I’m always excited to read the latest edition of FPP.cc News. Yesterday morning, a few friends and I thought the passengers might enjoy reading the message of liberty after their complimentary molestation, so we went to the airport to hand out some papers.
John Adams, Facilities Director at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, did not like the fact that I was handing out free newspapers to passengers. I handed out about five newspapers when Mr. Adams approached me with three cops following behind him. He was very rude, told me that I had to get a permit, stand in one of the two designated soliciting areas (at either outside end of the terminal), and stop handing out material. When asked if I could talk to other people in the public areas, I was told “no,” and the conversation was over. He refused to answer my questions, and refused to talk with me for the remainder of my visit. Hey, I figured he really must be some big-shot if he can override the Constitution. What authority does this man have that he thinks he can control individuals with his voice? That’s right … “Facilities Director.”
Apparently, the debate wasn’t over. My first act of defiance toward this petty tyrant was to simply to start waving and wishing passengers a safe flight. Hmmm, nothing happened. Maybe this dog was more bark than bite.
After establishing that the airport was public property, yet being told several times that I was not free to be free — end of story — I started asking what would happened if I continued on my heinous crime spree. The debate wasn’t over and finally when asked I was told “If you interfere with the flow of passengers, you’ll be arrested.” SWEET!!! Back to passing out newspapers!
Credit where credit is due, Mr. Adams directs a lovely building. He was even kind enough to provide police escorts for us, the rest of our time in the building. The officers following us around told us they were instructed to follow my every move because I was also exercising my Second Amendment right by carrying a rifle. They seemed to be the only ones alarmed. A lady even came up to me laughing while saying, “You know you are in New Hampshire.”
While I walked around the airport, I wondered: how much taxpayer money goes to Mr. Adams? How can someone in charge of such an operation be totally unaware of the Constitution? It’s really not that hard to figure out. Individuals have a right to assemble and express themselves on public property. That’s it. Mr. Adams was very upset that his words and policies could not stop people determined to exercise their rights.
What happens when you exercise your rights at the Manchester airport? They order you to stop, they harass you, they intimidate you, and they follow you around. Since it’s obvious people are so confused it’s important to stand up and clear things up a bit. Yes, I like the Manchester Airport. I think I’ll go back.
