In the Book of the prophet Daniel there is a story: The King of Babylon, having made a gold statue of himself, set it up in a valley in the province he ruled. The King ordered that with the sound of musical instruments being played every person must bow down and worship the gold statue. Anyone who would not bow down would be thrown into the fiery furnace. There were citizens of Babylon who seized on this order as a chance to attack the Jews who had been exiled among them (Daniel 3:8).

Many of you reading this letter will recognize the names Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago. They were three friends of Daniel, all of them Jewish exiles and had found favor with the King. They were also the three who were reported to the King as refusing to bow down to the gold statue the King had set up. In response to the King’s questioning, they said, “We don’t need to answer your question. If our God — the one we serve — is able to rescue us from the furnace of flaming fire and from your power, then let him rescue us. But if he doesn’t, know this for certain, Your Majesty: We will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you’ve set up” (Daniel 3:16b-18).

In the midst of the current Administration’s unconstitutional and unlawful dismantling of our democracy will we “seize the chance” to attack the migrant workers, the immigrants, those of us who benefit from any government services, including Social Security, grants for road repair, school vouchers, farm or small business grants? Or will we risk and resist the onslaught with our speaking and our actions? The choice is ours. I choose to resist and act.

Patti Welch

Bristol