Letters

I am writing to express my concerns regarding Donald Trump’s violent and cruel attacks on immigrants, migrants and American communities, which have escalated to attacks on our constitutional rights of freedom of speech, peaceful protest and due process, and to deploying the military against Americans.

While American communities rally to protect their neighbors and families, the administration has stepped up brazen and violent attacks, focused on the city of Los Angeles. The brutal assault on peaceful residents of Los Angeles has reminded many of the deadly events from Kent State and Jackson State in 1970, when another divisive president pushed our democracy and Constitution to the brink and further divided our nation.

These lawless attacks, just like the lawless deportations, arrests and visa revocations that have preceded them, violate many rights, are without due process, and seek to upend the constitutional right to assembly and freedom to speak out against the actions of this government.

As someone who lived through the McCarthy era, Japanese internment and the civil rights movement, I know the dangers of unchecked power and racism disguised as law. At my age, I’ve seen what happens when our nation allows fear and prejudice to override justice. We cannot let it happen again.

The Alien Enemies Act should have been buried with the worst parts of our history, not revived to target vulnerable people.

As a grandparent, I want my grandchildren to grow up in a country where justice, fairness and compassion matter.

End these divisive, militaristic and unlawful attacks on American communities now.

Paul Bresnick

East Hampton