Court-cam civil dis set for March 3 Keene

[Russell Kanning]

is he going to show for this arraignment?

[FTL_Ian]

is he going to show for this arraignment?

Andrew?  I believe so.

[Coconut]

is he going to show for this arraignment?

Andrew?  I believe so.

Andrew and I have an interview scheduled tonight. He will answer all your questions then. Watch FreeKeene.com

[Russell Kanning]

cool

[Coconut]

Andrew Carroll Update:

http://freekeene.com/2009/02/18/update-carroll-will-participate-not-fight-resist-any-fines/

[Russell Kanning]

thanks coconut

I agree with his stand and crazy dada

[cynthia]

Dave, that was a WONDERFUL letter.

[Coconut]

This could be quite the eventful day...Andrew in court, Ridley doing this, Charlie and Jesse in court.

Charlie and Jesse are Feb 25th, not March 3rd.

Barskey however, is to plea for Freedom Fest Charges on March 3rd.

[Fluff and Stuff]

This could be quite the eventful day...Andrew in court, Ridley doing this, Charlie and Jesse in court.

Charlie and Jesse are Feb 25th, not March 3rd.

Barskey however, is to plea for Freedom Fest Charges on March 3rd.

Do you know the times for all of these events?

[Mike Barskey]

I was ordered to appear at Keene District Court (3 Washington Street, Keene - it's in central square) at 8:30a on 3/3/09. It's just an arraignment, so I doubt they'll go through the effort of making me (and Andrew) wait until the end of the morning, but it's possible.

[Dave Ridley]

Sent to Keene Sentinel

---


"Constructive disobedience" at Keene court

Dear folks at the Sentinel:

On Nov. 14, authorities at Keene District Court ordered documentary videographer Tom Caruso to shut off his camera - and keep it off. They were just four minutes into a trial he drove four *hours* to film. No acceptable explanation was provided.

I know some of the court operatives and personally like them. But like them or not, they should not be able to draw a veil of secrecy around their public proceedings. You have a right to know what they're doing with your money. You have a right to know how it looks.

In protest of their partial censorship, I've informed KDC authorities I will respectfully attempt to enter the courtroom around 8:00 a.m. on March 3. I'll have a video camera, and I will *not* shut it off. Not without an acceptable reason. I'll film the arraignment of Gandhi-emulating marijuana activist Andrew Carroll in an appropriate, comprehensive manner, or be arrested.

I'm willing to accept a stiff penalty. But if seized, I will suggest a taxpayer-friendly sentence of community service: Highway litter pickup to be performed in or near Keene.

Yours,


Dave Ridley
(Former Keene resident)
Manchester

[FTL_Ian]

Dave,

When you write up a press release, I'll send it on to Keene-media.

[Dave Ridley]

2/21/09

Now that I'm looking at going in the pokey 3/3 over the right to videotape in the courtroom...

I'd like to update my "arrest wish list."   Once arrested and released, I will probably bring my civil dis campaign to a close.  So let's make the most of it.  These are the things I hope some of you will do while I'm locked up:

1) First, I'd just urge you to do whatever peaceful constructive thing you think best, on your initiative.

2) If you wish, spread the word about it to the mainstream press via news release or letters-to-editor.  For news releases you can use this document while adding your own update info:
http://nhunderground.com/forum/index.php?topic=17123.msg286553#msg286553

Here are good places to spread the word about this kind of thing:
http://nhunderground.com/forum/index.php?topic=2613.0

3) The thing I'd *most* like to see come out of such an arrest is this:  A small explosion of new Youtube channels and "liberty videos."   I'd love to see lots of you just SPEW vids.  I don't really care what they are about if they're peaceful, but obviously if you can't think of anything better you can always talk about the arrest.  Each of you simply going through the process of attaining video creation and upload capability...that is powerful.

I request that those few who have upload access to my channels do the following:  Try to make sure at least ten videos per week continue airing on the Ridley Report; whichever videos you think best, produced by whomever.  As long as you have producer permission and its peaceful.

If my advertisers feel left in the lurch by my absence they will hopefully contact you and work out something.  Other than that it's essentially at your discretion.
Air your own ads there if you like, or find some other way to make a profit for yourself.  Do not enable revenue sharing.

If you feel overwhelmed and desperately need to share the password, do not share it with people who ask for it.  Find someone you trust and ask them to take it.

Anyway this process should be healthy for the channel,  as it will make it less reliant on me.   

Here's a good program for downloading youtube vids and re-airing  them (presumably on the Ridley Report channel).  You will have to change them slightly if they've already aired on youtube, and you'll need permission from the producer.

http://youtubedownload.altervista.org/

When I exit the pokey, I would like to be able to look around and say... wow now there are a dozen new "liberty reporters!" 

A final thing you can do to help would be to point other liberty lovers toward this message.    It may have been forgotten by the time I am arrested. 

Thanks all...

Dave Ridley
RidleyReport.com
"The New Hampshire Revolution...
Is now televised"

[Coconut]

Who are the people with upload access, so I know who to get a video to to announce your arrest, should it happen.

You seem more certain than I that you will actually be arrested. I suspect you will not.

[Dave Ridley]

Also sent this side note to the court:

Options for safeguarding privacy of KDC audience members *and* press freedom
2/16/09

Dear folks at Keene District Court:

I understand you have some concerns regarding the videotaping of audience members inside your courtroom.   I'm sympathetic to these concerns, to the possibility that some people forced to be in that room might not want to be photographed.   Other audience members, however, do wish to be videotaped.  And I wish to videotape them, because they are doing something newsworthy.  They are refusing to stand for the judge.  The public has right to see this, and I have a duty to try and film it.   

There are some options for safeguarding the privacy of the uninvolved, while allowing the public to witness newsworthy events which occur on their side of the courtroom.   You may have better ideas, but here are my brainstorms:

1)  If you'd like me to, I could announce to the audience that I am about to videotape in their direction...giving camera-shy visitors time to leave the room or cover their faces.   Or you could inform them.

2) We could designate a part of the audience area as off limits for videography.  The camera-shy could sit there and I could do my best to avoid videotaping that part.  I might have to move the tripod to keep that area unseen.

3) If you can allow me to move about somewhat, that will make it easier to keep camera shy people behind the camera.  I will defer to you on this, but I reserve the right to take the camera off the tripod.  This will make it easier to control the camera and keep it aimed away from uninvolved parties.

Again, I'm open to better ideas.  I only want to videotape the audience if and when something newsworthy is happening in their direction.  I do not envision aiming their way for long, or on a frequent basis.  And for most of your morning, I do not need to videotape at all.  I will however need to be in the courtroom between roughly 8:15 am. and the end of Carroll's arraignment.

Again, I am willing to be arrested rather than submit to a blackout of these events.

It may be that our positions condemn us to be opponents of a sort, but we apparently share the privacy goal, and I hope we can work together in good faith to achieve it.

With best wishes as always,

Dave Ridley
RidleyReport.com
Manchester

And have sent this note to the jail superintendent:

Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.
    - Mahatma Gandhi



2/18/09
Richard N. Van Wickler
Superintendent, Cheshire Co. DOC

Dear Superintendent Van Wickler:

You may remember me from last year, when I interviewed you over the phone regarding your child support detainee Russell Kanning of Grafton.   On March 3, 2009, I plan to become an inmate myself.  I've informed Keene District Court that I intend to peaceably violate their draconian media restrictions, and they're unlikely to take this lightly.

While at your facility, I hope to assist you in your goal of eliminating certain victimless crime laws.  With their consent, I would like to videotape what victimless inmates are going through, though I realize your jail is one of the less inhumane.  I've put out a request for "assistance from outside," and an activist may be contacting you later to arrange
delivery of a camera to me at the jail.

In exchange for some freedom to videotape, I'm willing to answer virtually all the questions your guards may have for me.  Normally when I go to jail (though I've only done it once), I decline to answer most of the intrusive personal questions imposed on inmates.  The last time I did this the punishment was being forced to go naked for a day.  But it was worth it, and my default plan would be to do it again.  For the chance to videotape, I could see myself setting most of this aside.  There might be a couple of questions I'd still decline, such as providing a "socialist security number."

I would require your word on tape, that you will allow the camera in, before I consider such an arrangement finalized.   I would also require your word that I will be free to videotape everything except security-sensitive spots and every *one* except unwilling inmates.  Your safety, and their rights, are of equal concern to me.  I would require your assurances that the camera will not be confiscated or censored by your men.   I'm prepared to delete any clips myself which might inadvertently violate such locations, or the privacy concerns of inmates.

There's good precedent for allowing "inmate-journalists" to operate inside jails.  Nightline did it in the 90s twice; I think in one case it was a real inmate and in the other case Ted Koppel himself took up residence in a cell.  I make less pretense of neutrality, but I hope your last experience going on the Ridley Report serves as evidence that I am also fair.  Whether I'm able to bring a camera in or not, I will likely produce several videos or articles documenting what I see and experience in your jail.   I will also treat your staff with respect and endeavor to comply with most types of orders.

Here's a link to the series I did about Essex:  TinyUrl.com/c4e3jo

Thanks again for your efforts to end the war on drugs and for your transparent candor in the past.

With best wishes,


Dave Ridley
RidleyReport.com
Manchester

P.S. I will call your office around 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26. to discuss this further.  If this is a bad time, please have Penney let me know.