Evan McGlinn for The New York Times

Occupy New Hampshire has a full slate of events ahead of the state’s primary on Tuesday, but many members of the group are distancing themselves from some of the tactics that saw members of Occupy the Caucus arrested last week in Iowa.

From New Hampshire Reporting on the candidates and voters from the Granite State.

On Friday night, about 60 or 70 individuals gathered in Manchester’s Veteran’s Memorial Park — a regular gathering place for the protesters here. Tents had been temporarily set up for logistics, media and the all-important sign-making.

Hanging over the park was a banner with the words “Evolve or die,” which is fitting for an occupation that lost its own permanent encampment in October a mere five days after it began.



“We have events planned to inform, enlighten and engage — not to obstruct,” said Michael Grosse, a 27-year-old multimedia producer from Newmarket, N.H., who has worked with Occupy New Hampshire since last fall. “It gets a lot of people wanting to get involved, rather than when they see people getting arrested.”

But peaceful does not necessarily mean subtle. Earlier this week, Mark Provost, one of the protesters, made headlines when he asked Mitt Romney about his comments equating corporations with people. The group plans to continue questioning candidates at campaign events.

But Mr. Provost said the group is urging its members to stop short of interfering with the vote itself. “We respect the rights of the New Hampshire system and we are not going to interfere with the voting process,” said Mr. Provost.

Members say there is currently no formal demonstration planned at polling places on Tuesday, although they will distribute signs reading “Money out of politics” to polling places. Instead, the group has planned a full weekend program of teach-ins, performances and marches with a stated goal of education and outreach.

One example of that approach takes the form of a wooden elephant, at least 8 feet tall, that group members gingerly wheeled into camp Friday night.

Susi Moore, an accountant from Boston who built the elephant with her husband, said it is the “elephant in the room,” equipped with a monitor to show pictures and video, on which occupiers will write the questions they have for the candidates. “It embodies the voices that are left out of politics as usual,” said Ms. Moore. “Magnificent, isn’t it?”

It will participate in the “Funeral Procession for the American Dream,” which will be held outside of the Republican debate at St. Anselm College Saturday night.

Ken Jaggard is delivering the eulogy. “We do have a coffin,” he said, though the group hasn’t decided whether anything will be inside. “We’re going to see how it works. If it gets too heavy, if it gets too absurd, we won’t be able to pull that part off.”