Civil Disobedience

[Michael Fisher]

I spoke to a chief of police tonight and asked him about our upcoming act of civil disobedience.  Other than trespassing, he said that we will probably not be committing an arrestable offense.  When we protest in front of the Board's offices and someone asks us to leave, we can just move to the sidewalk.  If not, we will be arrested for trespassing, and there would be no point to that.

However, the Board may have the ability to hold an emergency meeting and immediately give us a citation or a court summons, and in New Hampshire, citations do not need to be signed, and you are not arrested on the spot for refusing to sign or pay it.  When the deadline runs out for paying the citation, or if you do not show up for a court summons, then I believe a warrant is issued for your arrest.

In the end, from what I've researched, I believe it's a Class B misdemeanor that we will be committing, and either we pay the fee or we go to jail for a few days.  I'll opt for jail for myself.  Dada can do whatever he wants.   

[Pat K]

I don't want to throw cold water on any plans . I'M not questioning anybodys committment, but have any of you been arrested before?

If the police are amused and like you . IT still is unpleasent.

If you have annoyed the police or they are jerks it can be very unplesent.

Be ready to feel powerless once thoose cuffs clank closed it is not fun anymore.

Just some advice.

[Michael Fisher]

If I thought going to jail would be fun, then why did I say repeatedly that suffering is necessary to create change?

Going to jail is not fun.? Suffering is necessary to light the fires of liberty.? I can FINALLY see a clear path for bringing problems into the spotlight in order to create public debate about them.

Civil disobedience is an exploit in the system that cannot be prevented.? It is the law's greatest weakness, for there is little you can do to redress a problem with the law once it's the law, except to find a sneaky, slimy way to get it changed without too many people paying attention.? And those methods of change are immoral.

If civil disobedience is a button, then nobody can stop you from pushing it but yourself.? The alternative to civil disobedience is to be a slave or a sneaky political scoundrel.

Thank you for the advice though.

[Pat K]

Like I said not trying to cause a problem.

Just some friendly advice.


I will bake you a cake with a file in it if ya want

[SethCohn]

For there is little you can do to redress a problem with the law once it's the law, except to find a sneaky, slimy way to get it changed without too many people paying attention.  And those methods of change are immoral.

Mike, while I know you believe the above, it's just not true.  Our work with HB406 among other things shows that here in New Hampshire, you can make changes to the law by just saying "This law doesn't work, it's wrong, it helps nobody".

Yes, Law is not easy to change, and takes time and effort... but you can do it, and often the problem was nobody was paying attention in the first place...

I believe Civil Disobedience has a place, alongside practical reform attempts.  Getting rid of licenses in one fell swoop is unlikely, whether by protest or political means... it'll take a mix of the two.

Some of those 'sneaky political scoundrels' in the NH State House agree with you, and would love some support in making those changes.

[Russell Kanning]

I'll post the text of the press release here for people like me who are too lazy to click on a link.?

Mike Fisher, 362 Lita Ln, Newmarket, NH? 03857

For Immediate Release

For further information, please contact:? Mike Fisher, 603-498-7935

Activists to Defy State Licensing Laws

Do you have any more changes or can this be posted?

[Michael Fisher]

Do you have any more changes or can this be posted?

I made some final changes and it is ready to be posted.

You know what's funny?  That chief of police agreed that some of our licensing laws are unnecessary.

[Michael Fisher]

It's up on the front page!  I see it!

Thanks Russell! 

[Russell Kanning]

you can tweak it any way you like....maybe one of your cool graphics or cartoons

[Russell Kanning]

Hey Mike ....are you a fire-breathing anarchist?

[Kat Kanning]

Maybe if we get Ward Griffiths with his kick-ass chili we can be fire-breathing in addition to being anarchists

[Michael Fisher]

Hey Mike ....are you a fire-breathing anarchist?

What?   ???

[Michael Fisher]

I just got off the phone with Dada and believe some changes must be made to this civil disobedence.

1.? We'll be doing manicures only.  (easier, safer, cheaper than haircuts)

2.? The first event on May 9th is the main event, but I will continue running this business, every Monday at the same time and place, and perhaps more than once per week, until I receive a fine or court summons.? I will do this even if there are very few attendees.

My signs may read:
"I refuse to submit to licensing laws."
"I will never stop giving haircuts until you force me to stop."

3.? If necessary, we will call salons around the state about this illegal unlicensed haircut business until complaints are filed.

[FTL_Ian]

You might as well call the salons in advance.  Maybe call as a concerned customer, and clue them in that you heard that someone is going to be "undercutting" their prices, and where and when.

[Michael Fisher]

I'm not going to do anything dishonest, but they'll eventually have to stop me, complaints or not.