To the editor:

I know that this will make some people angry, but please just consider what I say. 

Bristol is home to the oldest Fourth of July parade in the nation, and that is absolutely something to be proud of, but what are we celebrating this year? Families being torn apart? People being abducted and disappeared by individuals who may or may not be ICE (they have no badges, wear masks and refuse to identify themselves, so how do we know)? US senators being arrested for asking a question? Mayoral candidates being arrested for asking if "ICE" has a judicial warrant, which they are legally required to have? People being refused their constitutional right to due process, which applies to anyone on US soil? Or how about underage children being zip-tied and forced to represent themselves in immigration court without legal representation?

Maybe we're celebrating trans individuals, who make up less than 1% of the population, being vilified simply for existing. Individuals who may be your friend, neighbor, brother, sister, or cousin; but you don't know because they're afraid of being killed.

Or are we celebrating the administration taking away our veterans' rights? They're trying to pass a law that would allow VA Healthcare workers to refuse care to veterans that are Democrats and/or unmarried. Certainly doesn't seem like this administration cares about our veterans.

Bristol is a town of immigrants. If you attend the parade this year, then you are saying that you support your family members, friends and neighbors being rounded up like it's 1930s Germany and vanishing without a trace.

Bristol is also a town of veterans who put their lives on the line for us and for our country. Is this how we thank them?

I don't know if there are trans people in Bristol, but if there are, I fully believe that they are NOT harming anyone. They are just trying to live their lives.

The parade is meant to celebrate independence and freedom. Independence and freedom for whom? Because the pledge of allegiance that we had to recite every day in school ends with, "For liberty and justice FOR ALL." That is what our veterans fought for.

If you believe in America, if you believe in Democracy, if you believe your family and friends deserve to be here; if you believe trans people deserve to live peacefully, and if you support our veterans, then boycott the parade. Or go out and protest it. Celebrating the 4th this year would be a slap in the face, not only to those veterans who were lucky to return home, but especially to those who died protecting the rights and freedoms that the 4th is supposed to be celebrating.

David Bailey
Bristol