Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Published: 9/14/2020 9:17:58 AM
About 38 people walked from the Riverwalk parking lot to the Peterborough Police Department Saturday morning for a second “Pro-Police, Pro-America Rally.” The group, holding American and “Thin Blue Line” flags, gathered to hear each other speak in support of America and police departments both local and nationwide. Speakers shared their positive experiences and lifesaving interactions with local police, described a need to put “America First,” and assured the gathered crowd that the United States is the most free, most equal country in the history of the world, even better than Canada.
“People call us cult members because we worship our flag and stand up proud for our country,” organizer Greg Carter said. “If that’s part of being a cult, then count me in.”
About 20 counter-protesters, mostly members of the Rural Youth Union, met the rally at the police station, where they handed out fliers describing “Building a Police-Free Future,” with action items such as first aid, CPR and restorative justice training, creating a list of resources to call instead of the police and engaging in policy work that prevents, rather than punishes, crime.
After the speeches, both groups gathered at the intersection of Routes 101 and 202 to hold signs supporting their respective causes.