Anti-BEARCAT Update: Meeting Today & New Song

There will be an Anti-BEARCAT meeting today at Colony Mills Food Court at 3PM. More details on Facebook (and while you’re there, please like Thanks But No Tanks).

After the over-capacity BEARCAT meeting last Thursday at Keene City Hall, the community has been organizing to stop the city from accepting what current Keene Mayor Kendall Lane called a tank. Weapons manufacturer LENCO tells us that BEARCAT stands for Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck which doesn’t sound any less terrifying than “Tank.” Especially in the hands of a police department that has proven it’s willingness to initiate violence against our peaceful friends and neighbors.

Please join us to oppose the further militarization of the local police department. The website thanksbutnotanks.com has been launched in addition to the comprehensive overview of Keene’s unprecedented Anti-BEARCAT campaign here on FreeKeene.com. Former Keeniac Sam A. Robrin even penned the following song after being inspired by the local resistance. It’s to to the tune of ”Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night. It’s called, what else, but…

Thanks But No Tanks

City council wants a BEARCAT.
Uncle gives ‘em out for free.
They’re telling us that it’s to catch the terrorists,
But they’ve set their sights on you and me.
They’ll be using it on you and me.

That’s why we’re singing:

CHORUS:
Thanks–but no tanks.
Thanks–but no tanks.
Thank you for nothing city bureaucrats.
Thanks… but no bearcat!

Cops can do whatever they please–
They’re backed by City Hall.
They take laws, break them, or just make them up
Like there isn’t any law at all

It’s like there isn’t any law at all

CHORUS:
Thanks–but no tanks.
Thanks–but no tanks.
Thank you for nothing, city bureaucrats.
Thanks… but no bearcats!

You rule by [force], and not by law,
Like Orwell’s 1984.
Getting an attack truck, makes that clear–
It’s time to say “No more!”
We won’t take, or give any more!

CHORUS:

Thanks–but no tanks.
Thanks–but no tanks.
Thank you for nothing, city bureaucrats.
Thanks… but no bearcats!

CHORUS:

Thanks–but no tanks.
Thanks–but no tanks.
Thank you for nothing, every bureaucrat.
Thanks… but no bearcats!