Elizabeth Dinan
Source: bostonherald.com
PORTSMOUTH — Members of the group Cop Block, who say they organized to hold police officers accountable by filming them at work, announced plans to protest in the city today.
The group’s founder, who goes by the name Ademo Freeman, was arrested earlier this week in Manchester on charges alleging he defaced that city’s police headquarters with chalk and resisted arrest while "cop blocking." According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, Cop Block members followed and filmed Manchester police officers on Friday night, then followed up by writing anti-police slogans on the police station during a protest the following day.
Freeman told the Portsmouth Herald he and others are coming to the city to conduct "man on the street interviews" and some "nighttime cop blocking." According to the group’s Web site, cop blocking entails "documenting police actions — whether they are illegal, immoral or just a waste of time and resources." Cop blocking has entailed filming police stops and recording calls made to police departments.
"We seek to highlight the double standard that some grant to those with badges," according to the group's Web site. "Cop Block is a decentralized project supported by a diverse group of individuals united by their shared goals of police accountability, education of individual rights and the dissemination of effective tactics to utilize while filming police."
Deputy Police Chief Stephen DuBois said he has no concerns about the protest plans.
"Our officers are used to working in an environment dealing with distractions," he said. "Every weekend, they're out in front of a bar with a hundred people, half of them drunk. A lot of our officers have had experience making arrests in front of a thousand people. It's not going to change how they do their job."
DuBois said Portsmouth police have "a good track record" when it comes to civil liberties. As examples, he cited the open carry of a holstered handgun during a presidential visit, the videotaping of police at a traffic stop arrest and the breaking up of an underage house party.
"We respect the rights of all people, and if (Cop Block members) show up, I'm sure the officers' high standards will shine through," he said. "Videotaping people doing things is such a common occurrence these days; it's part of the environment my guys have to work in. Most phones have video capabilities, so if you're out there doing your work, you're probably going to get videotaped."
Freeman's online biography cites him as the founder of Cop Block, "which he started due to his personal experiences with law enforcement."
"He's the victim of the war on drugs, twice," his profile states. He and seven others were arrested Saturday at a protest at Manchester police headquarters. Freeman was arrested under his given name of Adam Mueller, 28, of Jackson, Wis., and was charged with criminal mischief and two charges alleging resisting arrest.
Cop Block's Web site reports there were up to 40 protesters holding signs and distributing literature to protest two alleged acts of police brutality in that city. Through Facebook, Cop Block is asking anyone from the Portsmouth area to report stories they'd like to discuss while in the city, or people the group should interview with regard to police complaints.
The group is reportedly affiliated with the Free State Project.
