Eminent Domainia V: Local Resident `victimizes’ Connecticut Police by Caleb Johnson
The Keene Free Press

It’s a tough job standing up for freedom. Just ask Lauren Canario. Canario, a current resident of Winchester, moved to New London, Connecticut from Las Vegas immediately following the Supreme Court’s Kelo decision. In Kelo, the Court decided that the town of New London could seize Suzette Kelo’s home and sell it to a private developer. Canario moved to New London to help the local residents by engaging in civil disobedience to oppose this tyrannical action by the New London government.

On the morning of September 22, Canario was arrested by the New London Police department as she peacefully read a book in front of one of the homes that was being boarded. She is being held on $5000 bail. I called Lt. Ackley of the New London Police Department to speak with him regarding Lauren’s arrest. For those who wish to contact Lt. Ackley personally, his phone number is 860-447-5281.

Lt. Ackley informed me that Canario has not been `cooperative’, apparently refusing to be fingerprinted or to move where she is told to move. She is also maintaining her right to remain silent. He told me that he has been victimized by her, as he has been forced to carry her where they want her to be, resulting in him hurting his back.

Of primary interest to me, as a concerned member of the press, is that Canario be treated well. Although denying my request to inspect the facilities and meet with the prisoner, Lt. Ackley expressed shock that anyone would doubt that Canario is being treated well. “Why wouldn’t she be treated well?” he asked me. As of this moment, Keene Free Press has been unable to verify that New London is ensuring Canario’s basic human rights.

Lt. Ackley is responsible for setting Canario’s ransom price, but balked when I suggested that he could lower it to $0 and free her. “Why should I do that?” he asked. “Perhaps because she is non-violent and there is no victim in this case?” I suggested to no avail.

As long as individuals can accept the painfully stupid concept that there can be a crime without a victim, Americans will be forced to endure more and more of this ill-treatment. It is unfathomable that individuals in America can be considered criminals for peaceful acts of civil disobedience. American leaders often condemn other countries for holding “political prisoners,” yet America has yet to remove the plank in its own eye, as American police are no less likely than anywhere else to hold someone captive as a political prisoner.

These actions continue only as a direct result of our consent. As long as any populace continues to respect “the Law” regardless of how antagonistic that law is to fundamental rights, we will continue to experience tyranny. When Americans realize that it is within their power to stand up to immoral laws, then we shall finally realize the American dream of freedom.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 23 September 2006 )

posted by Mike Lorrey at 11:11 AM

Eminent Domainia V: Local Resident `victimizes' Connecticut Police