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 Events Calendar

Browns' bash draws about 200

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By KRISTEN SENZ
Sunday News Correspondent

An estimated 200 people turned out for the "Live Free or Die Concert" at the Plainfield home of convicted tax evaders Ed and Elaine Brown yesterday. As of early evening, police were calling it a peaceful gathering.

About 100 cars lined one side of the Browns' half-mile driveway by early afternoon. Helicopters circled overhead as new arrivals searched for parking.

At least four musical acts -- Poker Face, Blue Eyed Fools, Paperback Radio, Dave von Kliest and Matt Kazee -- were scheduled to perform at the party, which the Browns promoted on their Web site as featuring "food, drinks and fun."

Plainfield police regulating traffic at the top of the driveway said they would tow any vehicles parked on Center of Town Road.

Plainfield Police Chief Gordon Gillens said a traffic counter he installed Friday on the gravel, dead-end road more than a mile from the Browns' property was stolen sometime between 9 p.m. and midnight.

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"We're not happy with that deal, that they stole our counter -- or somebody did," Gillens said. Stealing the $1,500 piece of equipment amounts to a class A felony, he added.

Several of the Browns' supporters videotaped the chief and another officer as they finished installing the traffic counter Friday afternoon.

Brown and his supporters welcomed a New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News reporter into their home Friday, but yesterday turned away that same reporter, saying "mainstream media" were unwelcome and that only "alternative media" were allowed on the property.

The Browns continue to demand the federal government show them the law that makes them liable to pay federal income taxes; a law they say does not exist. They have vowed not to serve their five-year prison sentences, and to fight back with deadly force if federal agents try to apprehend them.

U.S. Marshal Steve Monier has said he's determined to resolve the impasse peacefully.

Yesterday, Monier said local police were updating him regularly about the activity at the Browns' house. He would not say whether the helicopters flying above the property contained federal agents.

"I'm not going to get into what kind of resources we have there," he said.

"We have taken steps to ensure that there are adequate resources available to Chief Gillens and his department to preserve public safety."

The live music and partying at the Browns' was scheduled to last until 10 p.m. last night, interspersed with speeches by Ruby Ridge survivor Randy Weaver and others.