Protect free speech

The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech and the press, the right of assembly and petition. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free expression thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Our first amendment rights are being violated when those in power conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism, or when a green card holder like Mahmoud Khalil is threatened with deportation because he spoke out against the Israeli government pursuing a genocidal ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. This is not antisemitism.

How is this any different from protesting against the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war crimes it has been committing? When did our government decide that voicing an opinion about a foreign government’s actions constitutes a crime? How can we allow our government to justify violating our right to free speech as citizens or green card holders (who are also afforded the full protection of the Constitution)?

Our government is an elected body, sworn to protect the Constitution. If we allow the reckless abuse of governmental power against any of us, we are surely in a constitutional crisis. Freedom of speech, so fundamental to our democracy, must be protected.

Richard Morse

Plainfield

See ‘October 8’

Liz Blum may have seen “No Other Land” before writing her recent op-ed (“Films offer split views of Israel and Palestine”; March 28), but I wonder if she watched “October 8.” I found it to be thoughtful, clear, honest and terrifying.

Anti-Zionism is antisemitism. According to the Anti-Defamation League, “anti-Zionism rejects Israel as a legitimate member of the community of nations and denies the right for Jews to self-determination and to establish a state in the land of Israel.” While antisemitism used to come from the far right, since Oct. 7, 2023, we have witnessed the rise of far left and, dare I say, not-so-far-left antisemitism. The protests that erupted immediately after the Hamas attack on Israel were filled with Jew hatred. While Jews were still burying the dead and counting how many were missing and taken hostage, we saw thousands of people here in the US shouting slogans such as “Globalize the intifada,” and “Resistance by any means necessary.” These are calls for violence against Jews. Everywhere. “From the river to the sea” does not demand equal rights for Palestinians, it calls for the eradication of Israel.

Jews, Israelis and most Palestinians want peace. Terrorists don’t. “October 8” explains how Jihadist terrorists, funded by Iran, have been able to push their narratives onto US soil with targeted propaganda through organizations like Jewish Voice for Peace and Students for Justice in Palestine. Jihadist terrorists will not stop with Jews. They clearly chant “Death to Israel, death to America.” Everyone must pay attention. Educate yourself. Do not skip “October 8.”

Heidi Fishman

Norwich

A silenced protest

Three cheers for Liz Blum and Jewish Voice for Peace on her courageous endorsement of the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land,” made by a team of Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers. Blum will undoubtedly take flack from some who consider any criticism of Israel a mask for antisemitism. That no major film distributor or streaming service has yet agreed to release this film attests to how effectively pro-Palestinian voices have been silenced in the “home of the brave and land of the free.” As we watch major universities (looking at you, Dartmouth), white shoe law firms and tech giants bend the knee and side with censorious politicians, every citizen’s voice that speaks truth to power needs our backing and amplification.

John Waite

Ascutney

Whose government?

In the words of Abraham Lincoln, The U.S. was founded on the premise that the government is “of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Our country has been hijacked by a group of billionaires who are showing us that they know nothing of governing. They care nothing for the people, and are turning our government into a chaotic mess.

The voters were lied to and deceived. Notice there is no longer talk of lowering the price of groceries or improving the welfare of U.S. citizens. Instead, there are cuts to the very programs that help people live decent or even subsistent lives. They are making enemies of our staunchest allies. We must be the laughing stock of the world.

Don’t forget, the government’s money comes from our tax dollars, and Social Security is something we have paid for, all our working lives. It is our money that the incompetent billionaires are playing with! Right now it looks like life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are only for the very, very wealthy and those in power. There will be liberty and justice for all only if we, the people, stand up and demand it.

Nicky Corrao

Thetford Center