by JJ Epic | Oct 6, 2009 |
Click here for the .pdf with pictures
Keene, the Peaceful Civil-Disobedience Apex
James B Schlessinger Jr.
October 5th, 2009
Words on paper are not stopping activists and locals from living like free people in Keene, New Hampshire. Whether it is marijuana consumption on the Commons or a young woman going topless on Main Street, Keene has become the place to challenge unjust, immoral, and simply foolish laws. This has naturally rankled many state and local civil servants. The Keene City Council voted against sending a resolution to the state house begging for marijuana decriminalization legislation–instead individuals on the council were encouraged to send a personal message. The Keene Police Department has shown both professionalism in its dealings with the 420 events and violence though Police Prosecutor Sergeant Eliezer Rivera.
April 13, 2009, was the day that David Ridley, of Grafton, was to be arraigned for videotaping in the second-floor lobby of the Keene City Hall. Sam Dodson was arrested on that date, while videotaping there; his charges changed several times over the following months.
(more…)
by Ian | Oct 5, 2009 |
Thanks to Phil Bantz for this article about the Keene police’s position on the cannabis celebrations at 4:20 everyday in Central Square. While KPD is doing the right thing and ignoring the peaceful people gathering daily and toking up, it’s amusing to listen to them attempt to explain that they are serious about cannabis use and would be arresting people if they could only just determine that laws were being broken. Maybe someday they’ll actually admit that what they have been doing in the name of some arbitrary words on paper has been WRONG, and they are sorry.
Until then, leaving peaceful people alone will suffice. Here’s the story:
The marijuana protesters in downtown Keene are getting high on publicity, while city police have adopted a wait-and-see strategy.
Every afternoon for the past week, protesters have gathered at Central Square to promote the decriminalization of marijuana. They upped the ante Sunday by showing up at the Keene Police Department lobby, where they cheered and smoked.
No protesters were arrested during the demonstration at the police station. So far, just one protester has been arrested and charged with marijuana possession. (more…)
by JJ Epic | Sep 24, 2009 |
The announced cannabis smoking event went as planned with no intervention from the state. As many as a hundred people showed up at Central Square in Keene to live as free men and women. Many cameras and cigarettes were seen in hands of an upbeat crowd of people. The smell of marijuana wafted in the air for a few moments here and there as I passed through the throng.
In between fits of laughter and cheering, people were heard pointing out the Keene Police cruisers circling the center. Officers did not step upon the center but instead stayed on the street and were seen talking with activists and locals; no arrests were made or summons handed out. Reporters were on hand from both the Union Leader and the Keene Sentinel as well as a video crew from the Obscured Truth Network.
This event is scheduled to take place everyday at 4:20pm.
by JJ Epic | Jul 31, 2009 |
At Keene District court today Patrick Shields, a resident of Keene, was put on trial by the State for charges stemming from the April 13th Court Lobby incident. At the start of the trial Patrick was informed that the Disorderly Conduct charge was being dropped leaving only the Resisting Arrest charge on the docket.
The trial was very similar to the two held on Monday, July 27 where David Krouse and Nick Ryder faced charges of Disorderly Conduct from the same incident. Police Prosecutor Eli Rivera provided the State’s Testimony, repeating the same statements heard Monday. Mr. Shields’ argument focused on the fact that Officer Rivera, the arresting officer per the summons, had no physical contact with Mr. Shields and because of this there was nothing to resist as far as a physical arrest.
Patrick also testified that his thought process at the time, given the situation, provided him with one moral option. He chose to attain a purely passive state and not interact with the Officers.
Judge Edward Burke first congratulated Mr. Shields on his preparation for the trial and then found him guilty. The punishment handed down was a $1000 fine – suspended. Should Patrick be convicted of a Class B or greater misdemeanor or a felony within the next year he will have to pay the fine or serve roughly 20 days in jail.
by JJ Epic | Jul 29, 2009 |
The Current issue of the Free Keene Press
In this issue:
Hope for the Chapel
A local chapel asks for help and the community responds loudly.
Keene Court Drama
3 local activists have trials at the Keene District Court.
Blog Brief
Announcing the Keene Police Scanner Feed!
Celebrating One Year of Continuous, Successful FIJA Outreach
Also
Coming changes to the Keene Free Press include expanding the number of pages and coverage. I am looking at opening up the paper to local reporters and photographers. My idea at the beginning was to establish a more “open source” media resource allowing individuals in the liberty community and community-at-large a voice. So send me an email at press@ freekeene. com . I am also looking for people who would be willing to take assignments.
Thanks,
JJ
