Why NH got an “F”

The gun grabbers gave NH an “F” — but we know it stands for “Freedom.”

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The Porcupine Post NewsletterSunday, December 14, 2025
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Festive vibes in New Hampshire. Photo posted by Wholesome NH.
Hon. Eric BrakeyFree State Project, Executive Director
Porcupine —It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Free State.

Here are a few things we are reporting on in this week’s Porcupine Post newsletter:

  • An “F” on Our Report Card – In their rankings for 2025, the gun grabbers at Giffords gave New Hampshire the only “F” in New England for rejecting all of their gun control schemes.
  • Tokenized Real Estate – After saving the Quill, one Free Stater and Bitcoin pioneer is using blockchain to fight Blackrock, empowering the little guy to own real estate.
  • Who is Our Volunteer of the Year? – At last Sunday’s Volunteer Appreciation Party, we surprised him with this award — and also recognizing many more who’ve made contributions through the year.
  • Outreach Never Ends – Volunteers travel to Rhode Island and Vermont to meet potential future Free Staters, as I speak to the Bedford Republican committee.
  • Build Freedom at the 2026 NH Liberty Forum — Tickets are on sale now.
  • A Porcupine Patron Update — We are 98% of the way to our end-of-year goal of 270 patrons. Can I count you in?

These weekly FSP newsletters are always jam-packed with a lot of content, so please feel free to skip ahead to whatever interests you.

An “F” on our Report Card
On their 2025 report card, the Giffords gun grabbers gave New Hampshire an “F.”I don’t know about you, but I was a pretty diligent student growing up, so I’m not used to receiving anything like this on a report card.

When I look at what they were scoring, however, I realize that this report card should be read in reverse:

  • The F stands for “Freedom.”
  • The A stands for “Authoritarian.”
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Once again, New Hampshire stands as the lone fortress of freedom in the entire Northeast.Could there be any better illustration of the effectiveness of (1) the Free State Project’s libertarian concentration strategy paired with (2) the native “Live Free or Die” spirit of the Granite State?

Of course, firearm freedom is not the only liberty distinguishing New Hampshire from its neighbors.

For eroding economic freedom in her state and driving businesses into the Free State, NH Republicans recently gave Massachusetts Governor Healey a trolling endorsement for re-election.

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It is tragic watching our neighboring states slip further into statism — stealing more from the freedoms and paychecks of those who live there.Even my ancestral homeland of Maine — once a leader on 2nd Amendment rights — is now passing “Red Flag” gun confiscation laws.

Of course, that is why we need the Free State Project — to build the ark for those who still dream of a land to live free.

The further other states fall, the faster the Free State of New Hampshire will rise as thousands more who share our liberty values join us here.

YouTube Video
Be sure to check our new FSP introduction video:
“Live Free or Die — Start your Journey with the Free State Project.”
Thank you to FSP Video Strategist Reinita Susman.
Since I joined the project, we have been reorienting our operations around a five-phase pipeline to meet liberty lovers wherever they are.

  1. Promote → Learn — We promote to external liberty-loving communities, so they can learn about the FSP and what we are building in New Hampshire;
  2. Outreach → Connect — At outside events, we outreach to liberty-aligned people to connect them with our newsletters and online community groups;
  3. Invite → Visit — We host and promote events throughout the year, inviting liberty-lovers to visit and experience the Free State;
  4. Welcome → Move — We welcome and assist those planning, preparing, or executing their moves to NH; and
  5. Engage → Build — We engage with active FSP participants, facilitating development of community by helping participants find their tribe and build liberty projects.

Our most recent big step in this direction was the launch of a brand-new FSP.org — a home for liberty lovers at every stage of their journey.

To keep up the momentum, we need your support.

(Despite what our anti-FSP opponents say, we don’t have tons of “billionaire backers” funding our year-round operations.)

We have 264 Porcupine Patrons — many giving just $100 per year — helping to fund the year-round mission of our bootstrap operation (and I would like to reach 270 patrons by year’s end).

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your donation to the FSP is 100% tax-deductible — and we also accept Bitcoin and crypto.

Before the year’s end, can I count you in — at any level of giving — as a Porcupine Patron for the Free State Project?

MOVER PROFILE:After Saving The Quill, He’s Building a Tokenized Future
Just three years ago, we almost lost The Quill. The Quill clubhouse in Manchester has served as a community hub since 2010. That could have all ended when the building went up for sale.

The Free State community, however, rallied around an innovative crowdfunding model of tokenized real estate loans to purchase the building and save the Quill.

One of the biggest backers of that initiative was Matt Whitlock — Free Stater, Bitcoin pioneer, and Porcupine Patron — my guest this past week on Episode 92 of The Porcupine Report.

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After attending the second ever NH Liberty Forum in 2008, Matt made the move in 2010. Three years later, he was demonstrating one of the first prototype Bitcoin ATMs (which he programmed himself) at the NH Liberty Forum.In more recent times, participating in the Save the Quill initiative inspired him to further develop ways to tokenize real estate — empowering the little guy with real property ownership, not just short-term bond-holding.

Now, Matt is pioneering tokenized real estate through his new venture, Porcupine Properties — empowering small investors to pool resources, purchase properties, and receive rental income through re-sellable crypto tokens (PINE) recorded on the blockchain.

As Matt says, “Now you too can be a rent-seeker!”

To hear Matt’s story and learn about tokenized real estate, be sure to watch Episode 92 of the Porcupine Report!

Who Is Our Volunteer of the Year?
Last Sunday, we held our third-annual FSP Volunteer Appreciation Party at the Woodstock Inn Brewery.With leadership from Welcome & Engagement Director Chris Lopez, this has become a beloved tradition to thank volunteers who power our mission.
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Thank you! Eric Brakey showcased the new FSP intro video, thanked volunteers, recapped 2025 highlights, and previewed 2026 plans.
Each year, we name an FSP Volunteer of the Year.After much thought, Chris and I agreed: no one embodied FSP “good neighbor” values more in 2025 than Jason Spencer.

Jason pitched in at nearly every volunteer party (calls/postcards), stage-managed Liberty Forum and PorcFest, and helped with welcome wagons — unloading movers’ trucks like a true good neighbor.

Jason — thank you!

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Volunteer of the Year! Our 2025 FSP Volunteer of the Year is Jason Spencer, pictured here with his award, alongside our FSP Welcome and Engagement Director, Chris Lopez.
Our Outreach Director, Pedro Serra, recognized our top outreach volunteers — thanking them for hundreds of new sign-ups across the Northeast.
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Top Outreach Volunteers. Thank you to (pictured left-to-right) Jason Spencer, Jaime Hussey, Stephen Nass, Pedro Serra, Jane Bennett, and R.J. Waldo for leading our FSP outreach efforts — signing up hundreds of new liberty-lovers at events across the Northeast these last several months.
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Outreach Volunteer of the Year. For her assertive tenacity at outreach events — even traveling to the tables of every gun show vendor to sign them up for the FSP newsletter — Jaime Hussey was recognized at the top FSP Outreach Volunteer for 2025.
Chris and I also began a new tradition this year: “Superlative Awards.”With a few stories and printed certificates, we recognized dozens of other top volunteers for their unique and individualized contributions throughout the year. Here are two of them — and there were many more.
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Spielberg Award. In recognition of her video production work on the new FSP introduction video, the Porcupine Report podcast, and all published content from PorcFest and Liberty Forum, Reinita Susman received this award.
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AV Master Award. Sarah Brown shows off the award she accepted on behalf of her husband. For years at FSP events, including the 2025 NH Liberty Forum, Tyler Brown, has volunteered his production skills to help us capture sound and video of programming.
We would love to thank you at next year’s Volunteer Appreciation Party!CLICK HERE to volunteer for the Free State Project.
The Outreach Never Ends
The year may be coming to a close, but our outreach efforts never end.Over this weekend and last, FSP volunteers have traveled for events in two different states — Vermont and Rhode Island — to connect more potential Free Staters.
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Vermont. Jane and Pedro were at the Liberty Food Festival over in Vermont this weekend and gathering some great sign-ups.FUN FACT: New Hampshire is way better than Vermont on food liberty.
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Rhode Island. Stephen and R.J. were “kicking butt and taking emails” last Saturday morning in Rhode Island!This is how we grow the Free State. Thank you to all of our outreach volunteers.
While our primary focus for outreach is outside New Hampshire, I continue taking opportunities to connect with new friends here at home.This week, I spoke with the Bedford Republican Committee about how the Free State Project contributes to NH being the #1 state for freedom in the U.S. — while every other New England state has fallen to progressive statism.
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Bedford, NH. Even as we outreach to liberty-loving people outside New Hampshire, it remains important to win friends here at home. Thank you to Rep. Kristin Noble for inviting FSP Director Brakey to speak to the Bedford GOP committee this past week about how our strategy is working to Keep NH Free.
“Build Freedom” at the 2026 NH Liberty Forum
I hope you are making your plans to join us in March for the 2026 New Hampshire Liberty Forum.We are returning to the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, March 5-8, 2026 with the theme “Build Freedom.”

This is a conference for those actively building solutions for a future grounded in individual human liberty. (Of course, that’s the whole purpose of the Free State Project — to build a homeland for freedom builders.) Like last year, we will be running two tracks of content at the 2026 NH Liberty Forum:

  • “Build Freedom” Main Stage Series – short-form talks and panels for a large audience;
  • “Liberty In Practice” Dialogue Series – eight small group deep-dives (limited to 25 participants each), led by respected freedom builders with topics ranging from raising the next generation to the practical steps necessary for interstate secession.

There will be plenty of announcements ahead on the 2026 NH Liberty Forum, so keep reading this weekly newsletter.

Thank you for being an email subscriber. Please use discount code “PorcPost” to save 5% on your tickets for the 2026 NH Liberty Forum.

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6 More Patrons Needed by New Year’s
— Will You Be One of Them?
If you believe in our mission for a liberty homeland in New Hampshire, I’d like to ask you to become a Porcupine Patron for the Free State Project.For just $10/month, you can support our year-round efforts to build “Liberty in Our Lifetime” — outreaching and inviting new movers to join us in the Free State.

Additionally, you will receive exclusive patron benefits, including our quarterly print newsletter, access to our private Signal group, and perks at all FSP events.

We currently have 264 active patrons — only 6 away from our year-end goal of 270.

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a $10/month Porcupine Patron (or at a higher tier), this is the week I’d be especially grateful if you did.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all donations to the Free State Project are 100% tax-deductible. We welcome donations in dollars and many forms of cryptocurrency.

Can I count you in as a Porcupine Patron?

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Porcupine Patron Pin. In addition to other fantastic benefits, every Porcupine Patron of the Free State Project receives this “Porcupine Patron Pin.” These pins are not just for show! Patron pins grant access to exclusive perks at all FSP events, including VIP rooms, patron-only events, and courtesy drink tickets. Click here to become a Porcupine Patron for the Free State Project.
It is my honor to serve as Executive Director of the FSP.Please read on for more of our weekly newsletter from the Free State, prepared with assistance from our Communications Director, Mahgdalen Rose.

For Liberty!
Hon. Eric Brakey
Executive Director
Free State Project

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Want to Build a Porcupine Theme Weekend?Dennis Pratt, Owner of the Independence Inn, is seeking participants and organizers for Porcupine Theme Weekends throughout 2026.

Please email him — DennisGPratt — if you would be interested in participating or helping build a theme weekend for liberty lovers regarding any of the following interests.

  • Musicians: Playing music together
  • Gamers: Playing tabletop games
  • Couples: Natalism / Birthing
  • Politicians: Winning political office
  • Historians: Celebrating the Pine Tree Riot
  • Marksmanship
  • 2nd Amendment: Shooting guns
  • Family Freedom: Raising a free family your way
  • Tom Woods Cruise: Pre Gathering
  • Sailors: Tall ship schooner
  • Medical Workers
  • Theatre Workshops

Other ideas are also welcome.

Recurring Free State EventsNew Mover Potluck Parties!

  • Manchester – First Friday
  • Upper Valley – First Saturday
  • Seacoast – Third Sunday
  • North Country – Third Saturday

Local Meetups!

  • Bedford – Weekly, Tuesdays
  • Plymouth – Semi-monthly, second and fourth Wednesdays
  • Seacoast – Weekly, Thursdays (changes town)
  • Upper Valley – Monthly, fourth Tuesday
  • Nashua – Weekly, Sundays
  • Gilford – Monthly, third Saturday
  • Ossipee – Semi-monthly, second Sunday and third Tuesday
  • Madison – Monthly, second Saturday
  • Grafton – Monthly, second Saturday
  • Keene – Weekly, Sundays
  • Lower Valley – monthly, third Friday

This is only a small sample of what’s going on in the Free State! Recurring topical events include agorism, family play time, range shooting, and crypto.

Find upcoming events across the state on our NH Liberty Calendar.

NH Liberty Calendar
Free State Voices
YouTube Video
The Independents w/Carla Gericke: NH Property Taxes: The Truth Behind Your Assessment (No, You’re Not Automatically Screwed)Property taxes in New Hampshire spark more panic than an unexpected snowstorm in October — but most of it comes from misunderstanding how assessments actually work.

Here’s the Granite State truth: because we don’t do income tax or sales tax (you’re welcome), NH funds schools, town services, and county obligations through local property taxes. That means your bill is a reflection of local decisions, not mystery math cooked up in Concord.

Click to watch the full episode!

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Skot Sheller: How an anarcho-capitalist won Argentina: the radical rise of Javier MileiHere is a short clip from Skot Sheller’s recent appearance on the Tom Woods Show. You can also watch the full interview.
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Rep. Tom Mannion: A citizen legislature is one reason why New Hampshire is the best stateIn our 12 Days of Christmas series (highlighting 12 reasons why NH is the best state for those who want freedom), State Rep. Tom Mannion speaks about the uniquely accessible 400-seat House of Representatives.

Click here to watch.

News from the Free State
  • Yahoo: Where to go for a Christmas vacation with snow? Try these spots in NH, Maine
  • InkLink: New Hampshire students shine at FIRST LEGO League state championship
  • WMUR9: Powerball ticket worth $50,000 sold at Market Basket store in New Hampshire
  • The Weather Channel: New Hampshire Firefighters Brave Icy Waters To Rescue Dog From Frozen Lake
  • NH Bulletin: COGE report recommends New Hampshire split apart health department, embrace AI
  • NH Bulletin: State court rejects lawsuit against new absentee voting restrictions
  • Union Leader: Homelessness down 8% in New Hampshire
  • Boston.com: NH Republicans ‘endorse’ Healey, saying her policies are driving businesses out of Mass.
  • NH Bulletin: COGE report recommends New Hampshire split apart health department, embrace AI
  • NHPR: Ayotte’s COGE committee issues government efficiency recommendations
  • Cannabis Business Times: New Hampshire Bill Would Put Cannabis Legalization Question to Voters
  • Josiah Bartlett Center: Would you invest in Massachusetts or New Hampshire?
  • WMUR: Granite Staters could see bright, frequent meteors this weekend as Geminids reach peak
As Seen in the Free State
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Freedom to Build! Congratulations to Sen. Keith Murphy Granger on receiving the 2025 Tom Thomson Defender of Liberty award from AFP-NH for his liberty policy accomplishments this year in Concord!
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Vehicle Inspection Mandates Abolished! Congratulations to Rep. Michael Granger on receiving the 2025 Luke Mroz Freedom Fighter of the Year from AFP-NH for his liberty policy accomplishments this year in Concord!
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Testify. Free Staters gathered at NHLA’s testifying training on last Saturday, preparing for a busy year ahead of advancing liberty in the legislature.
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Taproom Tuesday! Even after changing venues from Manchester to Bedford several weeks ago, the weekly tradition of Taproom Tuesday continues strong.
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Women of the Free State: Holiday Party & Yankee Swap. Yesterday evening, Olga Sorens hosted a gathering for Women of the Free State in Amherst. Gifts were swapped in a Yankee fashion.
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Carla Gericke (FSP Board Chair) kicked things off as the new host for the Quill New Mover Potluck on the first Friday of this month.
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Eric Brakey (FSP Executive Director), at the Quill New Mover Potluck, shared updates on Free State Project activities, the search for a PorcFest venue, and why everyone should become a Porcupine Patron.
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Pedro Serra (FSP Outreach Director) spoke to attendees at the Quill New Mover Potluck about volunteer opportunities throughout the movement, including for official FSP outreach efforts. Click here to volunteer.
Some Upcoming Events
Monday, Dec 15th

  • Strafford, 6pm-9 Build; Don’t Bitch (Live Free in NH Magazine) – Every 3rd Monday of the month, Porcupines gather for “Build, Don’t Bitch” – an inspiring evening of sharing, planning, and celebrating building liberty-for-real. Discover new projects, hear about successes, learn who needs support, and get inspired to take action. And share your freedom or other life stories!! Whether you’re a seasoned activist or just starting out, come share your activities and consider helping someone else’s! Featured Speaker: Stephen Nass. You may know Stephen from the NBC Documentary “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of New Hampshire.” Stephen has worked to start many pro-freedom projects including a Libertarian Party affiliate, an inn for helping libertarians explore New Hampshire, a community center to shelter libertarians from government tyranny, a trade association for advancing food freedom, and a marketing agency for promoting New Hampshire. Hosted by Dennis Pratt. (Independence Inn, 6 Drake Hl Rd, Strafford)
  • Online, 8pm-9 NH Exit Town HallJoin us on Jitsi every third Monday of the month to discuss the latest on New Hampshire Independence! Hosted by Russell Kanning.
  • Online, 10pm-11Japanese Club – Join our weekly Discord call to practice Japanese…and swap anime recommendations. すべての日本語話者を歓迎します! 元気な会話を楽しんでください。 Hosted by Yaro. (Discord)

Tuesday, Dec 16th

  • Bedford, 4pm-8 Taproom Tuesday at Murphy’s Carriage House – Come meet fellow liberty lovers at our weekly event! $5 drafts & win and $10 cocktails & appetizers for $10 from 6pm-8! Please invite others! Hosted by Bill & Gail. (Murphy’s Taproom & Carriage House, 393 State Rte 101, Bedford)
  • Ossipee, 6pm-8 Carroll County Freedom Meetup – Open discussion and networking for people interested in foundational principles of New Hampshire and American Independence and ways to peacefully continue those traditions. Call Ted Krautmann at 603-986-4480 for address.

Wednesday, Dec 17th

  • Lancaster, 8:30am-10:30North Country AP US History Course for Homeschoolers – AP United States History is a full survey course designed to help students think critically about history, engage with primary sources, and develop strong historical arguments. Free for The ‘Pine members ($5 donation for non-members). Hosted by Staci Webb. (the Pine, 70 Main St, Lancaster)
  • Concord, 3:30pm-5 Sound Money Outing – Come join the Sound Money Business Network for a Sound Money Outing. Bring your silver or gold and exchange them for food and drink at Tandy’s. This event is timed to capture State Legislators attention as they leave their session at the State House on that day. Hosted by John Nelson. (Tandy’s Pub & Grill, 1 Eagle Square, Concord)
  • YouTube 7pm-8FSP Porcupine Report – Free State Project Executive Director Eric Brakey sits down every week to interview the movers and shakers of New Hampshire. Join us on YouTube! Hosted by Eric Brakey.
  • Goffstown, 7:30pm-10Latin Dancing – Come join us for Latin dance social in Pinardville, just outside Manchester. Dance to bachata,salsa, cha cha cha, merengue and cumbia! No partner needed and everyone is welcome! FREE beginner dance classes from 7:30-8pm. Hosted by Hsiu Chang. Call for more details at 603-305-1846. (La Vaca, 553 Mast Rd Unit 105, Goffstown)

Thursday, Dec 18th

  • Seabrook, 8am-9 Weekly Patriot Breakfast – A weekly social meeting of NH Patriots, think traditional Constitutional Republican. Hosted by Jude. (Linda’s Breakfast & Lunch Place, 920 Lafayette Road, Seabrook)
  • Rochester 6pm-9Rochester Liberty Outreach Meetup – Are you tired of big government? Just want to live free? You’ll be in good company at our weekly liberty meetups every Thursday night. The goal of these meetups is to provide a place for those interested in the philosophy of liberty to learn more and get involved in our vibrant community of families, entrepreneurs, and activists. It’s all about good ideas, good people, and good eats. So come on down! Hosted by Seamus Casey. (Revolution Taproom & Grill, 61 N Main St, Rochester)

Friday, Dec 19th

  • Henniker, 6pm-9 Women’s New Moon Circle – Anchor yourself in ritual – gather with other women in the rhythm of the moon, as our ancestral lines have done before us. Be guided to work with the New Moon energies – wherein your divine feminine wisdom and creative power are potent. Receive nourishment – through herbal teas, activities, and sisterhood, you will leave feeling renewed. $22 suggested donation. Led by Lauren & Lane. (Rooted Free Farm, 1040 Old Hillsboro Rd, Henniker)
  • Manchester, 6:30pm-7:30Manchester Monthly Shoot – Recurring every third Friday in Manchester! Regular rate is $25 per hour; use promo code #FSP5 for a $5 discount! Hosted by James. (Manchester Firing Line Range, 2540 Brown Ave, Manchester)

Sunday, Dec 21st

  • Lancaster, 12pm-3North Country Monthly Potluck – Come join the North Country Porcupines for our monthly potluck! Bring a dish and spend some time reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. Hosted by Staci Webb. (the ‘Pine, 70 Main St, Lancaster)
  • Candia, 1:15pm-3:15The Gruck a.k.a. Garnet Ruck GRUCK: Granite Ruck. Rucking is the act of walking with weight on your back. It’s a low impact exercise based on military training workouts that improves cardio, strength, endurance, and character. This is a challenge by choice event, go as heavy or as far as you’re enthusiastic about. Whether you come for camaraderie or to test your mettle, as long as you come in peace, you’re welcome! Hosted by Michael Rohan. (Garnet School, 456 Critchett Rd, Candia)
  • Manchester, 2pm-4 Ice Skating – A family friendly public skating event. Only $5 per person! Hosted by Patrick. (JFK Memorial Coliseum, 303 Beech St, Manchester)
  • Manchester, 2pm-5 Manchester Marketplace – Join us for our monthly community market and farm share pick-up! Get some shopping done from your fav local porcupines #shoplibertylocal Hosted by Emily Smith. (the Quill, 131 Amory St, Manchester)
  • Manchester, 5pm-7:30Manchester Crypto Meetup – We’re not trying to shill any coin, token, or project. We are a group of individuals and businesses in support of cryptocurrency and its everyday uses. Hosted by Matt Ping. (Strange Brew, 88 Market St, Manchester)
  • Keene, 5pm-6 Social Sunday – Enjoy the company of other liberty-loving people at NH’s longest-running activist social! Hosted by Chris Waid. (Local Burger, 82 Main St, Keene)
  • Nashua, 6pm-8 Nashua Liberty Social – Weekly Nashua Meet-Up – Location varies each week. This calendar event is typically updated by 2PM on Sunday. Meet-ups are generally within about a 10 minute drive of the downtown area. Hosted by Jeff Creem
Remember that this is only a partial list.For all FSP events and more details on those highlighted here, be sure to check out the NH Liberty Calendar.
NH Liberty Calendar
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