Alaska Politics Blog

This is the place to talk about Alaska politics, state, local, national. Public life in the Last Frontier has rarely been more interesting -- a full slate of federal and state elections, the influence of former Gov. Sarah Palin, the usual hardball Alaska politics. Come here for news, tidbits and information, and join the discussion. We encourage lively debate, but please keep it civil and stay on point. Don't use profanity, make crude comments or attack other posters. Posts that violate the Terms of Use will be deleted. Repeat offenders will lose their ability to post comments.

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He's worked for the ADN in Anchorage and Juneau, covered the legislature for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, and covered Washington state politics for the Tacoma News Tribune. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins covers rural affairs, general assignments and politics for the ADN. He covered the 2006 campaign for governor, has blogged extensively about Alaska politics, covered Anchorage city government and was a reporter based in the Mat-Su. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and previously wrote for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com and also find him on our rural Alaska blog, The Village.

David Hulen

David Hulen, the ADN's state and local news editor, is responsible for political coverage. He has been an editor and reporter at the ADN for more than 20 years. E-mail David at dhulen@adn.com

SECTION

Alaska political corruption

When the FBI raided state legislature offices in Aug. 2006, it publicly launched an investigation that ultimately reached the highest levels of Alaska politics, and continues to this day.

Video: Sheffield, Sullivan on Honeman's fundraising calls - 1/11/2012 7:11 pm

Sullivan proposes killing I/M program six months early - 1/11/2012 11:44 am

Mayoral candidate accuses Sullivan of 'cronyism' over consulting contract - 1/6/2012 9:54 am

Two finalists for Anchorage school superintendent's job announced - 12/15/2011 9:38 am

Murkowski has "great concerns" about Obama consumer watchdog pick - 12/6/2011 3:36 pm

Lisa Murkowski wants investigation of why feds won't prosecute Bill Allen on sex charges - 11/28/2011 12:03 pm

Palin: I'm not running for president (Updated with video) - 10/5/2011 2:50 pm

Elections round-up: Taxes and bonds, plastic bags and politicians - 10/5/2011 10:49 am

"I have free speech!" (UPDATED)

From Kyle Hopkins in Anchorage --

This 10-minute clip of a protester with a Lyndon LaRouche "Impeach Obama Now" sign clashing with state fair security appeared yesterday on YouTube and is gaining buzz this morning.

What we know so far: The man in the video is Sidney Hill, 52, and he has been arrested by Palmer police for assault, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

That according to Palmer police commander Thomas Remaley, who says Hill had a handgun that police seized for evidence and "safekeeping."

“He’s probably legal to have a gun, but you’re not allowed to have a gun at the fairgrounds, so they would have taken it away from him," Remaley said.

Hill was taken to Mat-Su pretrial in Palmer with bail set at $500. He was arraigned this afternoon but had not posted bail as of 2 p.m. today.

I'm trying to reach the private security firm seen in the video.

What exactly launched this encounter? Are fairgoers with political signs always asked to leave?

“It is private property, open to the public. They get to determine their rules," Remaley said.


UPDATE: Fair marketing director Dean Phipps says the fair has an unwritten policy against people campaigning in common areas of the fairgrounds.

If people want to deliver a political message -- on abortion or Pebble Mine, for example -- they're expected to rent a booth and follow vendor guidelines, he said.

As for the security guards? Did they go too far?

Phipps defended the use of force seen in the clip.

“The initial attempt was to educate him and let him know what the rules were, and he became belligerent. They felt that they were assaulted ... and then responded to that.”


Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said the trooper who appears partway through the clip was off duty.

More soon.

If you saw what happened yesterday, give me a call at 257-4334 or e-mail khopkins@adn.com.

© Copyright 2011, The Anchorage Daily News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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