The Manchester P.D. has announced that they will be holding a "Sobriety Checkpoint" this Friday, Feb. 22nd. I don't know where or when yet.
As a group, we could produce signs that say something like "Unconstitutional checkpoint ahead" or "Police State Enforcement Ahead" or "COPS WITH GUNS AND BREATHALYZERS," and then post volunteers around the streets leading to the abuse of power. We could have DETOUR signs that say "Detour: Freedom This Way" or whatever.
This may be an arrestable activity, who knows these days. But it would be great. More thoughts? Who's in?
When Lauren Dada and others did that last year, there was no threat of arrest, if I remember right.
Sounds like a good plan :)
I'm in.
Technically these things have been deemed constitutional, so that wouldn't be a good idea for a sign. I like the detour sign idea:
DETOUR
CHECKPOINT AHEAD
FREEDOM THIS WAY
<—
or something similar.
I think it goes without saying that several detours should be planned out, as they will likely send a car or 2 to monitor the initial "freedom detour"
<<When Lauren Dada and others did that last year, there was no threat of arrest, if I remember right.>>
the cops handed out water bottles to us and told lauren "just make sure and take the sign down after you're done"
That is the kind of cop story i love to be able to tell!
great idea mark and i hope to be there on the 22nd
I will start poking around to see if i can find any of my signs.
I am expected in Boston on Friday night. So, I guess I can't make it. :(
QuoteTechnically these things have been deemed constitutional
So have many laws which absolutely and directly conflict with the hard-coded restrictions on
government power found in the so-called Bill of Rights. When the
government levies judgement upon the constitutionality of something, even an idiot can see the conflict of interest therein.
Of course, you already know this. I simply enjoy pointing out obvious things. :P
What time Friday?
I don't know when or where they will be doing this travesty of freedom. Does anyone know a cop "insider?" That would be best; we need our own reverse informant. Perhaps we'll just have to be on call and have several scouts drive around different parts of the city.
Some activists are going to MASS for a Beth party, so we may be short on peeps. If we don't get better intel, we may have to scrub this one and keep it in mind for the future. Check back here on Thursday.
The most common spot is apparently on elm st. between granite st. and queen city st. i think they set up there a little after midnight last time and stayed perhaps until 2 a.m.
Dave,
I think the best part of the whole shebang was when the cops went on break and left their roadblock untended.
People were just driving right by, while the cops had a little sit down.
I'll keep an ear out for any Porc411 messages disclosing the location.
Also, how legible are signs at night? are flashlights sufficient illumination?
Hope to be out there this Friday night!
Quote from: sandm000 on February 20, 2008, 01:09 PM NHFT
Dave,
I think the best part of the whole shebang was when the cops went on break and left their roadblock untended.
People were just driving right by, while the cops had a little sit down.
Its a sobriety checkpoint...
They're not required to check 100% of the vehicles.
Yeah but the funny part was that they had 4 cop cars with lights on and the cops were not anywhere near them. Imagine being at a border crossing, and all the agents take a break leaving you to guide yourself across the border, it had to be surreal to all those people who drove down the gauntlet of police cars with no police around.
Quote from: picaro on February 20, 2008, 04:07 PM NHFT
Also, how legible are signs at night? are flashlights sufficient illumination?
There are plenty of lights out there so a flashlight won't be necessary.
Snacks, music, and liquid refreshment are all optional.
It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to get word out to every local business with a liquor license, as well.
would you be willing to look some of them up and make some calls?
This website may be helpful tracking down licensees (http://nhlicenses.nh.gov/weblookup/Search.aspx?facility=Y).
Quote from: picaro on February 21, 2008, 12:40 PM NHFT
This website may be helpful tracking down licensees (http://nhlicenses.nh.gov/weblookup/Search.aspx?facility=Y).
I might be a little fat-fingered with this, but I'm trying to figure out how to narrow down the results to only show active licenses.
I did a search to find any Restaurant-type liquor licenses and got back 20 pages of results, most of which represent inactive licenses.
if a report goes out on 411 , plz post it to this thread. some of us are unable to receive the messages directly on our email. but i plan to watch the thread.
whoever is willing...just be on standby tomorrow night and ready to hop in your car .
Quote from: sandm000 on February 21, 2008, 10:06 AM NHFT
Yeah but the funny part was that they had 4 cop cars with lights on and the cops were not anywhere near them. Imagine being at a border crossing, and all the agents take a break leaving you to guide yourself across the border, it had to be surreal to all those people who drove down the gauntlet of police cars with no police around.
Everybody stopping to look for the accident?
Quote from: DadaOrwell on February 20, 2008, 07:49 AM NHFT
The most common spot is apparently on elm st. between granite st. and queen city st. i think they set up there a little after midnight last time and stayed perhaps until 2 a.m.
not far from Murphy's right?
Quote from: J'raxis 270145 on February 18, 2008, 04:02 PM NHFT
I'm in.
Technically these things have been deemed constitutional, so that wouldn't be a good idea for a sign. I like the detour sign idea:
DETOUR
CHECKPOINT AHEAD
FREEDOM THIS WAY
<—
or something similar.
they might go nuts if you have a detour sign .... but don't worry we will visit you in jail ;)
Quote from: sandm000 on February 20, 2008, 01:09 PM NHFT
Dave,
I think the best part of the whole shebang was when the cops went on break and left their roadblock untended.
People were just driving right by, while the cops had a little sit down.
that is funny ... "donut break"
maybe people can hand them a donut box and shut it down early
Quote from: Russell Kanning on February 22, 2008, 05:49 AM NHFT
Quote from: DadaOrwell on February 20, 2008, 07:49 AM NHFT
The most common spot is apparently on elm st. between granite st. and queen city st. i think they set up there a little after midnight last time and stayed perhaps until 2 a.m.
not far from Murphy's right?
Yep, it's just south of Murphy's on Elm Street.
Quote from: John Edward Mercier on February 22, 2008, 04:48 AM NHFT
Quote from: sandm000 on February 21, 2008, 10:06 AM NHFT
gauntlet
Everybody stopping to look for the accident?
No, I would say that people were confused about why the cars were in the middle of the street and off to the right (like a literal gauntlet (http://www.answers.com/topic/running-the-gauntlet)) and then encountering flag waving sign wielding protestors to said empty double row of cop cars.
"encountering flag waving sign wielding protestors to said empty double row of cop cars"
:notworthy:
I just called MPD and talked to some lieutenant in the OIC (probably like a PIO), but he said he didn't know what time tonight or where the checkpoint would be held. He said that as far as he knew, it was still going to happen despite the lousy weather. He claimed that the traffic officer who would know the details wasn't there. I don't know if he would tell me or not, but it doesn't hurt to ask. I said I was with the Manchester Free Press, although he didn't ask. He didn't act at all curious about why I was inquiring.
Even if our little rally doesn't happen tonight, it wouldn't hurt to have a sign-making party so we're prepared for the next opportunity. I am not going to stand out in the cold at midnight. I might be out earlier for some beers and then jump in the car. I guess checkpoints really don't stop many intoxicated drivers; they just intimidate people, give the PD good PR, and generally harass citizens. My 2 cents.
Quote from: Taxinator on February 22, 2008, 03:30 PM NHFT
Even if our little rally doesn't happen tonight, it wouldn't hurt to have a sign-making party so we're prepared for the next opportunity. I am not going to stand out in the cold at midnight. I might be out earlier for some beers and then jump in the car. I guess checkpoints really don't stop many intoxicated drivers; they just intimidate people, give the PD good PR, and generally harass citizens. My 2 cents.
So what did happen?
Quote from: Taxinator on February 22, 2008, 03:30 PM NHFTI said I was with the Manchester Free Press ...
I guess checkpoints really don't stop many intoxicated drivers; they just intimidate people, give the PD good PR, and generally harass citizens. My 2 cents.
If you have a story ... and the Manchester Free Press doesn't yet have a website ... you can submit it to the New Hampshire Free Press. :) We also can produce press passes .... copwatch ones on request. :D
I can't believe checkpoints ever produce good PR .... have you met people that are happy they do them? In CA we hated them ... they would cause traffic jams. .... luckily I have not encountered one in NH ... except near Ed and Elaine's place. :(
Nothing became of this. I'll lock this thread. We may still get some people together to make signs for the next one. If you want to be on the sign committee, PM me (Mark W.).