Since my arrest for “improper influence” I’ve been focused on getting back the footage taken from me and preparing for my probable cause hearing this Thursday. Despite the holiday weekend and usual bureaucratic trickery I was able to retrieve my footage today. I think three things played in a role in the success of this. One was the fact that I remained persistent with those holding the footage, often asking them to watch it themselves. The second reason was that I willingly signed a consent form allowing the police to access the footage. Meaning I didn’t have to wait for a search warrant or court hearing before this took place. Finally, I think those who did watch the footage know that (judge) Burke abused his power when he ordered me arrested and, may have, felt bad for me – for once. One officer even commented to me, during a jail visit, that, “You (Me – Ademo) shouldn’t be here.”
The City of Keene’s War on Hats on continues and Judge Burke is making you (the taxpayers) pay for what he claims is ‘disrespect.’
This morning, while attending the court proceedings of other activists, Beau Davis was arrested for wearing a hat. This past January James Cemorelis and Matt Griffin, both who are employed by the Keene Police Department – with help from Peter Macy (Keene Bailiff), physically assaulted Pete Eyre for wearing a hat. Those charges, issued by police, were later dropped by the District Attorney’s office.
Over the past several weeks I have been working to create a local TV news show on Cheshire TV, the Keene based cable-access station. Several activists and myself have been working to learn all the roles and responsibilities required to put on a quality programing. Many of the key roles are filled though I am open to more people coming on board as well as finding alternates so the principles can have a week off at times.
The vision I have for Free Keene TV is one of a polished and professional news broadcast. The show ought to be flexible and capable of being altered to spend more time on important topics with news being the priority. The show ought to also offer a variety of topics and cover a wide swath of community concerns.
Currently, I am working on creating polished graphics and audio components to increase the production quality. We have spent considerable time working on getting the lighting to meet a certain standard as well. The show is scripted entirely including the anchor reading from a teleprompter, the only exception being interviews and freestyle punditry.
I have more openings for all types of roles and if you are interesting in helping either in front of or behind the camera, send me a message through the forum, facebook or shoot me an email at jjschless @ yahoo.com.
While buying tobacco last week at the Corner News (on main st in Keene) I had a pleasant conversation with the owner, Roberta Mastrogiovanni, about her store and the ‘free staters’ within Keene. I asked if she’d be interested in selling CopBlock.org and LibertyOnTour.com shirts? She stated she wasn’t interested in the ‘message’ but if it made business sense, she’d entertain the idea.
This morning I went down to the store to show Roberta the T-shirts and to provide a better background on each site. After a brief conversation she decided to give them a try. (*Please note that Corner News takes no position on the goal, missions or tactics used by CopBlock.org and/or LibertyOnTour.com, this is purely a business decision.*)
I’d like to thank Roberta and Corner News for displaying our swag and look forward to continuing our professional (not to mention voluntary) business arrangement.
If you’d like a CopBlock.org or LibertyOnTour.com shirt head down to Corner News, you can find their hours and more on their Facebook page. If you’re not in Keene but would like a shirt, please visit CopBlock.org or LibertyOnTour.com’s Support pages.
Evan, the Emperor of Free Grafton, has been in custody since last Monday when he dared to wear a paper hat in front of a man, who just so happened to be wearing a dress (makes sense right?). After that encounter armed men in costumes (aka – police) put personal information and/or finger prints into a computer, where another ‘sister’ organization (Keene District Court) to theirs claimed Evan owed $384 to them. (NOTE: No proof of contract, evidence of damage to property or a victim has never been presented to the Emperor.)
The most upsetting part of this is that Evan is being held in segregation. Which is a single cell, about 6′ x 8′, that you spend 23 hours a day in. When asked why Evan was being held in segregation Rick Van Wickler, superintendent of the Cheshire Co Jail, reportedly stated that ‘his’ policy is to hold those who refuse to pay the fine in segregation – see this FB thread.
Nevertheless, the Emperor is supposed to be released this Wednesday at 7:06 am after spending 8 days on lockdown – something that cost taxpayers approximately $1,000 – bravo guberment. To celebrate his release I’ll be taking the Emperor out to breakfast and hope you join us- details here.
If you have time to get up to the jail before Wednesday please do so, I know it’s one day before his release but it’d be great to make it fly by for Evan with a bunch of visits, plus it will get him out of his cell for more than just one hour.
Evan also wanted me to thank everyone for the support, he’s gotten several post cards from Mail To Jail. Thanks 🙂
