Washington DC’s mayor Muriel Bowser, who initially voiced her strong objection to Donald Trump’s introduction of the National Guard into DC, has most recently changed her tune. She belatedly expresses her gratitude for the reduction in crime that has come about through the use of these troops.
It is certainly possible for a government to reduce crime to virtually zero by eliminating due process in the courts, expanding capital punishment and generally implementing a police state, and the Trump administration is moving fast along this path. But our democracy’s founding document, eloquently stating “[w]e hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” implicitly recognizes that a balance must exist between policing the population and affording that population freedoms, if the goal is to have a society where people can reach their potential.
But since Trump returned to office, liberty, happiness, and the life we thought we had, are every day being replaced with new fears. We see the effect of fear seemingly everywhere: Ms. Bowser, motivated by fear for her city, hoped that her conciliatory words would keep the Trump lash from off the back of her city. Leaders of our public and private educational institutions bend to Trump’s will through fear; corporate leaders, motivated by fear, traipse down to meetings with Trump where they grant him concessions. Through fear, the Republican Congress offers no resistance to Trump’s grab of Congress’ constitutionally granted powers, and the Supreme Court appears to be little better at standing up to Trump.
But let us, the majority, in this moment be cognizant that a united majority can overcome injustice, and taking strength from the purposes expressed in our country’s founding document say “NO” to Trump, in all the ways we know how. Without in any way resorting to violence.
Kristin Hedges
South Hadley