Editor,
The past two weeks in national and international politics has been a sobering, frightening and insane time.
The president made illegal declarations affecting millions of people. The people responded en masse with extreme courage and with the law on our side.
U.S. District Court Judge James L. Robart stayed the unconstitutional ban on travel from seven predominately Muslim countries. Multitudes showed up to make their voices heard at airports and government offices throughout the country.
On Saturday, Homeland Security, after thousands of hours of work by hundreds of people, used the law to suspend the outrageous order by the president. Travel is back to “normal” until the White House finds another scheme to get their way — legal or not, and the citizens are showing up.
In Coupeville, there is a group of citizens, the Citizens Of Ebey’s Reserve, who work tirelessly and courageously to expose the facts of the over-reaching expansion of the Navy in the heart of our community. The resistance from deniers of these issues has not deterred the courage of our citizen activists.
COER and the thousands of citizens groups across the country are showing up to make our voices heard. This must continue.
New groups with various concerns and agendas — Coupeville Community Allies, Water Keepers, Sustainable Economic Coalition, Islanders for an Accountable Military, among others have formed to question, discuss, research, inform and involve our community in facing the appropriation of our rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
We are fighting for clean water, sound levels that provide the best learning conditions for our children and allow farmers to work their land.
The citizens of Central Whidbey have been having important — and sometimes heated conversations —- amongst us. We do not all agree. But, we are showing up. The work of courageous citizens is imperative to keep democracy active.
We are showing up to have our voices heard to protect our rights and freedoms here at home, across the country and around the globe.
Robbie Lobell
Coupeville
