Dear Editor: July is a month filled with patriotic zeal, magnified this year with celebrations of the 250th Anniversary of American democracy on July 4.
We are currently fighting (nonviolently, of course) for the soul of our country – working to wrest power from an authoritarian administration and build a democracy that works for all its people. As Theodore Roosevelt said: “Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official.” We are the patriots of today.
Fourth of July will be a day of action all over the country.
In Sitka, Sitkans for Peace and Democracy invites community members to join in standing up for democracy, against authoritarianism, and for a future built on peace and justice for all, Saturday, July 4, noon to 1 p.m., at the roundabout. Bring a sign expressing a favorite democratic vision, principle, or dream – or just come stand with us. Bring family, friends and neighbors! Let’s ring the roundabout with patriotic protest! (And be done in time to enjoy the Fourth of July parade.)
No kings. Not in 1776. Not now. Not ever.
Donna Donohoe, Connie Kreiss, Cindy Litman, Ann Walter, for Sitkans for Peace and Democracy
