Liberty wins — and what about the bears?
Autumn is here in full living color.
The New England foliage this time of year is something to behold.
As the liberty capital of New England, however, New Hampshire is the only state where autumn arrives without any communism to dampen its beauty.
This is no accident.
Many generations of Granite Staters — from the 1772 Pine Tree Riot through today — have been working to protect and extend individual human liberty.
Over the last generation, the Free Staters of New Hampshire have been especially dedicated to this cause and have helped achieve hundreds of liberty wins.
Want to see what liberty migration can accomplish?
Browse by year or topic, from education freedom and self-defense to tax relief and fewer barriers to work. Follow the sources. Share it with a friend who wonders whether the Free State Project is working.
And if you are still watching from across the border, consider what you could help build once you join us here.
- A Swirling Vortex of Liberty. Our outreach continues across the Northeast, with stops in New York and Rhode Island next weekend.
- Same Trek, New Mountain. Tomorrow’s Granite Freedom Trek is moving to Mount Willard. Join us for autumn views and good company.
- Working to Welcome. Volunteers gathered at the Quill to prepare welcome bags for new movers—including a Free State Passport to help them explore their new home.
- Plan Your Porcupine Vacation. Dennis Pratt joins The Porcupine Report to discuss visiting New Hampshire and finding your people.
- Do We Attract Bears? The accusation keeps coming up. We checked the numbers.
- Free State Voices, Every Weekday. Meet the Free State Podcast Network’s lineup, bringing liberty voices to your screen at 7 p.m. Eastern.
- A Porcupine Patron Update. Thank you to all 335 Porcupine Patrons who fund our year-round mission. Become a patron!
A Swirling Vortex of Liberty
Operation Liberty Vortex continues across the Northeast.
The continued success of the Free State Project requires pulling more liberty lovers off their sinking ships and into the Free State.
To liberty-loving people in nearby states less free, we continue sending envoys to help them learn and connect with the FSP.
This past week, Outreach volunteers ventured deep into Maine — our eastern neighbor, which has fallen from #25 to #43 in the “Freedom in the 50 States” index over the last fifteen years.
Next weekend, I will be personally traveling with outreach volunteers to two other Northeast states.
- I will be a keynote speaker on Saturday, October 24 at the New York State Libertarian Party Convention.
- Additionally, I have recently accepted an invitation to speak the following Sunday, October 25, at the Rhode Island Libertarian Party Convention.
To both groups, I will be sharing practical lessons for making liberty win — and why these lessons led me to make the move to New Hampshire.
If you are in the area, please stop by. I’d love to connect with you.
We always need more Outreach volunteers!
If you’d like to learn about more opportunities to volunteer with FSP Outreach, then join the FSP Outreach Team Signal group.
This is a “no chat” group, which means there are no conversations to keep up with — just outreach volunteer opportunities posted as they become available.
Same Trek, New Mountain
Tomorrow morning, we are setting out with a party of Free Staters and volunteers on the 2nd annual Granite Freedom Trek.
On the advice of our guide, due to expected weather conditions at the summit tomorrow, we have switched our plans from Mount Pierce to Mount Willard.
We still have a few tickets available for last minute decision makers, but this is truly your last chance to sign up!
The next time you hear from me about this trek, it will be with pictures from the summit.
NOTE: Your ticket to the Granite Freedom Trek entitles you to a commemorative t-shirt and access to a post-trek after party with food and drink.
Working to Welcome
Last night at the Quill, FSP Welcome Director Chris Lopez organized and hosted our monthly “Volunteer Night.”
Our plan was simple this time: assemble “Welcome Bags” for new movers — including FSP Passports and helpful information for exploring and experiencing the many corners of the Free State.
What is a Free State Passport?
Moving is only the beginning.
The Free State Passport gives new movers twenty activities to help them meet people and get involved — from introducing themselves at a new mover potluck to helping another mover.
Each page has space to record experiences, contacts, and follow-up plans. It is a pocket-sized guide to building your life in the Free State.
New movers receive one in their Welcome Bag.
Plan Your Porcupine Vacation
Porcupine Report #130: “Plan Your Visit” w/ Dennis Pratt
What does it really feel like to live in New Hampshire’s growing liberty community? Eric sits down with Dennis Pratt to talk about why experiencing the Free State firsthand can be so different from simply hearing about it from afar. They explore the communities, friendships, affinity groups, and opportunities that have developed as thousands of liberty-minded people have made New Hampshire home. Dennis also shares how prospective movers can plan a visit, connect with people who share their interests, and get a taste of everyday life in the Free State.
For many future movers, this is how it starts.
Be sure to check out our friends at the Independence Inn and ask about the FSP discount.
Book Your Visit with a Free State Discount:
(603) 988-0315
carol@nhindependenceinn.com
Free Stater-owned and operated, the Independence Inn helps liberty lovers visit and explore New Hampshire. Any week of the year, come for a visit and they can guide you to Free State events, across five different communities, each within a one-hour drive.
The Independence Inn is a sponsor of the Porcupine Post newsletter and Porcupine Report podcast.
Myth Busting: Do We Attract Bears?
In the Will Ferrell comedy “Anchorman,” his character Ron Burgundy insists that women don’t belong in the newsroom because they will attract bears — putting everyone’s life in danger.
We laugh, but in real life… this is actually one of the most common accusations by NH progressives against Free Staters.
They insist that we attract bears.
Seriously.
Yesterday, at the invitation of the founder of a popular Facebook group, “Granite State Politics,” I hosted an “ask me anything” to take on challenges and questions.
This group is largely dominated by loud, left-wing voices that run amok with conspiracy theories about the Free State Project, so I knew what I was in for.
Still, I took on many good faith questions with good faith in return.
And yet, some kept going on about bears.
Thankfully, we had just completed and published at FSP.org a town-level data analysis of five years of reported bear encounters in New Hampshire, compared against the liberty ratings of local legislators.
Believe it or not, the weak correlation ran in the opposite direction: towns with higher legislative liberty scores tended to have slightly fewer bear reports per capita.
The relationship was small. These numbers do not establish that liberty attracts—or repels—bears.
But apparently, the bears haven’t been reading the liberty scorecards. They are too busy looking for a free lunch.
Click here to read the article.
Thank you to our Porcupine Patrons!
This entire newsletter — and the outreach you just read about — exists because of our patrons.
If you believe in our mission to build 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.” Additionally, you will receive exclusive patron benefits, including our quarterly print newsletter, access to our private Signal group, and perks at all FSP events.
Our Porcupine Patron community is constantly growing. Currently, we have 335 active patrons. Can you help us reach 350?
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donations to the Free State Project are tax-deductible. We welcome donations in dollars, cryptocurrency, and other forms.
Can I count you in as a Porcupine Patron?
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.
For Liberty!
Hon. Eric Brakey
Executive Director
Free State Project
Mark Your Calendar!
Recurring Free State Events
New Mover Potluck Parties!
- Manchester — First Friday
- North Country — Third Saturday
- Upper Valley — First Saturday
Local Meetups!
- Bedford — weekly, Tuesdays
- Plymouth — semi-monthly, Wednesdays
- Seacoast — weekly, Thursdays (changes town)
- Upper Valley — monthly, fourth Tuesday
- Nashua — weekly, Sundays
- Lakes — monthly, third Saturday
- Ossipee — monthly, second Sunday
- Madison — monthly, second Saturday and third Tuesday
- 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.
NHLA Power Hour
Our friends at the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance are now hosting a weekly meeting to network, hear from guest speakers, stay informed and help accelerate the liberty movement. You are invited.
Every Friday, AFP 8025 S. Willow St, Manchester
- 11:30–12:00, Networking & Lunch
- 12:00, Meeting begins
Click here to RSVP (for free lunch).
NH Liberty Club House Events
Free State Voices
Free Staters have a lot to say.
With the Free State Podcast Network, we’re bringing those voices together at 7 p.m. (New Hampshire Time) every weekday.
Together, we’re sharing the ideas, debates, and people shaping life in the Free State—and giving those still planning their move a window into the community waiting for them.
Watch on the Free State Project’s YouTube, Facebook, and X channels. Subscribe, join the conversation, and share an episode with someone who belongs here.
Your Kids Deserve Better Than the Default | Jody Underwood on School Choice (Host: Mark Edge)
Thirteen years is a long time to spend in a system that isn’t working for your kid. On this episode of the Mark Edge Show, Mark is joined by Jody Underwood for a conversation about the education options most families don’t even know they have.
Jody runs Education Options (EdOpt), a New Hampshire nonprofit that helps families find the right fit for their kids, whether that’s a charter school, a private school, homeschooling, or something in between.
Porcupine Report #131: “State of the Midterms” w/ Jack Hunter (Host: Eric Brakey)
Eric Brakey welcomes political commentator Jack Hunter to the Porcupine Report for a candid discussion about the state of American politics and the future of the liberty movement. They explore growing frustration with the Republican Party, shifting political alliances, and what the upcoming midterm elections could mean for advocates of limited government. Despite their concerns about the national political landscape, they discuss opportunities for a new wave of grassroots activism and political change. Plus, updates from the Free State Project and the continued growth of New Hampshire’s liberty community.
Free State Movement, Grassroots Activism & Property Tax Caps w/ Pedro Serra (Host: Carla Gericke)
Carla Gericke welcomes Pedro Serra to discuss his journey from Puerto Rico to New Hampshire and the experiences that shaped his passion for liberty. They explore the Free State movement, the work of the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance, and the importance of grassroots activism in protecting individual freedoms.
NH’s Spending, Property Taxes & Government Reform with Dan McGuire | The Granite Discourse EP 24
New Hampshire State Representative Dan McGuire joins The Granite Discourse to discuss the state’s approach to government, education, and fiscal responsibility. From rising property taxes and school spending to proposed reforms in education funding and local government, McGuire shares his perspective on the challenges facing New Hampshire taxpayers. The conversation also explores the history of the state’s citizen legislature, the influence of the Free State Project, and concerns about government spending and inflation. As he prepares to step away from elected office, McGuire reflects on his years in the legislature and what the future may hold for New Hampshire.
Have you ordered your copy yet?
FSP Director Eric Brakey published his first book — a pithy door-knocking guide of 13 rules for liberty candidates running for local office. This is a must-have for anyone who wants to win at the door.
All proceeds benefit the Free State Project.
Click here to order a copy on Amazon.
As Seen in the Free State
