(Maryland) National Guard on Alert for Violence from TEA Party Protesters?

Jawa Report ^ | April 14, 2009 | Rusty Shackleford

[abb]

A reader just sent me a Force Protection Advisory issued by the Maryland National Guard dated April 9, two days after the DHS report. It warns that during the protests that Guardsmen and Guard facilities might become "targets of opportunity."

There is a list of TEA party protest sites in Maryland included.

WTF? Leftwing protesters might show up at National Guard offices, but rightwing protesters are almost universally pro-military. If any one from the National Guard shows up at the protest in uniform (which they aren't supposed to do, but hypothetically) I'm betting he'll have a lot of high-fives, back-slaps, thank-yous, and more than a single offer to buy him a beer.

Oddly, the contact e-mail is for the Antiterrorism Program Coordinator.

One of three things is going on here:

1) There is some intel that the public isn't aware of connecting extremists to the TEA Party movement.

2) The Maryland National Guard is just being overcautious -- perhaps these kinds of memos are sent out for all major protests?

3) Someone somewhere is unable to distinguish between mainstream conservative resentment of Obama's disastrous economic policies -- which the TEA Party movement represents -- and fringe conspiracy and supremacist groups.

I'm hoping it's number 2. In fact, since the recommendations from the memo are that there be no change in alert status, I'm guessing it's just an over precautionary measure. But it does warn National Guardsmen to stay out of the protest area.

I asked the reader if she got this at another blog and she said she hadn't but it was given to her by a friend. Apologies if others have this up already, but I've been preoccupied with other matters and haven't been following this closely.

Here's the text of the memo. I've redacted the email from it and the name of the individual who produced the report.

HEADQUARTERS, MARYLAND ARMY NATIONAL GUARD 13620 Meuse Argonne Circle Camp Fretterd Military Reservation Reisterstown, Maryland 21136

JFHQ-MDARNG-G3 9 April 2009

MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION

SUBJECT: Planned TEA Party Protests (FPCON Advisory 09-004)

1. (U) This Maryland Army National Guard (MDARNG) Force Protection advisory is in response to a nationwide planned protest activities scheduled for April 15, 2009. Although there is no known direct threat to MDNG facilities and MDNG members, they may become a target of opportunity during plan protest activities throughout Maryland.

2. (U) FORCE PROTECTION CONDITIONS.

a. (U) USNORTHCOM FPCON baseline for the continental United States, Alaska, and Canada remains unchanged at ALPHA.

b. (U) MDARNG is not recommending a FPCON baseline change at this time.

3. (U//FOUO) SITUATION: Numerous entities have formed recently to express displeasure/anger over recent federal/state government actions: more taxes, increased spending, higher deficits, a surge of borrowing to pay for it all, bailout of the financial institutions, and etc. This movement can be identified by different variations of “TEA Party” or “Tea Party.” Past “TEA Party” events have been peaceful. There was a “Tea party” event at Solomons, Maryland, on March 22, 2009. “TEA” stands for “Taxed Enough Already.”

4. (U) KNOWN LOCATIONS AND EVENTS: According various websites and open source information, planned protest locations and time on April 15 in Maryland are:

*

Annapolis, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Campbell Park (Dock/Boardwalk), Annapolis Harbor *

Baltimore, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, The Inner Harbor *

Bel Air, 12:00 pm, Bel Air Courthouse Plaza on Main Street *

Cecil County, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Elkton Christian Academy, 144 Appleton Road *

Frederick, 3:00 pm, City Hall then march to Winchester Hall *

Cumberland, 12:00 pm, Baltimore and Mechanic Streets *

Havre de Grace, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Tydings Park Gazebo *

Salisbury, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm, Downtown Salisbury *

Westminster, 6:30 pm, Legends Cafe off of Route 140 in Westminster *

Washington DC, 12:00pm-2:00pm, US Treasury Department - National Stage; 11:00am-3:00pm Lafayette Park - Grassroots Stage (not MD)

5. (U) FORCE PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS:

a. (U) Full-time personnel (i.e. armories) and recruiters need to be aware their surroundings. Contact local law enforcement when feel threaten by protesters or protesters trespass into MDNG property.

b. (U//FOUO) Commanders at all levels should establish relationship with local police in order to understand the local threats. Keep family members informed. Talk to other service personnel to share information. Practice OPSEC. Don’t provide personal information to anyone you don’t know. Avoid high risk areas.

c. (U//FOUO) Commanders are encouraged to update alert rosters and review emergency evacuation plans/rally points. Ensure all facilities have emergency phone lists posted (i.e. FBI, FIRE, POLICE, HOSPITALS, EMS, ETC…). Be aware of and avoid local protests. Report all potential protest activities to your next higher headquarters.

d. (U//FOUO) Continue implementation of RAM and a review of policies and procedures, especially in regards to cooperation or assistance with local emergency responders.

5. POC is Antiterrorism Program Coordinator, --[redacted- at (410) 702-[redacted] or by e-mail [redacted]@us.army.mil

[Redacted LTC author's name] DISTRIBUTION: ATOs MSCs CDRs

By Rusty at April 14, 2009 12:09 PM | Comments (8) | Trackback l digg this

[abb]

This just in.

[abb]

ping

[benjibrowder]

I have a much more insidious thought. Left wing groups fearing the worst will impersonate right groups and attack these targets.

They’re very afraid of the tea parties.

[Myrddin]

The most likely problem is ACORN rent-a-mob types showing up to disrupt the TEA parties.

[WKUHilltopper]

Sounds like the tyrants in Maryland are intentionally trying to light the fuse in hopes of invoking martial law.

I would welcome these heroes in uniform over to the side of the right side.

[Myrddin]

I have a much more insidious thought. Left wing groups fearing the worst will impersonate right groups and attack these targets.

Those who attack need to be arrested. If it's lefties doing the attacking, it's lefties who will be arrested and incarcerated.

[MrB]

Yeah, the left is looking to make any excuse to use [deadly] force to silence their opposition.

As the Soviets say, “Peace is the absence of opposition to Communism”.

[freekitty]

I see Obama is living up to his name “The Fool”.

[MeanWestTexan]

It’s a transparent attempt to make Tea Party protestors look bad.

[JenB987]

I can smell the left’s fear. And it’s not fear of violence, it’s fear of success.

[ScottinVA]

Between this, and the DHS “warning,” what this is sounding like — and I hope I’m wrong — is the administration is setting the table for something violent to happen tomorrow. And to make that violence happen, will embed ACORN types or other radicals into the Tea Parties to try to bring justification to their propaganda by blackening the name of conservatism. I hope ALL attendees at tomorrow’s events have video devices at the ready, should some “plant” start making trouble. We’re the target now. To the leftists, we’re not protesting, we’re attempting to overthrow the government. Yes, the very notion is preposterous, but so is the mindset of the leftist loons.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

They’re very afraid of the tea parties.
___________________________________________

Yes, they are. On a local message board.....it’s all the libs are talking about. Methinks they doth protest too much:

(cut and paste in browser)

h t t p://users.boardnation.com/~waff/index.php?board=12

[justsaynomore]

So if I were a tea party protester in MD, I might just have a second sign that reads, “THANK YOU military and national guard for protecting our Constitution and our freedoms!”

[JenB987]

I agree. And we know there are enough loons on the left that won’t fear prison to envoke a riot amongst the Tea Partiers.

I have a feeling tomorrow will send a strong and vibrant message. I just hope it’s a positive one.

[ßuddaßudd]

Loud And Proud!

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Possibility #4, some leftist wacko decides to pretend he’s a conservative, brings a gun, or a can of baby powder, or a Bible he stole somewhere, and makes us look like lunatics.

[Wpin]

I hope and pray that this is just prudent cautiousness on the part of the Maryland National Guard. But, in any event, none of this trivial stuff matters right now, all that matters is get out and protest...and do it loudly!

The rest will take care of itself. Be brave, be defiant and stand up for America!

[BenLurkin]

WTF?

[wolfpat]

I fear you’re right. There are historical precedents for planting violent people in a peaceful group to undermine the group’s message. And we know the left is capable of anything.

[WOBBLY BOB]

Rats get angry when you take their free gubamint cheeze.