To the Editor:

I was shocked that the April 11 issue of The Newtown Bee had zero coverage of what was undoubtedly the biggest news item in town that occurred on Saturday, April 5, when hundreds of people gathered at The Pleasance to protest the heavy-handed governance by the Trump administration. Followed by a march to the flagpole, it was an event not to be ignored.

On what was a cold and rainy day, the Hands-Off rally attracted people from families with children in strollers to elderly people assisted by friends and loved ones, and all of the people in between who seem to care that the American government is being run by those loyal to a person, not the Constitution they have pledged to uphold. (And to those who would say these were paid protesters: Dozens of my friends and me, as well as the hundreds of familiar faces there, want to know where we apply to get the money, because we sure as heck haven’t received any…!)

This rally was one of thousands across the nation. Millions of Americans are not happy with the direction this administration is taking. It has alienated our allies worldwide with threats to absorb their nations and impose tariffs that will harm global economies. It has enabled hackers access to agencies and our private information under the cloak of finding fraud (oh, the irony!) and waste. Yet the so-called Department of Government Efficiency has not credibly supported savings it once said would be in the trillions… Oops, billions… Oops, millions… Thousands?

Congress has decided to cede its power to the executive branch, cowering at the wrath of a vengeful leader. This administration has sent people to a prison in El Salvador notorious for its human rights abuses, and not only refused to facilitate the release of those whose imprisonment was “administrative error,” but our president, vice president and others shared a laugh with that country’s leader over the idea of potentially sending all kinds of Americans to that prison limbo.

Universities, law firms, and any media that does not bend the knee to the president are under attack. And what better way to destroy democracy than limiting educational opportunities and research, squelching free speech, and allowing propaganda to flourish?

There are millions of Americans who did not vote for this president and still must be acknowledged as citizens deserving attention. There are millions who understand now that this president is determined to trample the rule of law that made the USA a respected, powerful nation, a place of pride and justice — for all.

Protests and letter writing, however, are not enough. The power lies in the vote. Whenever you have the opportunity to do so, vote. Vote for what will keep our democracy safe and functioning for every American. If the change in this country you want is one of kindness, not cruelty; thoughtfulness, not vengeance; wisdom, not whim; mercy, not hate — then make your voice heard now, and make every vote count.

Nancy K. Crevier

Newtown

Editor’s Note: A story and photos on the April 5 event at The Pleasance are running in this week’s issue. The story was not finished in time for print for the April 11 issue.