While the United states Armed Forces (private mercenaries) are stationed at 737 bases, in 130 nations around the world, defending “all freedom-loving people everywhere in the world,” New York City park officials order the removal of a bust of Edward Snowden (patriot-whistleblower) that had been anonymously erected in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene Park, at a First American Revolution War Memorial.  The unnamed artists released a statement saying:

       Fort Greene’s Prison Ship Martyrs Monument is a memorial to American POWs who lost their lives during the Revolutionary War.  We have updated this monument to highlight those who sacrifice their safety in the fight against modern-day tyrannies.  It would be a dishonor to those memorialized here to not laud those who protect the ideals they fought for, as Edward Snowden has by bringing the NSA’s 4th-Amendment-violating surveillance programs to light.  All too often, figures who strive to uphold these ideals have been cast as criminals rather than in bronze.

       [added 12/15/2022]