For years, the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security have been arming local police, through programs such as the Law Enforcement Support Office of the Department of Defense, which according to their website, has supplied police with over $5.1 billion worth of property such as small arms, vehicles, and clothing. This has resulted in the militarization of local police, with weapons and equipment being sent to local agencies. Lots of these supplies have been used to suppress peaceful protests, bringing up the question of the first amendment, which grants the right to assembly. It is clear that this program is being abused by local law enforcement, and must be stopped.
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