The MAGA crowd claims that the participants in last weekend’s No Kings demonstrations hate America.
Since when are peaceful demonstrations anti-American? The First Amendment allows for peaceful dissent.
Just because people disagree with President Trump and his vision of government, it does not make them anti-American.
For now, at least, it’s still OK to disagree with him. You might be pursued by Trump’s Department of Justice, but at least you’ll get your day in court and be judged by a jury of your peers. Try as he might, Trump and his supporters can’t get around that.
Scott Shampaner, Coral Springs
Protests provide hope
I’m still worried, but the number of people who turned out for the No Kings protests has me … well, hoping.
I hope the spectacular crowds indicate real activism. I hope that folks trying to erase decades of social progress can see that they cannot just put on an ICE vest and take people away.
We cannot accept the blatant denial of existing laws. We cannot accept that free speech is being denied more and more. I’m hopeful that reason and compassion and tolerance can be reintroduced and that the crazy stuff won’t be tolerated. I hope I’m not wrong.
Teresa Freeman, Coconut Creek
Proud to be a Democrat
Millions of Americans who believe in our Constitution, democracy, free speech and peaceful protest marched in 2,700 locations.
But Republicans and President Trump’s spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, called them “hate America rallies” with “paid protesters” linked to the “antifa/terrorist wing” of the Democratic Party.
I must correct her.
I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic schools and spent six years in the seminary. When I decided that was not my vocation, I volunteered for the Marines in 1967 and stayed there for 21 years.
I’m part of the Democratic Party’s base.
If I could, I would protest the efforts by Project 2025 authors using Trump as their tool to take over our nation and run it as an autocracy of the rich and by the rich — and to hell with the rest of us. My fear is that the troops used to quell future protests will provoke violence so that Trump can declare martial law.
From what I see online, Ms. Leavitt’s patriotic career is that she interned at Fox News and at the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence in college, and is now the voice of Trump. I’ll weigh my actions against hers any day as to who most loves and has served our nation and the values that built it.
Semper Fi, protesters.
Ray Belongie, Lt. Col. USMC (ret)., Sunrise
Remember ‘King Biden’?
To all readers, particularly liberals, I do not endorse Trump’s actions. What I find ironic, if not outright hypocritical, is the presumption that Trump behaves differently than his predecessor.
Joe Biden and his minions often acted King-like and authoritarian. He punished Iowa and New Hampshire in the presidential primaries. He silenced Florida voters by deciding that this state was not worthy of a primary. He refused to debate challengers Dean Phillips, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Marianne Williamson. They were beneath him. One might say the King felt threatened.
When Biden did not seek re-election, he anointed his potential successor Kamala Harris without a single primary or an open convention, just like a king. Somehow, I missed the Biden-is-King protests.
Doug Cohen, Boynton Beach
Votes matter, not protests
After reading in the Sun Sentinel about the protests, I’m confused.
They should have protested unelected activist judges who nullify the will of the people by issuing restraining orders and injunctions against Donald Trump. He made the same promises about securing the border and stopping illegal immigration as other presidents. I guess they’re upset that Trump kept his promises.
He won the Electoral College and the popular vote. In the Biden years, we conservatives had plenty to protest, but we chose the most effective way to change things. We voted.
Frank Pucillo, Davie
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