Keene Equinox Discusses Impact of Keene Copblockers

Last week the write-up CopBlock works to keep police in check, authored by Alexa Ondreicka, went live at The Keene Equinox, which has the tagline, “The voice of Keen State College.” Below are some experts from the piece

Click here to read the full article, which also gives:

  • more comments from Ian Freeman about his motivations and actions to help create a peaceful community
  • a recount from a student filmed by someone active with Keene Cop Block during his interaction with strangers wearing badges
  • comments by Amanda Guthorn, the director of campus safety at Keene State

By: Alexa Ondreicka

For years, videos have been floating around the internet exposing police officers in every way possible.  

While there are many different viewpoints surrounding the actions of the police force, students at Keene State College in particular are being thrust into an entirely separate situation with the implementation of CopBlock every Friday and Saturday night.

CopBlock, according to member Ian Freeman, is a “decentralized organization—meaning nobody’s in charge of anybody else—that exists worldwide.”

Freeman noted that holding police accountable for their actions is their main focus, hoping to expose police officers who target people for “victimless crimes,” such as open container violations or possession of marijuana.

CopBlockers expose these police officers by video-taping their interactions with the people they are targeting and then placing the videos online for the public to see.

Graphic by Sean Crater, webmaster, Keene Equinox

Graphic by Sean Crater, webmaster, Keene Equinox

“A primary sort of weapon we use against the police is the video camera,” Freeman explained, “Police accountability is the focus of CopBlock, and the best way to hold them accountable, we’ve found, is through the public’s eye.”

Freeman said, “A CopBlocker can’t be there every time the police are behaving badly.  It’s your responsibility to protect yourself and the best thing you can do is record your interaction. I’ve seen cameras change how a police-encounter goes more times than I can count. And usually changes it for the better.”

He continued, “That’s all it takes—to have a concern for the people around you. And trying to create an environment where the police behave better, hopefully, and that fewer people get hurt, and fewer peaceful people will get arrested.”

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  • Film The Police – page with tactics, maps, links to smartphone apps, and more

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Playlist from Keene PD Bearcat Unveiling – Dec. 8th, 2012

The cure for evil and disorder is more liberty, not suppression.
– Alexander Berkman

As more raw, relevant videos are uploaded to YouTube.com/Fr33manTVraw they will be added to the playlist embedded here.

—————

Keene, NH – a college town of 25K – now has a Bearcat (Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck).

Despite much community opposition, the so-claimed “authorities” brought to town a militaristic vehicle. On an early, rainy Saturday morning (2012.12.08) it was unveiled.

Keene Copblockers were on the scene.

Keene Cop Block

Background

Can the acquisition of an armored vehicle by a group of folks who claim to have a “legitimate” right to initiate force a good thing?

Perhaps the key question to ask yourself – is the trend seen here in Keene and elsewhere, toward a more paramilitary police – conducive to the type of community in which you want to live?

We all want to live in a safe, prosperous, dynamic society. Perhaps the current top-down monopoly isn’t the best means.

The purpose of capturing and posting this content is ultimately to share ideas. For more: http://copblock.org/knowledge

Not in Keene? connect with a group in your area: http://copblock.org/groups