Politics & Government
Free State Backlash? 'Stop Free Keene' Emerges
'Robin Hooders' in Keene inspire an opposition party. Will it expand statewide?
The Free Keene "Robin Hooders," that merry band of liberty-loving activists that feeds expired parking meters in Keene, have inspired a rival effort called "Stop Free Keene."
Is this a libertarian backlash in New Hampshire? Are locals upset with the Free State Project infiltrating the Live Free Or Die state?
The New York Times swooped in to cover the saga, and its story May 4 quotes "Stop Free Keene" coordinator Andrea Parkhurst Whitcomb as asking Ian Freeman and his group:
"Who asked you to free us?"
The Free State Project, back in 2003, selected New Hampshire as a home base, with the idea that 20,000 liberty-loving activists would move to the Granite State for its libertarian streak. Participants, welcomed by then Gov. Craig Benson, also fell in love with New Hampshire for its economy, quality of life and decentralized system of government.
The latest statistics show 16,652 Free State Project participants in New Hampshire.
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