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KIM STRAUB DUE TO BE RELEASED TODAY!
Kim Straub, in Tennessee who has been detained in a mental facility since early this past week, called this morning to report that her husband talked to the staff and she apparently will be able to leave the facility today.
We welcome her return home and look forward to her speaking to us about her ordeal. It will be a learning experience for all of us.
What I can say now is to emphasize that TI's should not enter a police station alone if at all possible. The presence of just one other person can make all the difference as far as whether someone will be detained by the police or be able walk out of the station on their own recognizance.
Kim originally went there to file a police report about a theft, however, along the way she decided it would also be good to pass around flyers.
Ok, secondly, passing out flyers in a police station is risky business. Again, if you are with one other person, it may work ok, however, it is generally not advised.
Third, now in Kim's case, there was the matter of a firearm. She was asked if she owned a gun. She replied that she did and that it was her right, which of course it is, and which of course, they knew. However, that's not what they were asking. They were wondering if she was armed and if she was going to go bonkers and shoot the place up!
Her response did not clarify that her pistol was at home. She was unarmed, but since they didn't know that, they began to move on her. They stealthily came from behind and handcuffed her and away she went.
To them she added up to a possible threat: a lone person, armed and passing around crazy-sounding material = a possible danger to herself or others.
We hope to hear more from Kim about her ordeal and particularly about her treatment while at the facility during an upcoming call.
EXCHANGE WITH THE PRESS SECRETARY OF THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY
I have recently become acquainted with the Press Secretary of the Libertarian Party. This is significant for us since this is one of the political parties that knows about targeted individuals (and he does), and supports their rights to privacy. Therefore we would do well to support those candidates for political office whenever we have the opportunity.
According to the press secretary, they currently have 800 Libertarian candidates for political offices across the US. They are mostly running for state legislature positions.
For us, this could mean possible legislation in support of targeted individuals.
Here is the list he sent me if you'd like to review them. These are all the Libertarian candidates for political office, which may include some incumbents as well:
https://www.lp.org/2018-candidates/
In reviewing their platform, I discovered this section on Privacy.
"Libertarians advocate individual privacy and government transparency. We are committed to ending government’s practice of spying on everyone. We support the rights recognized by the Fourth Amendment to be secure in our persons, homes, property, and communications. Protection from unreasonable search and seizure should include records held by third parties, such as email, medical, and library records."
https://www.lp.org/platform/
THE PASSING OF VICTORIA BERRY
Last Thursday evening, members of the Conference Call Church held a memorial service for one of its former members, Victoria "Vicky" Berry. Vicky was a TI from the Cleveland, Ohio area who passed away on September 23.
THE GENEVA SUMMIT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY - There is someone who would like to attend this event, however he/she wishes some company. Those interested in attending with him/her may write to: gcdurnin@juno.com
The Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, sponsored by a cross-regional coalition of 25 human rights organizations, is proud to announce that on March 19th, 2019, we will hold our 11th annual conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
Courageous dissidents and champions of human rights from around the globe—victims of the world’s worst regimes—will come to share their story.
The Geneva Summit will be held during the U.N. Human Rights Council session and will turn a vital spotlight on the most urgent human rights situations which require the attention of the United Nations.
Victims will share their harrowing experiences of human rights violations by such regimes as North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Turkey and Russia.
Testimonies of the human rights heroes at the Geneva Summit—reported by CNN, Reuters, Le Monde, and many more—are inspiring and unforgettable. Please join us in honoring their courage!
genevasummit.org
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