This weekend, something powerful happened.
More than 10 million people across over 2,000 cities and towns in the U.S., and even in parts of Europe took to the streets, the parks, the bridges and the steps of their cities. They came together to reaffirm the “we” in we the people. People of every background — every age, race, faith, orientation and identity — stood shoulder to shoulder in defense of democracy, freedom and the ideals etched into our Constitution.
These are bewildering and unstable times we are experiencing.
I felt a storm of emotions. At first, encouragement — deep, moving encouragement — to witness so many rising in unity and solidarity. Together, we called out corruption, abuse of power and grift with signs that were witty, biting, heartbreaking and raw. It felt like a heartbeat echoing across the nation.
But that hope was clouded by sorrow.
I’m devastated that our own military — an institution meant to defend the people — has been politicized, weaponized and turned against us. Inserted between a peaceful population and an executive branch that seems to fear accountability, our troops are being used not to protect liberty, but to suppress it. That is not their role. That is not justice.
I’m outraged by the intimidation and unlawful detention of refugees and immigrants — people who came here seeking safety who now live in fear. These tactics are meant to silence. And silence in times like these is a tool of oppression.
And I am grief-stricken. In Washington, D.C., two Israeli Embassy staffers were assassinated. In Minnesota, an elected state representative and her spouse were murdered and a state senator and his spouse injured. In Salt Lake City, an innocent bystander was shot during our protest and later died. These are not isolated events — they are a chilling symptom of a country in crisis.
It takes a truly callous and indecent administration to push millions of people into the streets on their day off. People don’t do that for fun. They do it because something is deeply wrong.
Our commander-in-chief is not a king.
And let’s be clear: Only 32% of the voting population put this administration in office. Another 32% voted for someone else. And 36% didn’t vote at all.
That’s not a mandate. That’s a warning.
Donna Matturo McAleer
Pinebrook