CONCORD — A Concord man was arrested Tuesday after police say he placed a series of makeshift “scarecrow” displays around town that targeted the Laurie Hunter, the superintendent of the Concord Public Schools and the Concord‑Carlisle Regional School District.
According to a statement from the Concord Police Department, John Grace, 56, was taken into custody at his North Branch Road home on Nov. 25, 2025, and charged with violating a harassment prevention order.
Police first responded on Sept. 22 to the area of Monument Square after receiving a report of a sign directed toward the superintendent. In the weeks that followed, officers responded to and investigated additional reports of signs that were placed in various locations around town, also directed at the superintendent.
The Concord Bridge reported that Police added extra patrols around school grounds and temporarily escorted Hunter to and from her office because she was concerned about a potential “violent outburst.”
The signs were attached to makeshift “scarecrow” displays, which typically consisted of trash bags mounted on wooden crosspieces, with messages such as “Fire liar Hunter,” “The hatchet for Hunter,” and slogans like “hate, waste, bullying, higher taxes.”
Through an investigation conducted in partnership with Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, police identified Grace as the suspect.
In May 2025, the superintendent was granted a harassment prevention order against Grace. As a result of the subsequent investigation into the alleged violations of that order, Concord police sought and obtained an arrest warrant. The warrant was executed at approximately 9:53 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
Police said Grace was arrested without incident and was arraigned Tuesday in Concord District Court.
During his arraignment, Grace’s attorney, George King, said the case was “improper” and maintained that his client is an activist who is “being punished for political speech,” according to The Concord Bridge.
Following his arraignment, Grace was released on his own personal recognizance.
