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.
This past Friday Pete Eyre, fellow CopBlocker and FreeKeene.com blogger, and I went to Plymouth State University to cover the gun protest put on by former police officer, Brad Jardis. While there I spotted an individual who seemed a bit out of place. Turns out he was an undercover police officer.
Pete also interviewed several cops present about the double standard they were displaying by carrying firearms to protect people but using those same guns against someone who decided to do the same. Below is that video:
There’s been a back and forth going on in the Keene court system. The state pushes activists (with aggression) and the activists push back (peacefully). The activists were doing rather well until the courts BANNED cameras from the buildings/courtrooms. Since then several acts of violence haven’t made YouTube but I thought that changed when the 1st District Court of Appeals ruled on Gilk v. Commonwealth of MA.
That ruling states that ALL PUBLIC OFFICIALS can be filmed while in the course of their duties, in public space. So I decided to head down to Superior Court in Keene, NH to notify the bailiff’s there of the ruling. My goal was to get them to understand that taking people’s cameras at the gate is now illegal, no matter what the judge’s ruling on the wall says (the 1st district court of appeals overrides it).
This is how it went…
After the video ended I went back into the building gave the ruling to a sheriff and said, “the next time I come here you’ll have a choice to make and I will sue you if you arrest me. The choice is yours.” I’m not sure when I’ll be back in Keene but when I am, I’ll be stopping by the courthouse with several cameras.
Lastweek I was arrested for “improperly influencing” a ‘judge.’ Yesterday, I released this video showing everyone exactly what happend and today, the district attorney – Chris McLaughlin – non processed the charges. Above is an update I captured shortly after hearing the news.
For those that live in Keene and think Burke abused his power, or broke a law, please call Chris McLaughlin – 603.357.9815 or John Webb – 603.352.0056, tell them to press charges on Burke (for abuse of power, false arrest or any of the other laws anyone else would be arrested for).
Thanks again to all those who helped me while under arrest, in jail and afterwards on court papers.
As an activist, I try to support as many other activists as possible. So when I heard about Bob Constantine trial in Grafton County I did all I could to attend (pulling an all nighter the night before the trial). I thought the day would be boring as most court proceedings are but that wasn’t the case this time.
Right away we were told about a double security check and a ban of cameras from the courtroom. It didn’t take long for the activists to start asking questions and pushing the limits of these tyrannical rules. As seen in the video below Ian Freeman, fellow blogger here, did his best to get electronics into the courtroom, yet, was threatened with arrest if he didn’t leave.
What do you think? Should cameras ever be banned from a public building? If I have to pay for it shouldn’t I be allowed to record the actions that take place in such a place? Should undercover officers be protected? Aren’t they public servants? Do real public servants need to hide their face? Is this the world you want your children growing up in?
