At this time, as it has always been necessary, we must protect our community’s freedom of expression with all concerted consciousness to ensure that government works for us instead of to limit us.
This is why it was shocking and abhorrent that our district attorney, David Sullivan, chose to participate in a protest at Hampshire College aimed at limiting the First Amendment rights of that college community.
We would hope that when Mr. Sullivan ran for “chief law enforcement official for the Northwestern District of Hampshire and Franklin counties,” he understood that he was no longer at liberty to demand that citizens express patriotism that conforms to his personal, cultural and generational expectations. Instead, he was elected to protect the constitutional rights of everyone in this community, including how each citizen lawfully comes to terms with the recent presidential election, and lawfully relates to the American flag.
What does it say to the students and faculty at Hampshire College when the district attorney comes on campus to wave an American flag, chant “raise our flag” and shame them into flying one as well?
Will Mr. Sullivan use his powerful law enforcement office to limit other types of speech or prosecute symbolic protesters with whom he does not agree?
Have we really made such little progress as a society that the chief law enforcement official is heralded for demanding young adult citizens exhibit patriotism in a particular way?
Molly Strehorn Ryan
Amherst
Madeline Weaver Blanchette
Northampton
The writers are both attorneys.