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In a show of unwavering commitment to the principles of free press and journalism, the dedicated staff of the Marion County Record pulled off an impressive feat. They pulled an “all-nighter” to publish the newspaper's weekly edition. 

Just a few days ago the paper's newsroom was raided by the police. Authorities seized all computers and cell phones along with other equipment typically used to publish.

 The front-page headline was a single word in 200-point bold type: "SEIZED," followed by a defiant declaration, "… but not silenced."

The raid, which took place on Friday, was orchestrated by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody and his officers. They executed a search warrant not only at the newspaper office but also at the homes of Eric Meyer, the owner, and publisher. And at the residence of a local councilwoman. 

This unprecedented action not only sent shockwaves through the community but also had tragic consequences. Meyer's 98-year-old mother tragically passed away in the midst of the turmoil. 

Meyer remained steadfast in his determination to uphold the paper’s First Amendment rights.

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The newspaper gets lots of support

He emphasized, "This just couldn't stand. If it did, it would be the end of people ever being able to send anything anonymously to a newspaper. It would be the end of news organizations ever pursuing any sort of controversial story."

The repercussions of the raid extended beyond the newsroom's walls. In an astonishing display of solidarity, the community rallied behind the newspaper, leading to an influx of support. 

2,000 new subscriptions were purchased. This is a big boost for a publication that previously had a circulation of around 4,000. The distribution team, amidst the chaos, handled an overwhelming barrage of phone calls from interested individuals seeking to subscribe. 

The calls continue from New Hampshire, Florida, New Mexico, New York, Michigan, Texas, Vermont, Germany, Massachusetts, Illinois and Montana. And it appears that the County Record will more than double their readership by the end of the week.

Katherine Jacobsen, program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, monitored the situation closely. She claims this type of raid is unprecedented in the history of the United States. And underscores the vital importance of a free press and the delicate balance between law enforcement and the Fourth Estate.

Marion County Record met weekly deadline

Facing the daunting challenge of producing the weekly edition without their confiscated resources, they ingeniously pieced together a working machine from discarded computers.