Operation Garden Plot
The Department of Defense Civil Disturbance Plan, also known by its cryptonym GARDEN PLOT, is a general US Army and National Guard plan to respond to major domestic civil disturbances within the United States. The plan was developed in response to the civil disorders of the 1960s and is now under the control of the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM). It provides Federal military and law enforcement assistance to local governments during times of major civil disturbances.
"The Garden Plot plan—drafted after the Watts, Newark, and Detroit riots—captures the acrimonious times when the document was drawn up. The section outlining the Army's perception of the "situation" in America certainly insinuates existence of an establishment who fear the disenfranchised. The "Plot" warns against "racial unrest," as well as "anti-draft" and "anti-Vietnam" elements."[1]
Garden Plot was last activated (as Noble Eagle) to provide military assistance to civil authorities following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. The Pentagon also activated it to restore order during the 1992 Los Angeles Riots.[2] Under Homeland Security restructuring, it has been suggested that similar models be followed.
“ | Oversight of these homeland security missions should be provided by the National Guard Bureau based on the long-standing Garden Plot model in which National Guard units are trained and equipped to support civil authorities in crowd control and civil disturbance missions. | ” | |
— Major General Richard C. Alexander, ARNGUS (Ret.), Executive Director, National Guard Association of the United States, Testimony in the Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing on Homeland Defense, April 11, 2002[3] |
References
- ↑ Nate, Jones. "Document Friday: "Garden Plot:" The Army's Emergency Plan to Restore "Law and Order" to America". NSA Archive. The George Washington University. Retrieved 21 March 2012.,
- ↑ "Brigadier General Matthew P. Beevers". General Officer Management. National Guard Bureau. August 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
- ↑ http://appropriations.senate.gov/releases/record.cfm?id=182288
See also
External links
- http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/garden_plot.htm
- Document Friday: “Garden Plot:” The Army’s Emergency Plan to Restore “Law and Order” to America, National Security Archive
- , National Security Archive