My girlfriend is graduating from the New School next month and will be performing music that she composed during her senior recital. I suppose I’ll find out more information today which will determine if I’ll be able to make Hannah’s performance or if the State of New Hampshire will correct me for attempting a little transparency in a government building.
Not wanting to assist these State Agents in my own kidnapping I dropped it like it’s hot.
Reminder: the State’s trial against me is Monday Morning at 9AM following a “We Will Record” Rally on at 7:50AM.
On Friday, September 23rd 2011 at around 8:30 AM I walked inside the Cheshire County Superior Court building and was attacked by two men employed by the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Department. My mission that morning was to record a hearing that was to take place at the court at 9AM. As part of my efforts to bring transparency to government, I often record inside government buildings. I find it especially important to focus my reporting on the judicial branch, which Supreme Court Justice Robert J. Lynn says is the “least understood branch of government.” No wonder if members of the press are made to feel unwelcome, or in my case unsafe.
It was my intention that morning to report on the goings-on of the court. Attempting to obey one of the court’s arbitrary rules, I approached the clerk of the court’s window to expeditiously file a motion so I could record the upcoming hearing. Unfortunately, before I could make it to the clerk’s window two men put their hands on me. They pushed me into a corner, placed me in handcuffs, and dragged me across the floor, all because I was in possession of a camera. Apparently freedom of the press doesn’t apply to Cheshire County Courts because of their unprecedented ban on all recording devices. Notably, though, State-owned cameras are not prohibited. The same camera that i’ve worn inside
At some point while the two men were stripping me of my freedom, I called out to the empty court clerk’s window, requesting a form that would grant me permission to record the hearing. No answer. After my hands were securely cuffed, I dropped to my knees and sat down, resolute to not provide any assistance to these strangers in their unlawful crackdown on cameras and violence against a member of the free press. It was clear to me that they were in the wrong; they were the criminals – not me.
I was in a great deal of pain as the man employed by the Sheriff dragged me across the floor by the handcuffs behind my back. But more pain and humiliation was ahead as the stranger and I descended a floor to the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Department.
I just got off the phone with a Sargent at the Cheshire County Jail, and he informed me that Jason has processed! I’m very happy to hear this because it means he will not have to sleep on a cold slab of concrete and do his business in front of all the guards. It also means he will get to mingle with Ian Freeman, who is also doing time in the Cheshire County Jail. The Sargent told me he will be classified next week, probably on Tuesday.
Jason is being charged with “common law criminal contempt” and last I heard his arraignment is scheduled for Monday at the Superior Court in Keene, NH. I tried calling the court yesterday and today to get confirmation about his arrest and arraignment, but I assume no one will return my calls until Monday when they reopen.
As of now the only way to get in contact with Jason is to write to him:
Jason Talley
Cheshire County D.O.C.
825 Marlboro Road
Keene, NH 03431
Here is the number for the Cheshire County Jail in Marlboro, NH: (603) 903-1600
And here is the number for Cheshire County Superior Court in Keene, NH: (603) 352-6902
I was just informed that Jason is being held in a cage until his arraignment on Monday morning. Apparently he is refusing to process. Kate Ager from FreeKeene.com announced that there will be video taken at his arraignment, which I will repost here as soon as it becomes available.
Again, here is the number for the Superior Courthouse in Keene, NH if you want to get more details or just give them a piece of your mind: (603) 352-6902
And here is the number for the jail: (603) 903-1600
I just learned that Jason Talley was arrested this morning at the Superior Courthouse in Keene, NH. The reason for his arrest is unclear, but Kate Ager provides us with some details at FreeKeene.com:
This morning (September 23, 2011) around 8:40 AM, Jason Talley, Cecelia, and I went to the Superior Courthouse in Keene for Ian Freeman’s habeas corpus hearing scheduled for 9:00 AM. At the ‘security’ checkpoint, Jason checked his bag of recording equipment in exchange for a receipt. He then walked through the metal detector and was immediately questioned about the device attached to his belt. Jason replied, “That’s my personal camera,” then expressed that he was walking to the window a few feet away to fill out a form asking permission to film the proceedings upstairs.
As Jason approached the window, the bailiffs began touching him. At first it appeared that the bailiffs were patting down his pockets, but they then attempted to steal his camera from his belt. Jason held onto his property while the bailiffs were grasping his wrists, very tightly it appeared, and trying to pull his hands away from the camera. Jason was told he was under arrest and put into handcuffs. Although he did not resist, Jason did not assist the bailiffs in his kidnapping. One of the bailiffs grabbed onto the handcuffs, in the center, and dragged Jason, backwards, into the elevator.
The bailiff, when questioned, stated that Jason was going to be seen in Keene District Court on two misdemeanor charges, including resisting arrest. He would not state the specific charge for which Jason was arrested, only that it was in relation to walking through security with a recording device. Cecelia and I went to the Keene District Court to inquire about when Jason would be seen by the judge, but the clerk was not able to provide any information.
At the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Department (located in the Superior Courthouse), we were informed that Jason would be seen by a judge this afternoon. We then spoke with the County Attorney and learned that Jason will be seen “sometime after 1:30 PM” this afternoon at the Superior Courthouse.
I’ll keep posting updates as I learn more. If you’d like to call the courthouse, you can do so at this number: (603) 352-6902. I’m pretty sure Jason was not planning to get arrested this morning, but you never know what’s going to happen when you live your life like a free person.
KEENE – A peaceful and fun evening for the Keene community devolved into chaos when law enforcers, employed by the city of Keene, showed up to make threats and eventually kidnapped three people, Ryan Maddox, Roz and Derrick Freeman.
I was in Central Square to dance but instead my evening was spent livestreaming the violence that is unfortunately becoming more commonplace with militant law enforcers “just doing their jobs.” I was able to broadcast the following seven video playlist live:
Police interrupted the celebration in Central Square at around 10:15. According to Jason Repsher, “The music had only been playing for a minute and it wasn’t very loud.” [Video: Live Free or Dance Begins Peacefully] Keene native Jacqueline Lemieux commented on a Keene law enforcer’s claim that ”a citizen complained” about the noise:
That is a flat out lie. The music had just been turned on and I was walking in front of The Stage and over towards the common and was not able to hear any music at all until I arrived a few feet from the gazebo. KPD is quickly developing a habit of lying and abusing its public and I will not stand for it!
Jason Repsher stated in the description of the video he recorded (below) that:
The cops make up a story that they were called because of a complaint and the cops insist on permits and licensing in order to play music in the park. The cops wanted someone to claim the equipment so they could check ID.
Repsher continues:
The cops knew it wasn’t his, but apparently the kid had gotten into trouble earlier in the night and they wanted a reason to arrest this kid. After the kid was arrested and hauled off, the cops proceed to take it upon themselves to seize the equipment. At which point, Derrick Freeman, Ryan Maddox and Roz get arrested in the attempt to prevent the property from being stolen by the Keene PD (for holding onto the property while the cops pry it away). After Derrick Freeman is handcuffed one of the officers maces and puts him in the patrol car. In the video you can see the officer shake his pepper spray at which point two officers come over and attempt to block my video.
When you watch the above video take note of how at least two law enforcers shine their flashlights at cameras just before Derrick gets maced. It seems obvious that they were attempting to censor the recording of their violent colleague. It’s unknown if this technique is taught during their training, is department policy or just the actions of two law enforcers who want to hide their aggressive actions from the public.
Another witness, Nick Ryder, posted the following on the Free Keene Forum along with his video:
1. Police show up on a noise complaint and inform people to tear down the lights, speakers, etc and not use city power.
2. Police ask who owns the equipment. Nobody answers.
3. After a while, random other guy (non-activist) claims to own them. He is arrested.
4. Police come to confiscate said equipment under the baseless claim that random guy owns it.
5. Derrick contests the claim, saying he owns it, and does not let the police take it.
All three were eventually released after many hours in solitary confinement. There are reports that Derrick was able to continue the dance party at the Cheshire County House of Corrections for four hours. He was able to eventually able to return home to shower out the mace before going to work. Stay tuned for more information about future court dates and danceobedience.
Photos used in this post were taken by James Schmill of Dooms-Day-Device.com.
No Victim No Crime
When Kate Ager stumbled upon a pro-police accountability rally in Manchester she didn’t expect to get arrested. Nevertheless, three armed law enforcers employed by the Manchester Police Department put their hands on her and forced Kate to the ground. Her cry to “Get the fuck off of me!” was ignored by the men who act as if their badges grant them extra rights (see CopBlock.org/Chalk). Because she was standing on the sidewalk that had been chalked earlier in the day the law enforcers had ordered her to move. 30 seconds later she was being forced inside the Manchester Police Department in chains.
Kate spoke to Talley.TV about her treatment and encouraged people to attend her trial on Monday (details below) which is the first for the “Chalking 8.” She outlines her defense plan but seems to realize the difficulty in receiving “justice” from the same organization that employs the law enforcers, prosecutors and judges. The person who will wear the black robe in Kate’s case was once a law enforcer and prosecutor within the State of New Hampshire.
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=148434468580018
Christopher Micklovich's Mug Shot & Damaged Face courtesy of the MPD
When she arrived at the Manchester Police Department, Kate encountered some already agitated law enforcers who took little time to use aggression against her. Manchester law enforcers arrested eight people and seized nine cameras/phones that day which should bother anyone who supports transparency in government.
Despite the confiscation of cameras, Dave Ridley captured the arrest of Kate Ager because, luckily, he was across the the street:
Other videos by FreeConcord.org and Kevin Freeheart document what took place earlier in the day.
I hope to attend Kate’s trial and I expect many others will as well. If so, expect live-streamed reports from Manchester.
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