Police checkpoint activism – New Hampshire style

[Keith and stuff]

Police checkpoint activism – New Hampshire style

Sometimes you just have to stand up for yourself and 100s of near-by motorists

Police checkpoint activism – New Hampshire style
http://nhfreedom.wordpress.com/2012/07/22/police-checkpoint-activism-new-hampshire-style/

New Hampshire is 1 of those states where sobriety checkpoints are legal. All the police have to do is get the approve from a judge and then tell the media in a town that a checkpoint will happen in that town. The media then reports when the checkpoint will happen. On July 11th, the Union Leader reported that a sobriety checkpoint would happen in Manchester, NH on July 20th and July 21st. NH drivers are allowed to turn around before a checkpoint, but only in such a manner as would be legal if a checkpoint wasn’t present.

Liberty activists in Manchester like to warn folks about these checkpoints, which I believe violate the 4th Amendment. Activists take a variety of actions including warning people via Porc411, a rapid message distribution network, holding up warning signs near the checkpoint, warning motorists about checkpoints by projecting lasers on near-by buildings and handing out cards at local restaurants.

A recent Manchester checkpoint was scheduled for 2 nights, back to back. The liberty activists were so successful at warning motorists about the police checkpoint that the police didn’t even do the checkpoint on the 2nd night. The July 20th checkpoint started on Elm St but after liberty activists effectively warmed many motorists, the police moved the checkpoint to Bridge St. The liberty activists continued to effectively warn motorists at the new location. The latest report available at Porc411 indicated that police may have given up and not even run a July 21st checkpoint.

For a bunch of related links and a few photos from the event, click on this link.

 

[Indy Vidual]

+1776 > 1984

 

[Keith and stuff]

Update: I was told by 1 of the activists that as far as he knew, a checkpoint didn't happen on July 21st. That's likely because of the July 20th activism. Sometimes, standing up for your rights does work

 

[osan]

Update: I was told by 1 of the activists that as far as he knew, a checkpoint didn't happen on July 21st. That's likely because of the July 20th activism. Sometimes, standing up for your rights does work

I think that is friggin' abfab. Keep it up. Never give up. Paint them into a corner so tight they are forced to make the decision they never want to make.

 

[NorthCarolinaLiberty]

Thanks for posting. I will post on other forums to which I belong. I hope they abandoned their 2nd night because of the warnings. I love activism that has a tangible result. New Hampshire is alright!

That laser is also a nice touch. Almost like a reverse 1984 in favor of the citizens.

 

[Keith and stuff]

Thank you NorthCarolinaLiberty! The same laser was used at Ron Paul events in NH during the campaign season

 

[RonRules]

If the police REALLY wanted to prevent drunk driving, they would be at the bars to offer free sobriety tests to help prevent people from driving off drunk.

Instead they let people drive drunk so they can catch and fine them while at the same time annoying the 99% of all other drivers that did not have a drink. A typical DUI fine in CA (with all the expenses) is like around $2K.

 

[Keith and stuff]

A reader of the blog posted about some folks in a suburb of Philly doing some police checkpoint activism last month.

Here is the link if you want to learn more about that they did in Philly (no they didn't have a laser but they did have a lot of signs). http://theinternationallibertarian.blogspot.com/2012/06/police-state-checkpoint-nullification.html

 

[Nickels]

+1776 > 1984

There were no cars in 1776.

 

[Nickels]

If the police REALLY wanted to prevent drunk driving, they would be at the bars to offer free sobriety tests to help prevent people from driving off drunk.

Instead they let people drive drunk so they can catch and fine them while at the same time annoying the 99% of all other drivers that did not have a drink. A typical DUI fine in CA (with all the expenses) is like around $2K.

If they did that, would you actually appreciate it? Or would you complain that they are intruding on your freedom by not letting you run the risk of getting caught and fined? And isn't the fact they will get you like this incentive enough to police yourself and avoid such harassment?

 

[The Free Hornet]

If they did that, would you actually appreciate it? Or would you complain that they are intruding on your freedom by not letting you run the risk of getting caught and fined? And isn't the fact they will get you like this incentive enough to police yourself and avoid such harassment?

First, big thanks to Keith for posting these messages. They give me hope.

Second, one can only "avoid such harassment" by not being on the road. It is not just about sobreity, it is about 0.01 BAC (underage), 0.04 BAC (CDL even if driving your Honda Accord and not a semi), 0.05 BAC (some states), 0.08 BAC (most states - still sober for most adults), it is about seat belts, taillights, and MANDATORY INSURANCE checks. "police yourself" has naught to do with it.

Also, in your scenario, I would be wary but why wouldn't I have the ability to ignore them and run the risk? RonRules suggested they "offer" free tests, not mandate it.

 

[Keith and stuff]

First, big thanks to Keith for posting these messages. They give me hope.

No problem. I want these stories to get out there. I agree with you that it isn't about being drunk. The BAC of 0.8 isn't the drunk people for most people, IMO, anyway. Plus, it is a violation of the US Constitution and I beleive, the NH Constitution.

I remember in the 1990s when people were allowed to drink and drive in MT as long as they were under the legal limit. I remember riding in my friend's car, going to casinos in MS. Everyone but the driver was legally allowed to get drunk in the car.

This country has thrown common sense out the window is so many cases

 

[Keith and stuff]

Thanks for posting. I will post on other forums to which I belong. I hope they abandoned their 2nd night because of the warnings. I love activism that has a tangible result. New Hampshire is alright!

That laser is also a nice touch. Almost like a reverse 1984 in favor of the citizens.

It happened this month. This time in Concord. http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showth...kpoint-activism-–-Concord-New-Hampshire-style

 

[Keith and stuff]

The laser is for sale to the general public. You can do this where you live. Here is a CopBlock video about it.

Note: I am definitely not a part of CopBlock (though I have done some police watching) and I am not involved in the making or selling of these lasers. I do think the laser is awesome, though!


The video description:

Get your own Green Beam Laser by emailing Manchester, NH-based entrepreneur and activist Bill Domenico: bill at resunltd4u dot com

For more related videos, posts & how-to overview by Domenico, visit http://copblock.org/greenbeamlaser

Police checkpoints suck! If you're not hurting anyone, no one has the right to impede your freedom of movement, or to demand your papers, or to search your person or property.

Fortunately, we're starting to look out for each other - warning with signs, or via twitter, and now... there's the green beam laser!

Use this technology to have a huge impact in your area and help keep your community safe. Or use it to share thought-provoking quotes, or to give the details for an upcoming event.

The green beam laser - it's badass!

 

[Keith and stuff]

Manchester and Free Speech – Like Oil and Water
July 30, 2013 by William Kostric
http://freekeene.com/2013/07/30/manchester-and-free-speech-like-oil-and-water/

Under the banner of the Manchester branch of the Peaceful Streets project, local activists have been taking it upon themselves to warn their neighbors about the dangers of suspicionless checkpoints. Here is some video from a few of the checkpoints we’ve previously attended over the last few years years.

What’s interesting is that we had done over a half dozen of these events with no hassle at all. The first inkling we had that there might be an issue with the projector came during the protest of a Romney rally last November. The management of Verizon Wireless Arena decided they didn’t like our message and called the police. This was the first time that the possibility of a city ordinance violation had been brought up to us. It turned out that our battery was dying and we ended up shutting down and heading home before the issue was resolved. Friday night was the first time the projector had been deployed in Manchester since the Romney event.

As the Occupy New Hampshire case heads to the NH state supreme court, we begin down the path of a case that is similar in many respects. While in that case the State posited that it had a compelling interest in keeping people out of the park after 9pm because the grass and trees would die and anarchy would reign supreme, it’s diffuclt to imagine the tripe the they’re likely to trot out in this case.

We do plan to fight this one and are still in the process of figuring out the best way to do that. The Green Beam has set up a gofundme if you’d like to help with the defense. The summons cites sections 9.03 and 9.07. I’ll continue to post updates as they become available.

 

[Keith and stuff]

A Green Beam victory!

Update on the Green Beam Case
August 14, 2013 by William Kostric
http://freekeene.com/2013/08/14/update-on-the-green-beam-case/

As reported here, Manchester police issued a summons for violating a sign / zoning ordinance for using a laser projector during a Peaceful Streets event which warned citizens of the dangers that lay ahead at the suspicionless checkpoint being operated by MPD. In response we set up a successful go fund me campaign to help with legal expenses.



Attorney Seth Hipple was hired to handle the case and a letter was sent to the city requesting that they clarify exactly which subsection of the ordinance we were accused of violating. The response we received was unexpectedly positive, the summons has been cancelled. Here is a copy of the letter. MPD LASER LETTER



As of right now, the Green Beam is ready and waiting to deploy at the next event. The law office of Martin and Hipple will remain on retainer in case the planning department decides to pursue the matter or the city devises a new strategy. Any remaining funds will be used to upgrade and maintain the laser. Thank you for your support.

http://freekeene.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/MPD-LASER-LETTER.pdf

 

[tod evans]

It's good that the prosecutor dropped this citation...

Don't think for a moment that this is a net win!

If there's not a statute that can be twisted to apply there soon will be, pay attention!

 

[NorthCarolinaLiberty]

Don't think for a moment that this is a net win!

If there's not a statute that can be twisted to apply there soon will be, pay attention!

The police department letter said that the ordinance is enforceable by the Planning and Community Development Department. Wonder how they'll proceed, or maybe that is just a baloney threat.

It's great news that people continue to fight back. I would like to thank everyone involved in that effort. Thank you!!! The price of liberty being eternal vigilance is not an empty phrase.

 

[Keith and stuff]

The police department letter said that the ordinance is enforceable by the Planning and Community Development Department. Wonder how they'll proceed, or maybe that is just a baloney threat.

It's great news that people continue to fight back. I would like to thank everyone involved in that effort. Thank you!!! The price of liberty being eternal vigilance is not an empty phrase.

Great thoughts. Why the state police try to enforce some silly state law? Will the city police try to enforce a different ordinance? Will someone from that department work at 11PM at night so that the current ordinance may be enforced? Does the ordinance even apply in the 1st place? What about free speech?