that is a legal conclusion for the court – who? yeah the ‘court’- to decide.
Last week I blogged about camera bans and lack of accountability from those working inside Cheshire Co Superior. Included in that post was a video of several journalists who sought comment from a continually aggressive bailiff, B. Tebo, and others employed by the court. The media was present up to the last day of business before the holiday, and will again after the holiday.
The last day, December 23rd, Derrick and Ian were waiting for bailiffs and judges to come to work, in order to ask them a few questions. The weather was a bit harsh, compared to the past days, so the duo decided to stay in the car. That’s when Caleb came into work – he’s a sheriff – and threatened to tow the car for being parked in the judges spot. Even though no complaint had been filed, no judge was being kept from parking there or the fact that three other stalls were still open for judges. Either way, Derrick and Ian par took in a great copblock, check it out.
Several folks from Keene, NH (CopBlock.org) decided to pay the Keene Police a little visit on Friday, the day before Christmas Eve. Our, yes I was present as well, intention was to bring some Holiday cheer, with a message, to those at the Keene Police Station.
This holiday season I hope all those who are employed by tax dollars ask themselves one question, “If our job is so important why must the government force people to pay for it via taxation, whether they like the service being provided or not?” And if you come to the conclusion that individuals would pay you (voluntarily) to do what you do now, then quit your job and start your own business – without the government’s permission. Cause all I want for Christmas is a choice, something ALL police officers take from a person when they choose to work for Uncle Sam.
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.
Yesterday I was arraigned on three counts of felony wiretapping – click here to read about Pete’s and my year long fight on MA wiretapping charges. If convicted I face anywhere from 11.5 to 21 years in prison and up to $12,000 in fines. I say IF because the only way I’ll be convicted is if the state (the system itself) protects it’s own. The three people claiming that I wire tapped them are public officials, whom I recorded while acting in their “public” capacities, but we’ll get more into that as we approach trial. (more…)
