Letter to the LNP Editor; text as submitted January 31, 2026
Two hundred fifty years ago colonists in North America declared their independence from tyrannical rule. After seven years of war and eight more of discussion, heated debate, and grudging compromise, they had crafted a Constitution and Bill of Rights to govern their new nation. Though far from perfect, for the most part those documents with amendments have served us reasonably well.
Disturbingly, however, for the last year we have been living under an increasingly lawless and violent regime. Commentary has noted that Trump has not just been violating the Constitution; he is acting as if it doesn’t exist. He is sending heavily armed and masked thugs into cities against which he has vowed retribution. Those troops are terrifying neighborhoods, disappearing people into brutal concentration camps, and murdering observers on the streets.
The flood of lies issuing from government officials about the victims and the circumstances of their killings are easily disproved, but the lasting harm is very real. The provisions contained in the Bill of Rights are being violated with impunity. If Republican lawmakers had any concern for justice and national wellbeing, Trump wouldn’t be in office, and we wouldn’t be living this nightmare.
The brutality of ICE’s occupation of Minneapolis is horrifying, and that is not the only city under siege. In contrast the resistance of the residents, the way they have rallied to protect and care for their neighbors, is inspiration for us all. Just as our founders did in 1776, we must demand an end to tyranny and immediate restoration of our Constitutional and human rights.
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