In response to Bill Adamson’s recent letter as well as comments on social media, I feel the need to defend our hardworking parade organizers for their apt choice of theme of America’s 250th birthday celebration, “Resistance Is Revolutionary.” Revolutionary resistance is literally what the 4th of July celebration is about. Our founders resisted the tyranny of a British monarchy that imposed unfair policies on them. They led a revolution and built our nation on the foundations of democracy. The Warren parade exemplifies that democracy in action and the freedoms it provides, including freedom of speech. It creates a community-wide platform for free expression of values and ideas to celebrate what you love about our nation and to speak against what you disagree with. Anyone is welcome to express their opinion. That’s what you have the right—even the responsibility—to do at the polls, thanks to our founders.
The 250th celebration honors those rights and freedoms that should be afforded to every American citizen. What an appropriate time to defend those rights, which certain leaders would like to limit for many Americans. It is a celebration of the freedoms we enjoy, such as free speech and the right to resist what we believe is wrong, which so many of us see in our country these days—threats to free and fair elections; lack of access to health care and basic essentials like food and fuel while billionaires thrive; involvement in foreign wars; violence towards American citizens; discrimination and hate; lack of due process; the repeal of reproductive rights and access to lifesaving reproductive care; environmental protections; etc., etc., etc.
How ironic that Mr. Adamson believes that those who resist fascism and oligarchy have been awarded a “lifetime of trust funding” (not true) while the president himself has been given every privilege imaginable and yet, rather than use his advantages for good, has employed them only for personal gain. He and his cronies seek to silence and punish anyone who speaks against him, questions his actions or policies, or refuses to pledge fealty to him, much like the monarchy our founders resisted.
I appreciate Peter Oliver’s recent My View on the true meaning of patriotism, which I agree entails a civic duty to ensure ongoing freedoms and rights for all Americans. It is hardly those so-called “extra-privileged” patriots who believe in inalienable human rights who are using their platforms to divide this nation. The real “extra-privileged” are the Trump family and its billionaire buddies, who take away critical resources and rights from our nation’s most vulnerable citizens while lining their own pockets and advancing their own political gains. It is the current administration that is dividing the country, disparaging those who disagree with its leaders or challenge its authority and seeking to silence free speech that is the cornerstone of our democracy. This administration paints anyone who questions it or disagrees with it as the enemy. The president frequently insults and even threatens anyone who disagrees with him and yet those expressing their opinions to defend freedoms and rights of all Americans are the ones dividing the country?
Thank you to everyone who shared their beliefs in the parade despite the downpour and to all who volunteered and helped organize the celebration of the freedoms we cherish and hope to see continue. And thank you to the Valley Reporter and the free press, which allows all citizens to be heard, regardless of their views.
I hope to see true “revolutionary resistance” at the polls this November. Use your civic rights to defend our democracy, not destroy it.
Nichols-Frazer lives in Waitsfield
