For a state whose motto is to live free, the legislature is churning out bills that most definitely don’t allow NH residents and businesses the freedom to express themselves or take a moral stand. One bill, SB 439, the anti boycott, divestment and sanction (BDS) bill is anti-democratic. Companies doing business with Israel like Nashua’s BAE, just received a federal CHIPS grant for $34 million. These taxpayer dollars are being invested in making parts for F-35 jets which are part of a deal estimated at $3 billion and financed by U.S. military aid to Israel.

According to an NHPR transcript, NH is also home to defense contractor facilities: Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon. BAE is the maker of electronics for, in NHPR’s word, “critical” defense programs including the F-35 fighter jet program. Concord Monitor readers should wonder why these defense programs are critical, for what purpose and why are so many located here in NH. To date 24,000 innocent lives in Gaza and other conflicts have been lost directly because of these industries. They deserve to be boycotted. Once unleashed a bill like this won’t stop at state contracts. It could morph into other laws that chill political discourse. Will a candidate for political office be doxxed if somewhere in their resume they supported BDS or other causes that a current legislature deems abhorrent. I urge people to vote their conscience and oppose SB 439. Go to NH.gov website’s Senate remote testimony on Jan. 24.

Sharon Racusin

Hanover