DEAR EDITOR:

Republicans, rather cleverly they think, have called the “No Kings” rallies by millions of American citizens in hundreds of cities throughout our country, “Hate America” rallies when they are truly the exact opposite of that. These are American citizens of every background and social status who recognize the danger to our democracy that Trump’s authoritarian government poses to our Constitution, to our basic human rights, and to our freedoms.

These are “Love America” rallies. In 1963, Bob Dylan penned the words, “Come Congressmen, Senators, please heΩed the call … there’s a battle outside and it’s raging. It’ll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls.” It should be no surprise to anyone that a response to the tyranny of this administration is protests, demonstrations, rebellion and yes, violence, by the oppressed, ignored, and underrepresented majority of American people. Recent polling across America shows that 30% of Americans feel that violence may be necessary to save our democracy. That alarming statistic reflects how desperate this situation really is.

Since our elected representatives have abandoned their oath to “preserve and protect our Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic,” this heroic fight must be waged by “the people” to preserve our democracy and defend our Constitution. This war is every citizen’s right and responsibility and will not be lost. The will of “the people” is a powerful and living force that defines our democracy and will prevail against this atrocity and aberration that is Trump and the new GOP.

THOMAS BRENT

Struthers