At an event in New Hampshire on April 28, our governor made an appeal for all of us to channel our anger and discontent toward meaningful protest and direct action against the terrible policies of our national government. Voicing our discontent cannot only happen around Election Day. We must constantly remind each other, our elected officials, and the world that the whole of the nation does not agree with the actions of this administration.
The mass protests of the last few months have been well attended by many in our community. Our local Democratic Party, in collaboration with other community activist organizations, have been bringing people to march together, to let each other know that we are not alone in our disaffections and our discontent.
There is anger about disappearances of our neighbors by ICE, who cloak themselves in masks to hide their shame, targeting citizens and immigrants with impunity.
There is anger about the defunding of programs across the country that supported our schools, hospitals and research institutions, which means more disadvantages for children, more untreated illnesses, more environmental damage and less scientific progress.
There is anger about the destruction of Gaza, which the U.S. has ceaselessly facilitated while ignoring the declarations and warnings of the UN and of international humanitarian organizations — that Israel is an apartheid state killing tens of thousands of civilians. We have violated our own human rights legislation, specifically the Leahy Laws, which were enacted in 1997 to prevent us from providing weapons to armies that credibly violate human rights. Even Israeli human rights groups now acknowledge they are committing genocide against the Palestinians.
If you feel this anger, and express it in protest, in conversation with your friends and families, in letters to your representatives or in posts on your social media, I encourage you, do not stop! Whether it be an activist group, a political campaign, or a book club, stay involved! Oak Park and Forest Park are full of caring and passionate people and many opportunities to continue the struggle.
Jonah Harlan
Forest Park
