Attempted Assassination in Ontario

[arvg]

We interrupt this program to bring you breaking news:

Today, on October 21st, 817, in broad daylight, among a crowd of supporters and onlookers, assassins fired six bullets at Citizen Katz in the space of three seconds, hitting the Gubernatorial Candidate and a local police chief.

Electoral and station security have responded quickly with help of the local population, to secure the safety of Citizen Katz and apprehend all those involved.

The belief that elements of the Liberty Armed and Police Forces, who may or may not have been involved, has caused Toronto Station to raise its shields and arm its weapon grids, its station managers and local officials fearful of further attacks.

As this story progresses, we will bring you more news.

::ALL THE NEWS THAT'S FIT FOR YOU!::COLONY NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN::

[MB52]

This just in, we've just had an update on the current situation, we have received a comment from Deputy Chief Karl Agathon regarding the situation.

"The LPI is currently in joint operations with the LSF and LN, investigating these startling reports, however I'd like to point out some errors in the previous report, bringing the entire report into a suspicious light.. the biggest flaw is claiming the LPI Chief was shot on Toronto station. I'll counter that argument by simply stating that the LPIs only Chief of Police is most certainly alive and well, as is not stationed in the Ontario station. At this time I can certainly say that the LPI did not have anything to do with these attacks on the terrorist known as Mr. Katz. Indeed, we've confirmed that Mr. Katz has known affiliations with a group known as the "SCRA" a group who very recently assaulted Westpoint military academy, killing many recruit officers in a unprovoked attack. We've also lost all contact with the Station, and are under the impression that these terrorists have taken every lawful citizen on that station as hostages, even killing several officers. As more information is discovered we will keep the media advised, however we are dealing with the situation and hope to end it peacefully.

As of this moment an arrest warrant has been released for the Mr. Katz and all of his known associates.

Below is an image of the terrorist



If any citizens see or are approached by anyone claiming to have ties with this Terrorist or his group, please contact your local LPI office immediately. These men are likely armed and extremely dangerous. Rest assured, justice will come and these men will face the consequences of their crimes."


Well there you have it from the mouth of our trusted guardians.

As this story progresses, we will bring you more news.

::ALL THE NEWS THAT'S FIT FOR YOU!::COLONY NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN::

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I’ll carry this flag
To the grave if I must
Because it’s flag that I love
And a flag that I trust

[arvg]

This just in, conclusive evidence showing that Citizen Katz wasn't even a member of the SCRA at the time of the West Point attacks, as well as clear security footage of the Denver Colorado plants showing him working at the time of the attacks casts doubt on the LPI claims of terrorism.

Heated debates are now springing up about the sanctity of the Liberty First Amendment rights.

The enshrined freedoms of Assembly, Association, and Conscience.

More to follow, as the Ontario Democratic Party is preparing a press conference.

::ALL THE NEWS THAT'S FIT FOR YOU!::COLONY NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN::

[arvg]

INCOMING TRANSMISSION
COMM ID: Citizen Katz
LOCATION: Press Conference and live broadcast
TARGET ID: Open

It appears that attempting to shoot me isnt enough, now the LPI seeks a wrongful arrest warrant against me.

Very well, effective immediately I am surrendering to the Ontarian Authorities and exerting my right to a speedy trial. I am appealing immediately for a Writ of Habeas Corpus to be presented to the Ontarian Magistrate within the prescribed 48 hours of the arrest.

I remind you of one very important fact, without proof there will be no guilty verdict. It is my right to face this proof in a court, and the presiding court here is Ontarian. Double Jeopardy will prevent any further trial on this matter.

If you wish to impinge upon my first Amendment rights, then by all means come.

I have the freedom of Assembly.

I have the freedom of Association.

I have the freedom of Conscience.

Oakes test will prove that you have violated these rights.

Association with a ANY Organization is not a crime. I look forward to you appearing in court and reviewing non-existent evidence placing me at West-Point Academy at the time of the attacks. I look forward to you proving that I have harmed any one or any thing in Liberty.

You have to prove in fact that I have committed any crime at all through my association.

I look forward to beating you, and settling this issue once and for all.

Without evidence there is no extradition, without evidence there is no conviction, without evidence you will not stand.



Citizen Katz

END TRANSMISSION

[Virus]

The House of Liberty, Second Judicial Circuit, Southern District of Ontario, ss.:

We command you that the body of Citizen Alvin Katz, in your custody detained, as it is said, together with the day and cause of his caption and detention, you safely have before Honorable James T. Kirthus, Liberty Circuit Judge for the Second Judicial Circuit, within the circuit and district aforesaid, to do and receive all and singular those things which the said judge shall then and there consider of him in this behalf; and have you then and there this writ.

Witness the Honorable James T. Kirthus, Liberty Circuit Judge for the Second Judicial Circuit, this 25th day of October, 817, and in the 817th year of the Independence of the House of Liberty.

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Into the Maelstrom - A Measure of Salvation - Reaver Company Database

[bluntpencil2001]

Commentator: Hello and we're back with our esteemed guests Professor McBottom of Cambridge University's Economics department. The Honourable George Jones, retired Liberty supreme court justice, and Mike from Saskatchewan.

Mike: Hello! :: waves ::

Commentator: Gentlemen, as you know the arrest of Citizen Katz has sparked a great constitutional crisis circulating around the First Amendment right of Association...

Prof: I'd like to stop you there, I can see where this is going, and let me assure you there is precedence for this kind of trial. Citizen Katz is a terrorist, out of his own mouth he says he works with them... I say lock him up...

Judge: The law is more complicated than that. This isn't cops and robbers. You don't run around shooting someone because they have a flashing logo over their head that says "I'm a terrorist kill me" we actually have to have a crime to have occoured before that.

Mike: Awwwwwww...

Commentator: Yes but what is Citizen Katz's legal right here?

Judge: well we're basically saying, by arresting him, that he has no freedom of Assembly to meet with who he chooses, we're saying he has no right to Association with any group contrary to the agenda of the current administration. And lastly we're saying he has no right to Freedom of Conscience, which is where he is allowed to object to the policies of the government and express those opinions in any way he chooses...

Prof.: Your saying, then, that he has the right to blow people up.

Judge: not at all, but that is the point here, isn't it? If he blows people up, as you put it, he should go to jail for those crimes. But So far there is no conclusive proof that Citizen Katz has blown anyone up. Or in fact, any proof provided that he has helped anyone blow someone up. You see without an actual crime, there is no trial. And Association is not a crime.

Mike: I like to blow stuff up...

Prof: So now we're saying the constitution of Liberty has enshrined the right for its citizens to hang around with criminals and terrorists, gabbing around the water cooler...

Judge: Yes, as long as that is what they are doing, certainly it does. You see, and here is where the prosecution has made a grave error, there is no evidence to the contrary.

There is no proof that Citizen Katz has plotted or planned any terrorist acts, in fact, by all accounts, he is quite a peaceful man. If we want to arrest people for association, we have to amend the constitution first, and we cannot arrest people for acts which were legal when they committed them.

Mike: I'm plotting something... something BIG!

Prof: theres the fact that he started a riot

Judge: Katz was shot, unconscious on the ice, it was televised. He didnt start that riot, or even entice any such thing. That would be a terribly bad thing to charge him with, basically they would be breeching his right to Assembly, right there. No they will be going after his Associations.

Prof: You can't have government sanctioned tea parties with terrorists and criminals...

Judge: Have you seen the New York tradelanes lately? That's all it is up there, tea parties with pirates.

Judge: But you don't see the Liberty Navy arresting them, no.

Judge: Two known ships could sit next to each other and discuss all kinds of violence, with a Liberty Navy fighter watching and listening in. And they'd do nothing, unless they had evidence of conspiracy to commit violent acts. No, this is direct targeting of a political campaigner, it is wrong and we should know better in Liberty.

Prof: But, you have to hear yourself, you're saying that a Communist has the right to run for governor!

Judge: Sure he does, just like every citizen of Liberty has that right. It is why we have freedoms here. We're not Rheinland, we're not Kusari... and forgive me Professor I know you're wife is Bretonian, but they don't exactly have the best track record for freedoms either.

Mike: I should shoot the President...

Prof: No? Well maybe they have a point there Judge, I mean. Gods... we're talking about the Coalition here...

Judge: No, right now we are talking Political Independence for Ontario, and a Gubernatorial election. Citizen Katz has made it quite clear that he would hold a referendum on the Coalition after independence. It is legal, it is the correct way to do this, and like it or not, once Ontario separates, it is an Ontarian choice.

Prof: How would you vote?

Judge: What?

Prof: How would you vote, if you were a citizen in Ontario?

Judge: It is a complicated question. I like Katz's policies, I do, but I love Liberty.

As of right now I might vote for him, because he has the right idea, I might even vote for separation because I think it is high time that a message was sent to the Administration of Liberty that something is terribly wrong in Liberty and has been since the war started... but vote to Join the Coalition, no I think I'd draw the line there.

Mike: If I join the coalition do you think they'd make me president?

Commentator: Right, moving on, could Alvin Katz be legitimately tried for anything? There has been talk that secession itself is unconstitutional, but we've never come across such an issue before...

Prof: Well, looked like he started a riot to me. And if we got things sorted out and outlawed association with Communists, terrorists and foreign powers, I'd be all for it.

Judge: We'd need evidence that he did anything illegal, and if we did amend the constitution to outlaw association with certain groups, he couldn't be tried for it, since it occurred before it was illegal. Secession itself would have to be debated in the Supreme Court, but arguing in favour of it isn't illegal...

He might have to suggest that the constitution be amended to allow such, then go about voting on secession...

Rioting, well, this is for the courts to decide, but I seriously doubt that getting shot at by a would-be assassin can seriously constitute an attempt to cause trouble.

Prof: Why else was he there, huh? Come on, don't be so gullible!

Mike: Looked like he was there for the hockey, eh?

Commentator: And that's all we've got time for! Now, the weather in your area...

---

[Zapp]

Excerpts from a press release by the Chief of Police Matt Myers...

"...There is no warrant for the arrest of 'Citizen Katz' as of this moment. Deputy Chief Agathon spoke rashly and out of turn, and has been reprimanded privately for this..."

"...as for what he says about having freedom of assembly, association, and speech, well... if he's so well versed with the Liberty Constitution, he should know that such rights are only protected if they do not lead to the harm of others or in the case of fomenting rebellion and/or treason..."

"...Due to rioting on Toronto station and the overwhelming of LPI forces, we have for the moment given the order for our officers to depart. I'm not at liberty *sound of numerous reporters shouting questions, Myers raises his voice* NOT AT LIBERTY TO DISCUSS FUTURE PLANS. That is all!"

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[bluntpencil2001]

A press release later came from the office of one Press and Public Relations Officer Mendel, being found on various corners of the neural net, as well as various print sources.

Liberty Police Incorporated has completely and utterly failed the people of Ontario today. It has let an employee, one Deputy Chief Agathon, in a position of power and responsibility over citizens of Liberty, to commit the crimes of libel and slander against Mister Alvin Katz, calling him a terrorist with no evidence whatsoever.

In a civilised society, such as Ontario, such as Liberty, this is not legal at all. When law enforcement officials of rank flagrantly break the law, libelling and slandering upstanding citizens, one is left questioning the wisdom of the state in having a capitalist corporation protecting its citizens, which it has also failed in its duty to do, allowing one of its own employees, one Mister Shaughnessy, as well as Mister Katz, to be shot by would-be assassins.

Murder was only prevented by the heroic actions of the people of Toronto Station, who have reported that it was uniformed government agents carrying out this atrocity, which then caused the chain reaction leading to the chaos seen on site now. Liberty Police Incorporated are now in breach of contract by refusing to maintain public order and safety and refusing to apprehend those in connection to the attempted murder of candidate for Governor, Alvin Katz.

It appears to us that the government are trying to remove people that they consider a nuisance, instead of engaging in debate. The opinion in the Katz camp is that they are sliding towards corporate fascism. Right now, the LPI deal with wayward lawbreakers within their ranks, issuing private reprimands instead of letting the judiciary handle the case. After all, the LPI are hired by government to act as police men and women, not judges or lawmakers. It appears that they are consolidating these other branches into their purview, which is completely and utterly against the Constitution.

People of Liberty, take no more of this! Demand that we in Liberty respect the Constitution, that free speech be upheld, that the law apply to all equally! No longer will violence and greed be the rule of law here, but wisdom and compassion. The fascist jackboots of the Navy and the corporate greed of the so-called Police will oppress Ontario and Liberty no more.

People of Ontario, we urge you to use your peaceful, democratic rights to VOTE KATZ.

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[arvg]

They had been sitting in the court for over ten minutes, all eyes watching the empty prosecution table. The Local District Attorney shaking his head apologetically as no one from the LPI had bothered to appear in court, or even file proper papers with him.

Without anything to proceed, and an Official Liberty Circuit Judge staring down at him, he knew what was about to happen.

There was a rustle of papers from the bench.

Gentlemen? The Judge asked, his voice a rumble.

Citizen Katzs Lawyer stood up:

Since the LPI has put forth publically that they have retracted an illegal arrest warrent, and since you have already issued the Writ. We put forward a motion for an immediate dismissal, She said, walking around the table.

The State has obviously abandoned its case nolle proequi ("to be unwilling to pursue.") this is grounds for an immediate Dismissal with Prejudice. The state has obviously arrested my client with no hard evidence; it has shown flagrant disrespect to this court, and to my clients constitutional rights.

She paused and gestured to the empty chairs, They have failed to produce this evidence during discovery, they have failed to present it here at the Arraignment. And this, despite a Court Signed Writ of Habeas Corpus issued by you, your honour. The gross level of incompetence displayed by the LPI here today should serve as a sever reminder to us all that we have laws in Liberty, and that not even the LPI should be permitted to violate those laws.

//I am presuming there is no contest from the LPI as they made a rather public announcement stating that they have withdrawn said warrant. If there is, please inform me.

[Zapp]

Matt Myers stood before a crowd of reporters, even bigger than the last press conference. This was attributed to the fact that Admiral David Hale stood not a meter behind him. He spoke loud and clear into the microphone.

"Recently, I retracted the warrant that was placed by Deputy Chief Karl Agathon. The only reason I did this was that we weren't prepared legally to tackle him. Now, we are." He pulled out a sheet of paper and read from it.

"'The governor shall be at least thirty years old and shall have been a citizen of the Republic of Liberty for at least fifteen years and a resident of this state at least ten years next before election.' That is Section 4, Article 3 of the Constitution of Ontario. Mr. Katz is not a citizen of Liberty, nor has he been a resident of Ontario for ten years. Thus, he is withdrawn from the election."

The reporters gasped, then threw questions at Myers. He held up his hands, and silence reigned.

"Furthermore, as the instigator of all the unpleasantness on Toronto Station -- and the Ontario system in general -- I am issuing a real warrant for his arrest, effective immediately." He glared at the screen, as if he could feel his eyes piercing Katz's soul. "Don't bother coming to us, Mr. Katz, we'll be visiting you in due time. The charges include treason, affiliation with a group that is a stated enemy of this Republic, abusing freedom of speech and assembly to foment civil unrest, and all-together," he paused, smiling to show that the upcoming one was a joke, "being a pain in my ass. I'm open for two questions."

The reporters all but jumped at him, and he pointed at one at random.

"Mr. Myers, what actions do you plan on taking in regards to Toronto station?"

"The same any self-respecting Chief of Police would do when an entire station is consumed by anarchy. Next?" He pointed at another clamoring reporter.

"How do you respond to charges that the LPI has acted not only heavy-handedly, but in ways that breach the laws of Liberty?"

"We do what we must to maintain law and order such as they are, and those that wish to overthrow the government as-is or otherwise act in an illegal manner will seek to tear us down for that. As for being in breach of the laws of Liberty, we follow them to the T. You'll find that Katz is the one outside of the law at the moment."

He handed the podium over to Admiral Hale...

"Ladies and gentlemen, there are a few things of which I wish to remind you. We in Liberty are a moderate society. We hold free and fair elections, in a democratic fashion. My job is that of protecting those ideals and the people who live within this republic.

The SCRA, of which Mr Katz openly admits to being a member, is a terrorist organization. They have launched strikes against Liberty in the past, disregarding the lives of our citizens and and well-being of our economy, threatening to destroy everything which makes us Libertonian. They have no interest in democracy or freedom.

Mr Katz's rhetoric is convincing. His speeches are well prepared and his delivery is polished. However, what root in truth can that have when it's backed by a group such as the SCRA? They hold up the Coalition of Old Earth as role-models. The people who brought all the people of the four colonies to near destruction. This is the ideology we came to Sirius to escape. The SCRA's well documented violence against all the houses is surely more than enough to show to any thinking Libertonian man or woman that any power these people gain will be used for evil. Support for the SCRA is un-Libertonian.

The people they have brought with them to Ontario to support their attempt at violent revolution are criminals. The LRF have attacked trade convoys, made widows of wives and orphans of children. They are murderers in the name of the same ideological standpoint as the SCRA. The Unioners are far from ideological. They are pirates, thieves, petty criminals. They have been hired as muscle by the SCRA in order to further stir the pot.

I have already sent extra patrols to Ontario. These men and women, servants of this Republic will be targeting the LRF, SCRA and any Unioners still remaining in Ontario. They are authorized to use lethal force if necessary.

Liberty law states that members of outlawed groups cannot run for office. Ontario law states that a governor has to have been a resident of the system for ten years, and that governor has to be a Liberty citizen. Mr Katz is unable to run on any of these accounts. But that never was the point. The SCRA only want to incite violence and hate in the Ontario system. Nothing more.

People of Ontario, I ask you now to not give in to the terrorists. Don't give them what they want."

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