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Tue, 24 Oct 2006 08:26:35 -0700

Free Stater Imprisoned Indefinitely Pending Trial

NEW LONDON, Conn, Oct. 23, 2006 - After already serving 31 days in jail, Free State Project member Lauren Canario of New London was ordered at yesterday's hearing to be held indefinitely pending a future trial.

Canario was arrested on Sept. 22 for criminal trespass, interfering with police, and refusing to be fingerprinted. Anti-eminent-domain protestors held "Free Lauren Canario" signs at the city jail after she was arrested for sitting down in an attempt to prevent the boarding up of Fort Trumbull homes. The neighborhood was recently seized by the City of New London. She has been held for the past month pending a hearing and she is refusing to be represented by a lawyer.

Protesters arrived early Monday to support Canario. But, according to Free State Project member Kat Dillon, "They told us she wouldn't be brought in until 2 p.m., so we went out until about 1:30 p.m. When we came back, it was done and no one got to see her." 10-year-old protester William asked his father, "Why would they trick us like that, Dad?"

An anonymous source at the courthouse said State officials were heard laughing about the demonstration.

Video of last month's arrest shows two police officers dragging her away, leaving her on her knees in the street at one point, then forcing her into a police vehicle. In a Sept. 21 phone call, New London City Police Lt. Ackley claimed that Canario "victimized" him by refusing to cooperate. "I hurt my back when I had to drag her off the floor," he said.

After the arrest, Judge Kevin P. McMahon ordered an evaluation of Canario's mental competence and raised her bond from $5,000 to $20,000. Recently, she was found competent to stand trial, and today she was ordered held until an unknown future trial date, sometime within the next year.

The Connecticut jail system received global attention two weeks ago when Human Rights Watch censured the state, in a 20-page report, for using police attack dogs to force people from their cells. "Corrections officials in Connecticut and Iowa insist the use of attack dogs is justified because they deter prisoner misconduct and reduce staff injuries," the report said. "But 45 other states and the Federal Bureau of Prisons reject their views."

Like a tree in the forest

Canario was also arrested during a town meeting in September of 2005 and charged with criminal trespass, refusal to be fingerprinted, and interfering with police. For several weeks, she left the court, judge, and police in disarray while refusing to speak or walk as ordered. "I don't know what to do with this," Judge Hillary Strackbein said during Canario's second silent court appearance last year. Canario was eventually released and sentenced to time served.

A headline from local publication "TheDay" at the time said Canario was "like a tree in the forest."

She has a reputation for not physically resisting the police, but refusing to speak and going limp when force is used against her. Video footage from last year's arrest showed police carrying her off from New London City Hall after ordering her, the media, and others to leave a public meeting which police claimed was overcrowded. After angering the media, the city manager and fire chief blamed each other for the selective enforcement of overcrowding ordinances during the highly charged discussions of eminent domain.

Two supporters fasting

As of Monday night, Free State Project and New Hampshire Underground activist Kat Dillon, of Keene, had already been fasting for 10 days for Canario's release. Dillon remains in good health and has not said when her fast will end. Free Stater John Connell also began fasting on Monday in support of Canario. He will fast for one day, for "justice." He said, "These kinds of people are very happy to nail Lauren Ann Canario to the eminent domain cross and be done with this small problem."

Fort Trumbull residents were forced to leave their homes after the New London Development Corporation legally seized the properties with the June 2005 approval of the U.S. Supreme Court. The case received global publicity at the time, and supporters across the country rallied to help, but failed to stop the city's property confiscations. The remaining families moved out of their homes in August, and the city has apparently left the abandoned neighborhood standing for the foreseeable future.

The Free State Project is a well-known migration of pro-liberty activists to New Hampshire. However, Canario and her husband Jim Johnson decided to move to Fort Trumbull to fight against eminent domain before moving to New Hampshire.

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Fri, 28 Jul 2006 08:43:09 -0700

http://Viscid.stumbleupon.com/review/4998307/

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 08:35:22 -0700

Keene resident Russell Kanning is on a mission. Wearing overalls, a straw hat and carrying a pitchfork, the thirty-five year old libertarian activist is out to expel the "Internal Robbery Squadron" from his city. And, despite his lack of sophisticated weaponry, he has triggered quite a response from Washington.

Plain clothed officers and uniformed Department of Homeland security agents were present in force to meet him at noon today as he appeared outside Keene's tiny IRS office with several supporters. But it wasn't so much his pitchfork or his friends that had agents concerned; it was his handful of...flyers.

"I want them to quit their jobs," he said, referring to the one or two IRS agents who staff this part-time office on Keene's Main Street. His flyers contain a form which he is asking IRS agents to sign, pledging they will stop working for the agency because of what he considers the evil things it funds.

Kanning, who has openly refused to pay IRS taxes since the 90s, says he is most upset by the use of tax dollars to underwrite Iraqi occupation. He also says he was inspired to action by the arrest this May of Plainfield resident Ed Brown, a prominent Constitutionalist and tax resister.

When Kanning entered the building, authorites quickly interposed themselves and told him they would arrest him if he tried to enter the office itself.

"I think we could call it tilting at windmills," he joked.

While bantering with the perplexed agents, Kanning offered each of them a flyer, which each refused, then slowly walked toward the single flight of stairs leading to the IRS section of the building.

Officers then quickly, but carefully, placed his hands behind his back and cuffed him.

Activists from NHfree.com, including a professional videographer, crowded in to document the event but were elbowed back by agents. They then placed him, his straw hat and his overalls into a DHS squad car minus the pitchfork but grinning at photographers.

He ended up being booked at Keene Police Department, then released around 3 p.m. Kanning then returned to the IRS office and walked straight toward the door, whereupon he was cuffed again, booked again, and released again, this time, as before, on charges of disorderly conduct.

He says either he or a mysterious person known as Shorty Dawkins will be returning to the "scene of the crime" tonight.

At a "post-arrest party" in Keene, the atmosphere was jubilant.

"I never got to talk with the IRS workers," Kanning says, still grinning "but I did get to ask some Homeland Security guys to quit."

For the latest details on this unfolding situation visit the NHfree.com forums at:

http://forum.soulawakenings.com/index.php?topic=4584.0

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Sat, 27 May 2006 05:10:50 -0700

Free State Project Beckons
San Fran Gun Ban Last Straw For Gunowners Now NH Bound

by Dave Workman
Senior Editor

The much-debated Free State Project may have gotten no better boost over the past several months than it has from the voters in San Francisco, CA, who passed a gun ban in the city last Fall which is now being challenged in court by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), National Rifle Association (NRA), and others.

The ban has convinced gunowners not only that they aren't wanted by what many perceive as a society dominated by social bigots in the "City by the Bay," but also that it's time to take their lives where their presence will be appreciated. The Free State Project is a grassroots movement in which pro-gun, Libertarian-minded people are bidding farewell to the lives they
know, and heading for the Granite State, where the motto "Live Free or Die" carries a special meaning to them.

The Free State Project's goal is to attract as many as 20,000 people to live in New Hampshire, which was picked due to its low crime rate, and social and political environment. It's a small state with a small government, and Free Staters want to keep it that way.

San Francisco resident Christie Cole and her husband are planning the move to New Hampshire "within the year." Formerly a small gun dealer, this 26-year resident of San Francisco told Gun Week that "I guess I should have seen the writing on the wall in the mid- to late-1990s."

The gun ban vote was "the last in a long string of things" that has forced the Coles to the realization that, in a city that prides itself on diversity, "their kind" just isn't welcome.

"I guess it's true what they say that if you give them an inch, they take a mile," Cole said. "It's the slippery slope. Once you give in on something, it's just going to be worse. I don't like not being able to defend myself in my own home."

Zoning Issue
The gun ban is not the first time San Francisco micro-managers have done things to alter Cole's lifestyle, but it will be the last. A few years ago, she recalled, her activities as an amateur photographer came to an abrupt halt when the city arbitrarily decided that her home darkroom, because it had a sink with running water, was an illegal third living unit in a home located in a residential zone that does not allow multiple living quarters.

When the Coles were small-time gun dealers, working gun shows in the San Francisco area, the required paperwork volume was piled ever higher. It became untenable, and the Coles gave that up. She now realizes that "the idea was to put us out of business."

A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Christie Cole "loves" the San Francisco climate and she is "a little worried" about moving to the Northeast Snow Belt, but conversely, she is "excited about the idea (of living) in an area where your home is your castle."

According to Brian Gottstein, communications coordinator for the Free State Project, this is a movement of citizens who believe in limited government. The goal is to attract 20,000 people to move to New Hampshire, which was selected as a new home for Free Staters because of its small government, low taxes and gun laws.

"Gun laws in New Hampshire were a key reason for its selection as the Free State," he explained. "Any resident without a criminal record can openly carry firearms, and permits for concealed carrying are available to any resident passing a background check."

Gottstein noted that almost 10% of the project's participants so far have come from California.

"Many are leaving to escape the state's excessive regulation and taxation," he acknowledged. "Some are leaving especially because of the repressive gun laws."

Already Moved
Include among those already out of the Golden State and now residing in New Hampshire former San Franciscan Sandy Pierre. This 37-year-old lived in San Francisco when she was in her 20s, and then moved to nearby Oakland, which was like jumping from the frying pan into the fire in terms of a crime-ridden environment, she explained.

"When I was living in San Francisco a woman was raped outside my apartment and I heard the whole thing," she recalled. "I wanted to go outside (but) the only weapon I had was a baseball bat. None of my neighbors went to the woman's assistance either."

Another of her neighbors was carjacked at gunpoint. Pierre decided it was time to leave California in her rearview mirror. She made the cross-country trip alone.

A resident of New Hampshire since May 2005, Pierre became interested in the Free State Project about two years ago.

"I really like the fact that New Hampshire offers a lot more personal freedom," she said. "I was in grad school when I moved out here (and now) I work in a software company."

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Sat, 27 May 2006 05:10:31 -0700

Pierre acknowledged that she did not own a gun while living in California, primarily because "I've always hated the idea of having my name in a government data base, and I didn't used to be interested in guns. I had a pretty typical liberal attitude that guns were only for policemen but that started changing a few years ago."

Realizations
Because of the crimes in her neighborhood, Pierre decided that she should at least learn how to handle a firearm. Then came another realization.

"I had never touched a gun in my life," she said. "Nobody in my social circle had guns."

Because of a peculiar San Francisco law, she could not legally go to a gun range to try shooting unless she was accompanied by another person. Ostensibly, this regulation is designed to prevent someone from committing suicide at an indoor gun range with a rental firearm. She actually had to place a personal ad in the local newspaper seeking someone who would go with her to the gun range.

Born in Rhode Island but raised in California, Pierre recalled a feeling of social isolation in San Francisco because of her Libertarian philosophy.

"Up here," she said, "my neighbors are so different; some of them carry guns 24 hours a day. It is nice and the crime rate is so much lower."

Among the influences that convinced her there is a better life outside of California was the Mel Gibson film "The Patriot."

"It used to be completely normal for kids to be handling guns," she said.

Pierre and several of her friends are going to take a firearms safety course shortly, and the next step will be to buy a gun. She has no plans to become a serious gun collector, but having a firearm without all the red tape required under California law will be another step toward self-reliance.

Nothing to Change
Free Staters Irena and Denis Goddard are not gunowners, but they are not ruling it out, and Irena admitted to Gun Week that California's ever-tightening restrictions on gunowners' rights is one factor that led to their move to the Concord, NH, area last June.

Born in the Czech Republic and raised in New York, at 26 Irena moved to San Francisco where she eventually met Denis and they were married. They now have a 2-year-old son.

The thought of moving from San Francisco to New Hampshire did not bother them. They were looking for a simpler, less regulated life, and they found that it already exists in the Granite State. There is literally nothing to change.

"We decided we didn't want to live there anymore," she said of California. "The politics were just getting ridiculous; the fact (of) so much spending, so many social programs, so many things we did not support."

Denis is a software developer for Oracle, while Irena has decided to take a couple of years off work to be at home with their son.

`What's Next?'
"We did not leave exclusively because of the gun ban, but it was one of the many reasons why we left," she said. California was passing laws, taking away liberties. Gun ownership is in the Constitution and we started thinking `My god, what's next?' "

Noting that Denis "was always a Libertarian and I was a Republican when we met," Irena gradually came to realize that she had a strong Libertarian streak as well.

"We don't want the government to be telling us what to do," she said.

They found the Free State Project one night on the Internet, and began researching the effort.

While she is not a gunowner, Irena has no qualms about people owning firearms. She believes gunowners are more responsible, and their presence makes for "a more polite society." Additionally, she isn't the slightest bit alarmed that her neighbors might be carrying concealed handguns.

"I get along with my neighbors," she said.

Hopeful that the future in New Hampshire will be far better than the past they left in California, Irena told Gun Week she feels right at home in her new surroundings.

"I have met many New Hampshire residents and they are `us,' " she observed.

More information on the Free State Project is available by visiting the group's website at: http://www.FreeStateProject.org

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Sat, 01 Apr 2006 10:16:23 -0800

Massive Coalition Protest Against National ID

What: Massive Coalition Protest Against National ID
When: Saturday, April 22, from 11am-1pm.
Where: State Capitol Building, Concord

NH CASPIAN is coordinating a coalition RALLY from 11am-1pm at the State Capitol in Concord on Saturday, April 22nd.

There will be political effects to this event, but that's because it is going to be an enormous event! Some plan to create a nazi-style DHS "papers please" checkpoint to show what the real effect of National ID will be, but these brown suits will have DHS armbands instead of swastikas.

CNN will be at the event. National civil liberties groups are flying in representatives to the coalition meeting tomorrow (Thursday) at Bickford's after the 6pm NH Caspian meeting. Coalition organizations will literally be shipping people to Concord by the busload.

http://Viscid.stumbleupon.com/review/3565763/

Sun, 12 Mar 2006 11:29:17 -0800

New Hampshire House votes to defy Federal ID

Libertarians in New Hampshire are celebrating after the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 270-84 to refuse cooperation
with the hated "Real ID" act. Real ID is a Federal mandate which attempts to force states into a standardized drivers license system at taxpayer expense. Freedom advocates argue it would be at the expense of privacy as well.

"Give me liberty or give me death," said State Rep Neal Kurk, speaking in favor of the bill on the House floor. The chamber roared with applause.

House Bill 1582 forbids all state agencies from participation in Real ID mandates, and asserts that Real ID "is contrary and repugnant to Articles 1 through 10 of the New Hampshire constitution..."

The lopsided anti-Federal vote was a shock even to proponents of the bill. Real ID passed the U.S. Senate 100-0 last year and generated little debate. But as states like New Hampshire have taken a closer look at what it will require of them, liberty activists and local government officials have been teaming up to draw a line in the sand between Washington and their own states.

New Hampshire in particular has become increasingly restive since 2003, when it became a migratory destination for "Free Staters," libertarian activists who move into the state to fight for freedom.

HB 1582 next goes to the New Hampshire Senate; if it passes there it will have to be signed by the Governor.

video of Representative Kurk's speech:
http://freestateblogs.net/node/306

Bill text:
http://forum.soulawakenings.com/index.php?topic=3161.0

Boston Globe article:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2006/03/11/nh_tries_to_balance_open_government_with_civil_liberties/

http://Viscid.stumbleupon.com/review/2980306/

Sat, 07 Jan 2006 06:48:47 -0800

Mr. Kanning,
We have learned through a local "Letter to the Editor" that you plan another flag burning event in Robin Hood Park. Last year, after the event, I was informed by the Keene Fire Department that burning in a park picnic area requires a fire permit. The reason is that the burning is purely for burning and not for cooking food as the fire pits were and are intended for. I was told that you, or someone in your organization was informed of this last year. You will need a fire permit from the Keene Fire Department and they tell me the permit requires the permission of the land owner. In this situation I would be signing off as the land owner. If presented with signing off, I will refuse. This use of a picnic area in a park is not appropriate in my view. They were created and funded by citizens with the intent that people would have cookouts there. Open burning for the sake of open burning can be done somewhere else.
Brian Mattson
Director, Keene Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department

http://Viscid.stumbleupon.com/review/2980301/

Sat, 07 Jan 2006 06:48:24 -0800

Letter to the editor, Keene Sentinel
On Sunday, December 18, activists from NHfree.com - and other local opponents of the United Nations - will stage the second annual UN Flag Burn at Robin Hood Park in Keene. The blue flags will blaze starting around noon, and everyone is welcome - regardless of their opinion. Strangely enough the counterprotest which was supposed to happen last year never materialized, and the organization which promised it has since dissolved.

As before, participants are invited to bring open-carried, lawfully borne firearms, that they may peacefully celebrate those gun rights which New Hampshire enshrines but the UN seeks to destroy.

It was an honor to have Erica and Steve from the Sentinel covering the story last year; they and any of your staff will be welcome again this year!

Anyone who would like to know more is welcome to visit NHfree.com or give me a ring at _____ - although I should make clear that I am not in charge. Fortunately, neither is the UN just yet!

See you there.
DAVE RIDLEY

http://Viscid.stumbleupon.com/review/2943684/

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 02:50:03 -0800

New Hampshire bill aims to prevent Katrina-style gun seizures

January 2, 2005
Concord, N.H.

Concerned by perceived abuses of Federal power during the Katrina crisis, New Hampshire state reps are reviewing a bill which would criminalize certain weapons seizures - even if the perpetrators are Federal officers. House Bill 1639-FN, prohibits the confiscation of lawfully owned and lawfully carried firearms during a state of emergency, making a felon of any law enforcement officer who attempts to seize such a firearm during a disaster.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Paul Hopfgarten at the request of local Free Staters - members of a group trying to recruit freedom lovers to New Hampshire and turn it into an even more libertarian state than it already is http://www.freestateproject.org).

The bill reads: "Any law enforcement officer, person acting as a law enforcement officer, or other public official who confiscates or attempts to confiscate lawfully carried or lawfully owned firearms in this state during a declared state of emergency shall be charged with a class A felony."

In the chaos following Hurricane Katrina, various government agencies - including Federal Marshalls - made systematic attempts to sweep New Orleans of guns - even if that meant entering the homes of law abiding gun owners. The move did not cause widespread outrage in most states. But New Hampshire residents reacted by burning a FEMA flag in front of a local Federal building. They also circulated a petition pledging resistance if such a move were ever attempted in the "Live Free or Die" state....a place where guns are part of the culture and gun laws are the second most free in the nation.

Activists say whether it passes or not, this "Gun Protection Bill" is one more small thing they can do to try and protect themselves from disarmament at the hands of any government, during a time when they believe they will need their weapons most.

Bill text
Media coverage of FEMA flag burn