I don’t know how you feel about the first 100 days of the new administration, but I am very concerned. I see freedoms that I have always taken for granted being trampled on, and the constant challenging of rules set up by our brilliant “founding fathers” to keep some checks and balances in our government, and to protect “We, the people.”

I worry every day for my family (especially our grandchildren) and my community and the wider community of people who are being harassed, deported and denied any basic American rights to a fair process.

It can be exhausting, this barrage of bad news. And I’ve found, to my surprise, that engaging in protests and writing postcards and letting congresspeople know my thoughts is in fact energizing.

I have heard several stories about people from other countries sending messages to say, “we see your protests and your concerns — we are with you, and relieved that not everyone supports what is happening in the USA right now!”

I have felt surges of pride when holding signs at protests and hearing eloquent speakers talk about how we must be seen and heard, despite actions that keep us demoralized and exhausted.

I have laughed and joked and met people I don’t know who are also holding signs and waiting for cars to honk at street-side protests.

I have felt pride at contacting our congressional delegation to let them know how concerned I am, and satisfaction in letting them know that I support them fully.

So, I urge people to get involved, as an antidote to shock, exhaustion, depression, despair over the direction our country seems to be headed. Make phone calls. Sign petitions. And come out and protest — you’ll be glad you did.

The next major event is June 14th, Flag Day and “No Kings Day,” when many will gather the entire length of Route 7 (Massachusetts to Canada) to hold our American flags and our signs, and sing together, and wave at our fellow Americans. We are people who may disagree on many things, but who stand together to express that we love this country and refuse to watch its principles be ignored and abused!

For more information go to Nokings.org, choose attend in the top bar (or in the menu on a phone). In the impressive map of nationwide locations, zoom in on Vermont, and click on New Haven Junction. There you can sign up, and doing so will greatly help the organizers in placing people along Route 7.

Northeast Addison County Indivisible is the lead organizer of this segment of the relay.

Join us!

Anne Wallace

Bristol