Tag Archives | Emperor Evan

100+ Anti-Prohibitionists Sing in the State House with the Peaceful Assembly Choir

by Agent on April 22, 2011 in Shire Choir | Comments { 2 }

The Peaceful Assembly Choir had our most successful performance to date with anti-prohibitionists filling the lobby of the State House to sing “Weeda Claus’s Chronic Christmas Carols” penned by the talented Richard Onley. Below are the videos, shot by Rob Nair for Talley.TV, as well as the lyrics.

Violent Blight
to the tune of “Silent Night“

Violent blight.
Horrible plight.
Decent folks live in fright–
Not of hoodlums who murder and steal,
But of laws implemented with zeal.
Laws do more harm than dru-ugs.
La-aws do more harm than drugs.

Violent blight.
Horrible plight.
Does it work? No, not quite.
Millions forced into programs like D.A.R.E.
Drugs abound, and are found ev’rywhere.
Just admit it, you’ve fai-ailed.
Ju-ust admit it, you’ve failed.

Violent blight.
Horrible plight.
No debate–black and white.
Prohibition fell flat once before–
Now it’s mushroomed a thousand times more.
End the Drug War toda-ay.
E-end the Drug War today.

Drug War Cops are Raiding the School
to the tune of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town“

The dog’s on alert,
The Taser’s on HIGH,
Line up in the hall, and shut up or die!
Drug War cops are raiding the school.

A shiny tin badge
Makes anything right.
Your A student sleeps on concrete tonight.
Drug War cops are raiding the school.
There’s no recourse to justice,
No reasonable doubt.
They’ll jail the good and bad alike–
Let the system sort them out!

Your record is blotched,
We’ve broken your arm.
Good thing we’re here to keep you from harm.
Drug War cops are raiding the school.
Any day now, we’ll raid your school!

WAR ON DRUGS
to the tune of “Silver Bells“

Politicians’
Inquisitions,
SWaT teams break down your door.
No one’s safe from an unnamed informant.

False arresting,
Urine testing
Target helpless and poor.
Those who profit, though, keep up the chant:

War on Drugs!
War on Drugs!
“If we save one kid, it’s worth it.”
Rule of law.
Tooth and claw.
Who cares how many we harm?

Cops teach courses,
D.A.R.E. endorses:
“Turn your own parents in,”
Not unlike the old Soviet Union.

No police state!
Join the Free State!
This is where freedom’s been!
Stop the Drug War before it stops you!

War on Drugs!
War on Drugs!
Really a war against people.
Broker this
Armistice–
Help bring about peace on Earth.
You and me
Can be free.
Forge liberty in our time.

Hands off Weeda Claus
to the tune of “Here Comes Santa Claus“

Hands off Weeda Claus,
Hands off Weeda Claus,
There’s no criminal here.
He grew some pot–
And so what? It’s not
as unsafe even as beer.
Amateur farming
Isn’t harming
Anyone noticeably.
Good folks live and let live and that’s why
Weeda Claus must be free.

Hands off Weeda Claus,
Hands off Weeda Claus,
There’s no criminal here.
It’s not your business
To make prison his
Home for over a year.
If you restrict him,
He’s made the victim
Disproportionately.
Don’t hurt him for hurtin’ nobody–
Weeda Claus must be free.

Hands off Weeda Claus,
Hands off Weeda Claus,
There’s no criminal here.
His providings
Brought glad tidings
Of bright Yuletide cheer.
Man reaps the yield
Of forest and field–
That was God’s guarantee.
Who are we to argue with Genesis?
Weeda Claus must be free.

Hands off Weeda Claus,
Hands off Weeda Claus,
There’s no criminal here.
He’s emblematic
Of thematic
Principles once held dear:
Rights! And freedom!
Go ahead–read ‘em
In the words “Don’t Tread On Me”!
Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness!
Weeda Claus must be free.

Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness!
Weeda Claus must be free.

Previously the Peaceful Assembly Choir performed in front of the State House on the 5th of November.

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Evan Pierce Lauded for his Civil Disobedience

by Agent on April 22, 2011 in Campaigns, Occupy the Courts | Comments { 0 }

Ian Freeman, a fellow director of the Civil Disobedience Evolution Fund, had some nice things to say about Evan at Free Keene.com to accompany a Liberty on Tour video featuring the Free Grafton Emperor:

If the first wave of liberty-lovers doing civil disobedience were people like Russell and Kat Kanning and Lauren Canario, with six heroic arrests under his belt, Evan Pierce may be the most prolific disobedient/noncooperative of the “second wave”. (New waves are necessary as each person can only take so many charges before life gets far more difficult, due to multiple convictions.) Evan’s actions are always very inspiring, as you will surely see. Evan moved to New Hampshire a few years ago from Austin, Texas and immediately jumped into the world of civil disobedience and noncooperation. This video covers his recent arrest at Grafton superior court for wearing a paper hat as well a prior arrest in Keene for smoking cannabis during Pumpkin Fest. Evan is one of the bravest activists in New Hampshire. If you love freedom, whether you are interested in civil disobedience, street theatre, media or politics, you should follow his advice in this video and move to New Hampshire! (courtesy Liberty on Tour):

In addition to being my Free Grafton neighbor Evan and I are fellow members of the Peaceful Assembly Choir. We met during my tour with the Motorhome Diaries and were both part of the Liberty Caravan to New Hampshire in 2009.

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Rally to Support Emperor Evan

by Agent on April 19, 2011 in Uncategorized | Comments { 2 }

On Sunday Evan Pierce, the demockratically elected Emperor of Free Grafton, had a welcome surprise courtesy of Free Keene activists. Outside the window of his cage at the Cheshire County Corrections Facility he was able to see several supporters with signs that read, “I <3 hats,” “Only cowards are afraid of hats,” “Think for Yourself,” “Jury Nullification is for Winners,” and the classic “No Victim No Crime.”

Stephanie Murphy called into the Sunday Edition of Free Talk Live to discuss the sign waving pep rally.

Evan’s mom, Debbie, shares his reaction:

He definitely saw the signs and appreciated the event! He can have visitors today. He said the best time is between 2 and 5, so if you will please get that word out. I know he would love to see as many people as possible.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to make signs and then to wave them in solidarity with a peaceful guy caged because he disobeyed bad laws.

Photos courtesy of Heika Courser.

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Update on Evan Pierce, the caged Emperor of Free Grafton

by Agent on April 16, 2011 in Occupy the Courts | Comments { 1 }

Here’s the footage of Evan’s kidnapping by armed employees of Grafton County:

Here’s Evan’s arraignment in front of Peter Bornstein:

Several concerned members of the Shire community have been posting updates on CDEvolution’s page on Facebook to share information on Evan Pierce’s recent kidnapping for the “criminal contempt” of wearing a hat in Grafton County Superior Court. Peter Bornstein, the man wearing a black robe during the State’s prosecution of Bob “Weeda Claus” Constantine, suspended a $500 extortion and banned Evan from the rest of Bob’s trial.

When friends checked on Evan, after the court had closed for the day, they were told that he would not be released and instead would be transferred to the Cheshire County Corrections Facility. He is wanted by Keene Law Enforcement for smoking a marijuana cigarette at the 2009 Pumpkin Festival.

Thanks Lance Weber, Stephanie Murphy, Debbie Pierce Gomez and Ademo Freeman for providing updates about Evan’s situation.

Unfortunately the State has not announced the date and date and time when they will release their hostage.

Stephanie wrote:

He was supposed to be in 7.6 days starting on Monday night when he arrived ($384 fine at $50/day = 7.6 days), but had already been caged for a few days when initially arrested, so we are still not sure when he’ll be released.

Attorney Lance Weber wrote:

I spoke with Captain Clark at the CCDOC who was unable to explain to me why Evan will be kept in State custody for more than 8 days before he hung up on me. I called back and left a voice mail for Superintendent Van Wickler explaining my surprise at the Captain’s behavior and asking for an explanation about the length of the sentence.

Evan’s mom wrote:

Just got off the phone with him. He has one hour out of his cell a day. The time varies each day. He has still not been told how long he will be there. Again, they tell each of us something different. Evan spends his days reading, sleeping, and doing some yoga. His message to all is: “Peace and love! Thanks to all the thoughts, support, and letters and stuff.” He said the food is not too bad. Too much corn syrup. He has only received one postcard from Neal and a letter from Lance. They would not give him the newsletter from Lance. Apparently he has not recieved my postcard either

via Ademo Voluntaryist Freeman of Cop Block:

I just got off the phone with Evan! He said he had a cell with a nice view of the road and the river! : ) He has some scifi to read, but would sure like some more books and letters. They tell him he will be in there until the 20th, next Wednesday, but Lance is going to remind them of the two days he has already served, so maybe Monday. He does not want to be bailed out or the fine to be paid. $384. He was very appreciative of everyone’s support. I also filled him in on Bob’s sentence. I asked about visitors and they told him not until Monday. Not so sure about that, he said. So, everyone planning to visit, just call first! Evan said he would try to call me again tomorrow or the next day. He sounded ok. He is not being harmed physically.

After learning that Evan is feeling pretty down, Free Keene activists started organizing a sign-waving event for Evan across the street from where he is being held captive. Activists will meet at the Keene Activism Center for some sign-making first.

Thanks for everyone’s support of Evan His mom tells CD Evolution what she thinks about her son and his actions:

As hard as it has been knowing Evan is in jail, I have to respect his rights to support his and his friends’ freedoms. I hate knowing that he is in a cage! I love that he is being supported by so many others. That helps me deal with the helpless feeling being over 2000 miles away. (That will change as soon as I can swing it!!) Evan is one of the most compassionate, sensitive, peaceful, intelligent, and loving people I have ever known. I am as proud of him as a mom could be. It is an honor to be the Emperor’s Mom!

What you can do in addition to attending the rally outside the jail:

  • Call 603-903-1600 to check on Evan’s safety and to persuade Cheshire County to avoid an international incident by releasing Free Grafton’s peaceful emperor.

    • Send Evan a letter thanks to Mail-to-Jail or directly:

    Evan Pierce
    Cheshire County D.O.C.
    825 Marlboro Road
    Keene, NH 03431 or via Mail-to-Jail.

    The following video shows Evan back in March of 2010 being judged by a State of New Hampshire employee:

    ‘Like’ the Civil Disobedience Evolution Fund of Facebook to get breaking news on the good people who break bad laws.

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    Supporters Stand in the Cold Rain to Support Jury Nullification at Grafton “Superior” Court

    by Agent on April 15, 2011 in Misc | Comments { 0 }

    Normally, jury outreach is a quiet affair with concerned members of the community traveling to area courthouses so they can pass out Fully Informed Jury Association (FIJA) literature to members of the public. Often this outreach is done on the day of the month the State selects people for their juries.

    Bob Constantine was on trial earlier this week which is ironic because he had already been handing out jury nullification literature to jurors. The State kidnapped him and stole his property when they accused him of “manufacturing a controlled substance.” Bob handed out FIJA literature to the jurors selected for the State’s prosecution of Nurse Patricia Smith but these jurors were not convinced. They found her guilty of growing medicine in the form of marijuana so she’ll be spending a couple of years in a State of New Hampshire cage. Many of us knew we had to be more successful with Bob.

    With so many concerned friends and neighbors, the jurors would receive a much more enthusiastic form of outreach from April 11th to the 13th in front of the Grafton Superior Court. Several of the nearby sovereigns got together at the Man Cave and with many voluntarily contributed art supplies, we had us a sign making potluck!

    The affair actually took two days with Rob Nair, Lindsay Dean and Emperor Evan Pierce doing an extraordinary job of making signs representing some basic truths that they hoped to share. Thank all three of you so much for working long hours to make some truly beautiful signs that spoke truth to power.

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    Peaceful Assembly Choir performs for Canaan Police Employees

    by Agent on December 24, 2010 in Misc, Shire Choir | Comments { 4 }

    The Peaceful Assembly Choir hasn’t been together for the last few weeks because Kat & Russell Kanning left the Shire to care for an ailing family member. They recently returned to Free Grafton and, starting with today’s free concert in the lobby of the Canaan Police Department, the choir is thrilled to be back performing every day until Christmas. Our next gig is at a Christmas Eve Shindig at Hoyt Park and on Christmas we’ll be celebrating ”Meatmus” with 40 other Shire Activists near Manchester. At each event we hand out printed copies of the Chronic Christmas Carols to encourage participation from everyone. We do this to raise awareness of the State’s agression against our peaceful Free Grafton neighbor and friend, Robert “Weeda Claus” Constantine.

    At 3PM today I was joined by Kat, Russell, Evan and Rich to sing in the lobby of the Canaan Police Department. Kira Dillon was cool enough to take video for Talley.TV so I could perform with the choir. This holiday season we’ve performed to many receptive gatherings but today’s audience was special because if anyone needed to hear the messages contained in the songs composed by Richard Onley, it is the men employed by the Canaan Police Department. Sadly, on September 4th, 2009 these men trespassed on Bob’s private property to kidnap him and steal some of his “illegal” plants. Bob talked to Talley.TV about his experience:

    I looked out around the corner of my house and there were a couple of police cruisers, or actually SUVs and some other vehicles in my driveway. I walked out into the yard and was met by one of the police officers who said, “We have a warrant.” I was led around my property. There were 7 police officers here. It’s not a very nice experience to have the peace and solitude of your home broken. This is my home, or at least I thought it was. They came here. I’ve never hurt anybody. They went through my house, went through all the dresser drawers, went through all that kind of stuff. The end result was I was taken to Canaan, NH police station – you know, the mug shot, the fingerprints, the whole bit.

    Bob continues to describe the individuals employed by the Canaan Police Department who aggressed against him:

    The real criminals are the people who came to my house, 7 armed men. This is a peaceful place. They took my life away from me and they don’t want to admit it. They say they’re just doing their job. I don’t buy that. People need to have personal responsibility and hold to that. I feel like I’m the victim here. I have been victimized, and so have my family, and so have my friends. It’s wrong, what they’re doing. Putting people like me in jail doesn’t do a darn thing. Are they going to correct me? I have my moral bearings. I know right from wrong.

    As peaceful people who care about justice, the choir hopes to raise awareness about an agressive police department that continues to kidnap people for growing plants on their own property. The State can’t produce a single person victimized by Robert Constantine. Actually, thanks to the efforts of the employees of the Canaan Police Department, Bob IS the victim.

    Speaking of aggression, Sergeant Todd Baravalle (pictured) pushed 19 year-old Kira Dillon while she was filming the choir for Talley.TV. Instead of asking her to move out of the way so he could close a door he put a hand on her. Todd looks like he weighs over 200 lbs, while Kira weighs less than 100. Ironically, this happened during the choirs performance of Violent Blight to the tune of “Silent Night:”

    Violent blight.
    Horrible plight.
    Decent folks live in fright–
    Not of hoodlums who murder and steal,
    But of laws implemented with zeal.
    Laws do more harm than dru-ugs.
    La-aws do more harm than drugs.
    Violent blight.
    Horrible plight.
    Does it work?  No, not quite.
    Millions forced into programs like D.A.R.E.
    Drugs abound, and are found ev’rywhere.
    Just admit it, you’ve fai-ailed.
    Ju-ust admit it, you’ve failed.
    Violent blight.
    Horrible plight.
    No debate–black and white.
    Prohibition fell flat once before–
    Now it’s mushroomed a thousand times more.
    End the Drug War toda-ay.
    E-end the Drug War today.

    Todd, according to his biography on canaanpolice.com, was a school resource officer so it’s likely that he didn’t care for our critique of D.A.R.E. But that’s still no reason to push a girl acting peacefully.

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