Letter: Protesters standing up for Constitutional rights

To the editor:

Last week, in a letter to the editor, Robert Bledsoe questioned the demonstrators reacting to Donald Trump’s election, and I’d like to correct some of his misperceptions.

Bledsoe asks, “Have the liberal demonstrators given up on our democratic system of government, perhaps in favor of socialism or even anarchy?” The answer is no, and Mr. Bledsoe’s attempt to frame the exercise of free speech as “anarchy” is, frankly, disturbing, and illustrates the reason people were in the streets.

Mr. Trump campaigned on a platform of divisive rhetoric, promised mass deportations, threatened religious litmus tests for immigrants, penned up and demonized journalists, chose as his running mate someone with a record of disregard for women’s rights and the LBGT community, and now has filled his cabinet with far-right partisans. 

Over the weekend, he went so far as to call on artists — the cast of Hamilton — to apologize for an act of free speech. If this foreshadows how he intends to govern, there is reason for concern.

Those who are protesting are not questioning the results of the election or the democratic process. But we are putting Mr. Trump on notice that Americans will firmly stand up for the rights enumerated in the Constitution. Far from being “anarchists,” Mr. Bledsoe, that makes us the true conservatives.

If anyone wishes to join in this effort, you can find out more at https://resisthateri.com.

John G. McDaid

65 Gormley Ave.

Portsmouth