Never do anything against conscience even if the state demands it.
– Albert Einstein
Last Wednesday, March 25th videographer Dave Ridley was kidnapped by Dennis Lynihan and Marc Anderson of the Nashua, NH Police Department when interviewing “representatives” arriving at the Nashua Radisson for an event with Joe Biden.
Dave, the victim, was held in a cage overnight and charged with “criminal trespass.” As he notes in this video, one of the first things he wanted to accomplish when free(r) was to hold a demonstration. Done.
Dave is a stand-up dude and one of the most-visible recruiters for the Free State Project. His quirky style and on-the-fly stories have gained the attention of many. I’ve never seen nor heard of Dave doing anything to violate the non-aggression principle.
There’s no doubt in my mind that he was arrested simply because he questions the Statist Quo. His captors acted knowing full-well that their risk of being held accountable for kidnapping and caging a peaceful human was almost nil* since they wear badges on their chest.
If you feel similarly, let the real criminals know that the rights-violating actions of Dennis Lynihan and Marc Anderson aren’t going unnoticed.
If you live in the area, stop funding their thuggery. If you live out of the area, call the Radisson and let them know that you won’t do business with them since they assisted with and then turned a blind eye to Dave’s treatment. And since not everyone is as Internet savvy as you, call the local paper and encourage them to inform their readers of this incident.
Nashua, NH PD – 603.594.3500
Radisson Hotel Nashua - 603.888.9970
Nashua Telegraph – 603.594.6467
And feel free to share this post/video and related content from RidleyReport.com and FreeKeene.com with those in your sphere. Thanks in advance!
*This is the same criminal outfit that last year used force against attendees at a peaceful 420 celebration.
Did the cops have NO IDEA who this guy was?? BIG mistake
I am curious to see the remaining footage (if any) of the incident. Did you leave promptly or play games by taking your time? Did you get in your car and leave or stay? It appears that you “doctored the footage” to your advantage, ie., cut the video short, left out pertinent footage, ect. Just curious.
You are all Idiots.
A few short comments.
1.) Why are the free staters so angry all the time?
2.) Dave Ridley is not a great guy, he is a terrible activist who cannot or will not engage in thoughtful discussion with people who, while interested by his position, may not be fully engaged.
3.) Private property is private property. When you’re asked to get off, you’re expected to leave as quickly as Mr. Ridley expects police officers to give him their name and badge number.
4.) Ron, I am sure the police officers knew exactly who this was, he’s been a nuisance in southern NH for years.
I support much of the libertarian agenda, but it’s actions like these perpetrated by people like this that give libertarianism a bad name.
Watch the video. He is clearly leaving while carefully walking backwards making sure to record the every move of the men with badges stalking him. After all he was told to leave in a threatening manner with 4 men marching toward him. I wouldn’t turn my back on these armed thugs either. His only protection in that situation is his camera. And sure enough as soon as Dennis Lynihan knew he was off camera he immediately assaulted Dave Ridley by grabbing Dave’s testicles. Thug. It is too bad Radisson has to get bad press from this. I am sure the employee that asked Dave to leave had no idea public servants would act in the way they did. http://www.youtube.com/user/RidleyReport?blend=1&ob=5#p/u/15/6GqaUfaFLg4
What a total douchebag(Riley). You “activists” prove time and time again to just be troublemakers. You can’t go on private property, harass cops with your cameras, and when they tell you to leave, you don’t have any right to question why, ITS BECAUSE IT”S PRIVATE PROPERTY!. And the fact that he was SLOWLY backing away, still being a total smartass, he deserved to be arrested. There should be extended jail time for people like this prick.
Oh please. You guys are really ridiculous. Stop instigating fake altercations with the police. What are you? High schoolers? Grow up!
I can see both sides on this one. I do think that the PD acted outside their duties by arresting Dave. However, I do think that Dave instigated the arrest. When an officer does give you a lawful order (such as leaving private property at the request of the property owner), you should comply immediately and in the most expedient way available to you.
The order to vacate the premises was a lawful one, and using force to protect property rights is within the lawful duties of the PD. It is a shining example of the triple standard (badges vs. civilians vs. local tax base [businesses]), but ultimately the trespassing charge is legit.
I have seen some very true and real violations of the public trust committed on camera through this and other sites, and I do believe very strongly that society is a collection of individuals and law exists to mediate the interactions between those individuals so that the rights of all are protected.
No edit on these comments.
To clarify, what I mean by:
” I do think that the PD acted outside their duties by arresting Dave.”
Should actually read that I do think that the PD acted outside the limits of necessary use of force.
Anyone else notice how the people who comment on how these “annoying libertarian protesters” deserve to be arrested for “instigating” police usually do not actually state a valid reason WHY they should be arrested? He WAS LEAVING AS ORDERED. He has every right to film police, it is dangerous to walk fast backwards, he was walking at a pretty decent speed. Regardless of whether you approve of their methods, these activists are trying to defend all of us against the rapidly expanding usurpation of our rights. Yes, he should expect to be harassed for his behavior and attitude- THE PROBLEM IS NOT HIS BEHAVIOR- IT’S THAT HE SHOULD HAVE TO EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN! We should NOT have to expect our police to act in this manner. Keep on them Dave, and keep filming. As for the silly songs, well, Freedom of Speech sounds good to me brother