Monday, December 26, 2011
Letter to the Editor
In response to the 1968 federal indictment of eight political dissenters for conspiracy to promote disorder, a host of noted American liberals wrote a letter to the editors of the New York Review. In that letter, luminaries like Susan Sontag and Noam Chomsky observed that the law against dissent was the foundation of a police state in America.
Since that day in the aftermath of demonstrations at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, dissent has not gotten any easier. Peace activists are still infiltrated, harassed and incarcerated by the US Government; pro-democracy demonstrators are still pepper-sprayed and beaten by police.
As Congress and the White House recently approved the use of the US Army against anti-globalization protestors, we know the battle against fraud and militarism is far from over. Those on the front line of the war for democratic renewal could use a little help, even if it's only a letter to the editor.
Since that day in the aftermath of demonstrations at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, dissent has not gotten any easier. Peace activists are still infiltrated, harassed and incarcerated by the US Government; pro-democracy demonstrators are still pepper-sprayed and beaten by police.
As Congress and the White House recently approved the use of the US Army against anti-globalization protestors, we know the battle against fraud and militarism is far from over. Those on the front line of the war for democratic renewal could use a little help, even if it's only a letter to the editor.
