US Law Enforcement Grabs Billions of Dollars in Discounted Military Gear, Sparking Concerns Over Growing Threat to Free Speech and Civil Rights.
A new report by Women for Weapons Trade Transparency has revealed that US law enforcement agencies have been purchasing tens of millions of dollars' worth of discounted military gear under a lesser-known federal program called the 1122 program. The program, which was established in 1994, allows local police departments to buy surplus military equipment at reduced prices.
According to the report, the 1122 program has allowed law enforcement agencies to purchase everything from armored vehicles and video surveillance systems to thermal imaging equipment and riot gear at significantly discounted rates. The total value of the purchases made through the program is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
The concerns are raised over the increased militarization of US law enforcement, which critics argue has contributed to a growing threat to free speech and civil rights. "All of these things combined serve as a threat to free speech, an intimidation tactic to protest," said Lillian Mauldin, co-founder of Women for Weapons Trade Transparency.
The report also highlights the lack of transparency surrounding the 1122 program, which has led to concerns that law enforcement agencies are not being held accountable for their use of military-grade equipment. "We suspect that total spending could be in the upper hundreds of millions," Mauldin said. "My best guess would be above $500 million."
The revelations have sparked renewed calls for greater transparency and accountability around the militarization of US law enforcement. In a statement, Women for Weapons Trade Transparency called for an end to the 1122 program, citing concerns over its impact on free speech and civil rights.
As President Donald Trump's executive order revokes an executive order issued by his predecessor Joe Biden aimed at reducing the transfer of military gear to local police departments, critics warn that the militarization of law enforcement is set to increase. "It is concerning," Mauldin said, "to think that our police departments have increasingly more access to this type of military style gear to facilitate these raids and arrests."
The report's findings come at a time when concerns over police brutality and the erosion of civil liberties in the US are growing. The Intercept has been critical of President Trump's handling of the crisis, arguing that his response has exacerbated tensions between law enforcement and communities of color.
"We understand the challenge we face in Trump and the vital importance of press freedom in defending democracy," said a statement from The Intercept. "We will continue to cover the story and push for greater transparency and accountability around the militarization of US law enforcement."
A new report by Women for Weapons Trade Transparency has revealed that US law enforcement agencies have been purchasing tens of millions of dollars' worth of discounted military gear under a lesser-known federal program called the 1122 program. The program, which was established in 1994, allows local police departments to buy surplus military equipment at reduced prices.
According to the report, the 1122 program has allowed law enforcement agencies to purchase everything from armored vehicles and video surveillance systems to thermal imaging equipment and riot gear at significantly discounted rates. The total value of the purchases made through the program is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
The concerns are raised over the increased militarization of US law enforcement, which critics argue has contributed to a growing threat to free speech and civil rights. "All of these things combined serve as a threat to free speech, an intimidation tactic to protest," said Lillian Mauldin, co-founder of Women for Weapons Trade Transparency.
The report also highlights the lack of transparency surrounding the 1122 program, which has led to concerns that law enforcement agencies are not being held accountable for their use of military-grade equipment. "We suspect that total spending could be in the upper hundreds of millions," Mauldin said. "My best guess would be above $500 million."
The revelations have sparked renewed calls for greater transparency and accountability around the militarization of US law enforcement. In a statement, Women for Weapons Trade Transparency called for an end to the 1122 program, citing concerns over its impact on free speech and civil rights.
As President Donald Trump's executive order revokes an executive order issued by his predecessor Joe Biden aimed at reducing the transfer of military gear to local police departments, critics warn that the militarization of law enforcement is set to increase. "It is concerning," Mauldin said, "to think that our police departments have increasingly more access to this type of military style gear to facilitate these raids and arrests."
The report's findings come at a time when concerns over police brutality and the erosion of civil liberties in the US are growing. The Intercept has been critical of President Trump's handling of the crisis, arguing that his response has exacerbated tensions between law enforcement and communities of color.
"We understand the challenge we face in Trump and the vital importance of press freedom in defending democracy," said a statement from The Intercept. "We will continue to cover the story and push for greater transparency and accountability around the militarization of US law enforcement."
. Like, isn’t this just a recipe for disaster? All these heavy-duty tools are basically designed for war zones, not our streets. It’s no wonder people are getting intimidated and feeling like they can’t even protest without being treated like terrorists. The lack of transparency around all this is just mind-boggling 
. I mean, what if some of that gear gets lost or stolen? We don’t want it falling into the wrong hands 
. We need stricter regulations on this stuff, ASAP 
️.
this is wild... so basically our cops are buying military gear at like 90% off because of some program that was created in 1994... and now they're worried about free speech and civil rights? 
how does discounted mil gear affect those things? also, who's keeping track of all these purchases? $500 million is a pretty big number... where's the source on that? 
like, what's next? them having drones or tanks to control peaceful protests? it's not right that they can just buy this stuff without anyone knowing how much they're spending on it. someone needs to hold these law enforcement agencies accountable for their actions 
they're just trying 2 get better equipment 4 the cops 2 handle situations better, not 2 intimidate protesters or sth 
but at da same time, transparency is key, can't have law enforcement just runnin' around w/ military gear without anyone knowin' what's goin' on 
maybe they should just be more open about it 
and btw, 
can we pls just focus on the real issues like police brutality & racial inequality 4 a change? 
I think it's time for some serious oversight and accountability... our freedom to protest and express ourselves shouldn't be threatened by the very people supposed to protect us! 