Ocean Shores City Council meeting disappointing

I am extremely disappointed in the outcome of the Ocean Shores City Council meeting of April 8.

The accusations and sniping completely distracted from the serious issue that Ms. VanHorn so rightly addressed in her presentation to the council. The issue is the political oppression of our First Amendment Right by an elected official, the mayor of Ocean Shores.

The accusations and name calling simply muddy the water and makes people angrier. Who says what to who is unpleasant but, totally beside the point. I have participated in voter education and registration since 2016 with Indivisible and I was there when Mayor Frank Elduen insisted that the word democracy be concealed and I know absolutely for certain that there was no partisan literature or signs to indicate political preferences.

As Ms. VanHorn stated, Indivisible has contacted every relevant state and county office to verify that the sign we have used for eight years is perfectly proper and legal. The health of our United States, our democracy and yes if you like, our republic depends on the active participation of our citizens by their votes. Registering those citizens to do so is a civic duty that Indivisible takes seriously.

Suzanne Hierholzer

Hoquiam

Trumpism is denying free speech rights

At the top of my list of un-American activities by the Trumpsters is denial of free speech rights granted in Amendment I of our Constitution.

They are threatening journalists, attorneys, military officers, students, protesters, legislators, governors, foreign diplomats and others who have expressed opinions which differ from theirs.

For one example, federal dollars are withheld from universities which Trumpsters accuse of anti-Semitism, referring to past protests against U. S. military support of Israel.

Evidence for conclusions of anti-Semitism? Only their say-so. True, some students may have felt targeted during campus protests, probably not only Jewish students, but also Palestinian students. All students and faculty regardless of identity should feel included. Abruptly cutting off funds which any agency depends on without notice or the opportunity to present a case or plans for improvement will not really address the problem (if there is one).

However, protecting Jewish students may not be the actual goal. The apparent goal is to threaten free expression of views which differ from the President’s, and that goal is un-American.

Across our country and in our state, legal immigrants who have supported Palestinian rights using their rights of free speech and peaceable assembly have been arrested by masked, plainclothes agents without notice, warrants or charges. Immigrants have been deprived of visas, detained, and/or deported without due process.

I am an American citizen. I also oppose U.S. military support of Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. I protest both countries’ actions. Religion is not part of my protest.

Like many of you, I wish to exercise my right of free speech without being disappeared.

Becky Durr

Aberdeen