By Kat Kanning
July 10th, 2009

Dave Ridley stood up for what he believes in. He believes it is important for trials in this country to be open, both to the public and to the media. When trials are conducted in secret, it is because the government has something to hide. That usually means bad news for you and I.

An original function of the press was as a quasi fourth arm of the government, one whose job was to keep an eye on and report on the government and possible corruption therein. Dave Ridley is one of the few media men left who still fulfills this function.

In November of 2008, film maker Tom Caruso had driven up from NY to film a trial, but was denied. So on March 3rd, Dave set out to film the trial of activist Andrew Carroll in Keene District court, or be arrested. He was arrested. Dave, with his act of civil disobedience, insisted that we should be able to film supposedly public trials. For this, he was sentenced to 6 days in jail. He is in jail today.

The public is protected from nothing by locking this nonviolent reporter up. The only thing that is protected by Ridley's imprisonment is the government. A petty fiefdom is protected from being questioned by us peasants. I guess it worked, Long Live the King!!