When Concord approved the application for this DHS grant, it claimed that: "Groups such as the Sovereign Citizens, Free Staters and Occupy New Hampshire are active and present daily challenges." This application was signed by City Manager Thomas Aspell, Police Chief John Duval, and Deputy City Manager Brian LeBrun.

This represents an extremely disturbing trend among police departments towards miliarization and intimidation of peaceful, non-violent activist groups. If approved, the Bearcat will be used in 20 local communities, including Plymouth State University. The people should not tolerate the militarization of our communities and the intimidation of peaceful activist groups.

If a citizen applied for a federal grant, making unfounded accusations, targeting individuals and groups for espousing or expressing political beliefs, he could reasonably expect to be brought up on charges of fraud, defamation of character and political profiling.  Elected officials should be held to the same standards.

The DHS grant to militarize our communities should be rejected.

Resignations should be sought from the City Manager Thomas Aspell, Police Chief John Duval, and Deputy City Manager Brian LeBrun for making such outrageous, inappropriate and unfounded accusations against the peaceful, non-violent people of this state. They're unfit for public service and are a real and present danger to our community.

Please sign this petition to instruct the Council before they reconvene and vote on September 9th at 6 pm at 41 Green St., Concord.

"When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny."