To the Editor:
On Oct. 18, I joined millions of people across the country who stood, marched and held signs to show our love for democracy. My sign simply read “NO KINGS.” Others made me laugh — like “Aging Hippies Against Trump” — but one sign has stayed in my mind: “Make Orwell Fiction Again.”
It reminded me of George Orwell’s novel “1984,” warning about what happens when leaders twist the truth, silence voices and put power over people. In the book, words lose their meaning and are turned into tools of control: “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.”
Another quote from “1984” says, “If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stomping on a human face — forever.”
Sadly, this seems to be happening today. We see rising hate, rights being trampled and people treated as less than human — especially immigrants and transgender people. Norms that have been taken for granted since the nation’s founding are being ignored and subverted.
This is why we cannot stay silent.
Many church-goers heard a scripture reading on Sunday about a woman who kept asking a judge for justice. He finally listened — not because he cared, but because she refused to give up.
That is why we stand — to be seen, to be heard and to protect what is fair and humane.
We don’t stand out of hate — we stand out of love for this country and for each other. At No Kings Day, there was kindness, music, humor and hope. Many signs reminded us this country came into existence in rebellion against an unjust king!
Finally, Orwell wrote, “We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness.”
When we stand together, we are the light.
Come stand with others who share your concern every other Friday, beginning this Friday, Oct. 24. We will hold up our signs at the King City “Welcome” sign on Broadway from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wear your Halloween costume and smile together. “No Hate, No Kings!”
See you there!
Susan Raycraft
Lockwood
