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‘No Kings’ rallies put
patriotism on parade
Re: “‘No Kings’ rallies galvanize region” (Page A1, Oct. 19).
Saturday, I attended two local “No Kings” rallies. They were uplifting. People lined the streets holding home-made signs for passing cars. People stated their love for America and its Constitution. There was as much flag-waving and wearing red, white and blue clothing as on any July 4th.
Republican claims beforehand that they were “Hate America” rallies were so inaccurate as to be laughable. Flag-waving aside, what could be truer to American ways than people exercising their First Amendment rights to assemble and petition their government and tell it what they think of its policies? What is more American? Our revolutionary origins story is about resisting a tyrannical king for violating our inalienable rights. The crowds I was in conducted themselves peacefully and patriotically.
I do not say that the president’s supporters are un-American, but I do say emphatically that today’s protesters were as patriotically American as anyone can be.
Beth Howard-Pitney
Cupertino
Bay Area marches were
a sanctuary for sanity
Re: “‘No Kings’ rallies galvanize region” (Page A1, Oct. 19).
Saturday’s peaceful “No Kings” protest at St. James Park was a magnificent show of sanity, humor and community outrage.
I was especially heartened that the San Jose Police Department made us feel safe and respected as we exercised our First Amendment rights.
Karyn Sinunu-Towery
San Jose
Prop. 50 undermines
the people’s power
Proposition 50 undermines fair representation by allowing temporary, partisan control over congressional maps.
Gerrymandering silences voters, protects political power and erodes the principle that government should serve the people. Every citizen deserves equal representation, not boundaries drawn to entrench one side’s advantage.
Democracy depends on transparency and accountability, not manipulation by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Akeem Mostamandy
San Jose
Irresponsible Measure A
deserves our no vote
Re: “Vote no on Measure A sales tax hike” (Page A12, Oct. 19).
As a life-long resident here in Santa Clara County, I know I don’t like taxes, but I tolerate the pain when I see that local government is fiscally responsible. That’s not the case with our current county government.
They have exploded the size of their operation over the past few years without fiscal restraint, as shown by the Mercury News editorial this last Sunday. In addition to all the points the editorial staff mentioned, they have ignored warnings from three recent civil grand jury reports criticizing them for poor policies and fiscal procedures. Their response in each case was essentially, “We don’t agree with your findings, and we’re not changing anything.”
It’s time for them to tighten their belt and cut the fat before coming to us for more money. I urge you to join me in voting no on Measure A.
Rich Crowley
San Jose
Dehumanizing tactics
by ICE must end
The conditions in ICE detention facilities and during ICE raids are catastrophic and extremely humiliating. Families are being torn apart, children are wondering if their parents will return home, and people are being treated as criminals rather than human beings. Many are held in cramped cells, with inadequate food, no medical care and limited access to legal representation.
These are not dangerous people; they are parents, laborers and dreamers who have come here looking for safety and opportunities. It breaks my heart to see them handled so cruelly. Nobody deserves to be imprisoned in horrible conditions or to live in constant fear of being removed from their home.
As a community, we cannot remain silent. The suffering and trauma caused by ICE raids and detention facilities must end. Everyone is entitled to dignity, respect and the right to live without fear.
Crystal Murillo
Monterey
Permitting hate speech
will end democracy
Much has been made of the communications among young Republicans in New York. Rife with racism, sexism, misogyny and laughing comments about using a gas chamber, these thoughts are truly repugnant.
What’s been ignored in this discussion is that somebody raised these people. Somebody said it’s OK to think these thoughts. And if not, why aren’t they admonishing their offspring to behave, at a minimum, in a Christian manner?
It’s become common for members of the MAGA cult to compliment their leader for giving them the freedom to speak their minds. It’s now quite clear that a lot of what people are thinking is morally bankrupt and their cult leader is only too happy to encourage these thoughts and the concomitant behaviors associated with them. Senior members of the cult cower in fear of the leader’s disfavor and refuse to condemn any of this. A democratic society cannot survive if this continues.
Eugene Ely
San Jose