Silent demonstration at Local Government Center / NH Municipal Assosciation

[Dave Ridley]

As you may recall, about six weeks ago an attorney from the NH Municipal Association wrote an article in the Herald defending New London, Connecticut's land grab and railing against New Hampshire's new Constitutional Amendment limiting eminent domain seizures. 

So yesterday I dropped by their offices in Concord, entered the lobby and stood there looking amuzed, and carrying a sign that read:

"Is it right to
facilitate eminent
domain seizures?
NHfree.com"

When a receptionist asked if she could help me, I just handed her a flyer which reads as follows:

----

Is the NH Municipal Association, or Local Government Center, guilty of aiding and abetting Eminent Domain Seizures?

I have the right to remain silent.  But thanks for your desire to read this flyer.  Your answers to the following questions would be welcome.

A representative of the NH Municipal Association recently wrote an article in the Portsmouth Herald defending the use of eminent domain against homeowners in New London, CT.  I thank God he has the right to say such an unpopular thing and stand ready to defend that right.

However, is it *moral* for NHMA to advocate or defend eminent domain usage, particularly when it is arguably not for public usage?

Are you or any of the people who you work for guilty, even indirectly, of aiding and abetting the perpetration of eminent domain against New Hampshire citizens?   Have you met Al Baldasaro, who lost his land in Londonderry recently due to eminent domain?  Or is he just a statistic on a piece of paper for you?  Were you in any way implicated in the seizure of his land?  If so, would you be willing to make restitution?

What, if anything, do you as an individual intend to do to help limit the use of eminent domain in New Hampshire or your complicity in it, if any?   

Does NHMA receive any taxpayer dollars, even indirectly?  If so, does that mean your representatives' public statements are a form of compelled speech, which ED victims must underwrite against their will? 

Do you have anything you would like to say to Lauren Canario?  She is the NH resident who has been imprisoned for two months without trial for peaceably resisting the New London Land Grab, which representatives of your institution have portrayed in such a favorable light.

Lastly, is there anything we can do to help you on the issues where we agree?   Presumably we're on the same side from time to time.  When state or federal institutions make local governments do things that increase spending, I assume you fight back.   You're invited to contact NHfree.com via our web forum any time you need support on such matters, or if you wish to answer the above questions in writing.   Meanwhile, it's my hope you'll rethink the morality of your pro-eminent-domain activities.

Respectfully,


Dave Ridley
NHfree.com

----

After reading the flyer, their receptionist said she'd pass it on to her supervisor.  I smiled and her and continued to stand there.  Soon the usual pattern began to repeat itself...the receptionist pretended to ignore me for a while then disappeared into the back rooms, then returned...people began peeking around corners and popping out of their offices to see "the demonstrator in the building."  A few people came by and answered the question on the sign.  one said "yes!"  one said "something to ponder..."  one said "no, not if it's for corporations."   The one who said "yes" walked out of the building so as he walked away I turned around to aim the sign at him on his way out.  I handed out some flyers but, of course, remained silent.

At 4:00, it was near closing time (they keep bureaucrat hours even tho it's not technically a government office).    So a lot of people were walking past me on their way out.   

After I'd been there about 15 minutes the author of the Herald article came out and introduced himself to me.   He asked me if I would like to discuss anything with him.  I just shook his hand and handed him the flyer.  He said he'd already ready it (this is a common response...it's amazing how fast these flyers find their way into the appropriate hands).  And he said something like "so you don't want to discuss this?"   And I just stood there, so he said ok then thank you!  Then he went back into his office.   I've learned its best not to answer questions by nodding or shaking your head, altho sometimes I will nod my head in agreement.

Still no one had asked me to leave so I was good to go and remained in place nodding and smiling at people.  More people started peeking through office windows and checking me out while pretending not to.  Others didn't pretend and were just amused.   Finally a middle aged lady popped out and asked if she could help me.  I handed her the flyer, she read it for maybe a minute.  She started looking kinda grim.  Then she asked me if I was aware this was private property.  So I winked at her and started walking backwards...but not as slow as usual.  Then she said "it's private property all the way out to the street." 

I exited their front door backwards and kept walking backwards after I got outside, aiming the sign at her and her fellow perpetrators.  Local government center is fairly big and there are a lot of windows facing the parking lot.  One after another the people inside the building looked up from their desks and came to the windows to watch the backwards-walking demonstrator.  I waved at them. 

No one answered any of the questions on the flyer.

[error]

Very good!

[KBCraig]

She started looking kinda grim.  Then she asked me if I was aware this was private property. 

Oh, the irony!

[Spencer]

We should have the place ED'd and dedicate it to peaceful silent protests.  It could be renamed the "Dave Ridley Silent Protest Plaza."  The plaza's sign could be held up by a giant statue of Dave in mid backward stride.

[Dreepa]

BTW.... many people in NH... think that the NHMA or LGC is the word of government.
I have to remind people all the time.. READ the RSAs not what this groups says.

[d_goddard]

Dave, your signature leaflet is becoming a well-honed "conscience tool"

I have the right to remain silent.  But thanks for your desire to read this flyer.

Fucking.
Brilliant.

Have you met Al Baldasaro, who lost his land in Londonderry recently due to eminent domain?  ...
Do you have anything you would like to say to Lauren Canario?

Awesome... bring it home with REAL PEOPLE impacted

Lastly, is there anything we can do to help you on the issues where we agree?
You're invited to contact NHfree.com via our web forum any time you need support on such matters

Truly beautiful. Co-opting potential enemies into friends.

[slim]

She started looking kinda grim.  Then she asked me if I was aware this was private property. 

Oh, the irony!

Ah got to love irony lets use the power of government to steal private property but of course they want to keep their private property and all the rights that come with the property.