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Some had suspected that LENCO had never experienced anything like Keene, as evidenced by their desperate attempt this week to cover up their Bearcat promo video. Their military-fetishizing video was subsequently re-posted to several youtube channels, ensuring it will never go away entirely.
Who testified in favor of the BEARCAT? Why city staff and former cops on city pensions, of course. Among us non-aggressors, the supermajority of the audience and speakers were in opposition. This is not speculation. I asked during my speech to have the audience raise their hands if they opposed the BEARCAT. I hope someone got a picture or video of the huge response.
Before the rest of the story, I just want to say thank you to everyone who came out last night. The city council chambers were standing-room only. Derrick J will be releasing video of the police preventing him and others including Nick Ryder from getting in because the room was at “capacity”. How often does that happen at a city council meeting?
After going for hours, everyone finally had a chance to speak. Especially the state agents and the retired cops. For some reason, they were given a large leeway on how long they could speak in comparison to us serfs.
The commission decided to take the night’s testimony as “informational” and pass it back to the full council. Terry Clark, the heroic lone councilor who stood for peace tonight, will not be at the next city council meeting on Thursday, and requested they postpone any vote on the matter to the following council meeting the first Thursday of March. Whether they will or not remains to be seen. If they don’t, the council can just accept it as “informational” and the issue is off the table again. As you might imagine, it will be necessary for those who support peace to contact the full council and share their feelings and thoughts on this matter.
After the meeting, while outside conversing with liberty-oriented friends, the LENCO sales reps, including their head of sales, Jim Massery (Here’s his blog he mentioned to us tonight.) came outside and talked with us. All the while, a line of Keene cops curiously stood in the background with their arms crossed. I suggested to a friend that they were there as an escort for the BEARCAT salesmen, but it was more in jest. Turns out, that’s likely why they were there. When the LENCO people left, so did the cops.
The LENCO salesmen shared with us that the reason they came to Keene (besides trying to save the sale of a BEARCAT) was to experience what was the most passionate and organized opposition they’ve ever had, in the history of all 300+ BEARCAT sales they have made to police departments around the country.
That’s worth repeating.
The LENCO people recognized that Keene was the most significant of all the opposition they’ve ever encountered! The word passion was often used. It was a tremendous compliment to the peace-loving activists who inhabit this beautiful place. I’m so grateful to be here amongst you all.
Thank you to everyone who has written letters to the editor, called radio shows, spread the word about attending, spoken at, and attended the city meetings. There is much more to be done. Rumor has it the city councilors are just going through the motions and have their minds made up. Who on the council will act on their conscience, support peace, and reject the BEARCAT and the fear-based mentality associated with it? Only time will tell. Use that time to share with them your perspective.
Again, here’s the Facebook event for the upcoming full council meeting where they will address this issue. Please share it with your friends and come out to oppose the BEARCAT. Remember to bring signs as you will not be allowed to speak at these meetings. (Except during breaks, then you may be able to talk to a city council member one-on-one. Though, you can do that now via their contact information.)
