Dear Editor: More than 50 Sitkans braved the cold to honor ICE victims on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Back Beach with Lady Justice presiding over the bonfire. Blind Lady Justice symbolizes the fairness and impartiality of justice equal for all, and especially critical right now, that we cannot let Justice be purchased.
We began with a land acknowledgement and a moving poem about Renee Good’s unnecessary death read by Lisa Sadleir-Hart.
We heard a personal account from Hannah Blanke detailing her family’s experience helping deliver groceries and giving assistance to people afraid to leave their homes in Minneapolis neighborhoods. Hannah’s sister suggested that if people in Sitka wish to help, money is the best assistance right now. People are afraid to go to work and are therefore unable to buy food or pay for rent and fuel. Hannah gave us the name of charities in Minneapolis including standwithminnesota.org; and 2nd Harvest Heartland as well as her sister’s information if anyone wants to contact her. We encourage people to consider donating to help those who are more immediately at risk.
Tom Begich called in to share his horror of the current situation and his belief in the power of people to force changes to the current situation. He stated that people gathering together, raising our voices, and supporting one another is the strongest tool we have right now.
Singer/songwriter Linny Simkin wrote two songs encouraging people to Get Up and Take Action! for the occasion. King George made an appearance reminding us of past authoritarian regimes that were not tolerated by the people.
We sent notecards with peoples’ wishes for the future of our country and our world up in flames making them stronger and giving us more resolve to act to change the current political situation.
Remember that heroes are only ordinary people who did the right thing at the time it was called for. We can all be heroes and now is our time to stand up, speak out, and support all the people of our increasingly fragile democracy.
Thank you for doing what you are able to do.
Pat Kehoe, Sitka
