I am writing to express my profound outrage at the ongoing erosion of democratic principles, and the rule of law, under the Trump administration.

The recent refusal to comply with a court order to return Venezuelan immigrants — who were kidnapped, not deported (deportation means they are returned to their country of origin) by the U.S. government and flown to El Salvador — is a blatant violation of human rights, and a chilling reminder of the administration’s disregard for legal and moral obligations.

This act not only undermines the judiciary, but also highlights the administration’s systemic racism, targeting vulnerable communities with impunity.

This racism is further demonstrated by the removal of the Navajo Code Talkers from the Department of Defense website. These brave individuals played a pivotal role in securing victory during World War II, and erasing their contributions is an affront to their legacy and to the Native American community as a whole.

As citizens, we cannot remain silent in the face of such injustices. It is imperative that we hold our leaders accountable, and demand the restoration of the rule of law, respect for human rights and recognition of the invaluable contributions of all communities to our nation’s history.

Our country is undergoing a fast-moving coup, a takeover by oligarchs who seek to destroy the federal government and privatize its (our) assets for their own benefit. We must do more to stop them.

JULIA HESSE
Astoria