These are dark times when the very foundation of our democracy is under attack through hateful words and actions coming from the Oval Office.

I am enraged and horrified by the executive order to bar immigrants and refugees entrance based on their religion or nationality. So many innocent people’s lives have been disrupted and even endangered on the false pretext of national security. As hate speech toward Muslims and refugees and immigrants who have made this country their home has emboldened those with hate in their hearts, I know this is not the time to be silent. 

I find hope for our country’s future in the enormous outpouring of compassion for those who are suffering, and of nonviolent resistance across the nation and around the world. Therefore, I have decided to join others in an attempt to protect immigrants and to say “Not In Our Town.”

We are circulating a petition in support of a Bristol town ordinance to limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in their efforts to detain and deport undocumented families and youth for non-criminal activities. If you are a Bristol resident and agree about this important human rights matter, I hope you will consider adding your name to our petition at https://bristolri.typeform.com/to/itJvKy.

Nancy Hood
274 Wood St.