To the editor:
Americans have protested government overreach since the Boston Tea Party in 1773. James Madison wrote the Bill of Rights to prevent our colonial government from having too much power. Amendment I provides freedom of religion, speech, the press, and the freedom to peacefully assemble and petition the government with grievances. Amendment II grants the right to keep and bear arms. Amendment IV ensures citizens the right to be secure “in their persons, houses, papers, and effects,” and the freedom from being searched without probable cause and a judicial warrant. Madison forewarned against future administrations becoming too powerful. He wrote the Amendments to protect citizens from the kind of harm now being inflicted by federal agents.
Citizens have been dragged from their homes and vehicles, beaten, arrested without cause or due process, and murdered. Renee Good was shot in the face while slowly driving away from ICE officials. Alex Pretti went to the aid of a woman thrown to the ground by a federal agent. Other agents tackled and beat him, taking away Pretti’s lawfully carried gun. While lying defenseless on the ground, officers shot him ten times. Both incidents were recorded in numerous videos. Watch them and believe what you see, not what you’re being told.
