The Battle of Lexington was the most important political protest in the history of our country. It is because of this historic event that we have the right to hold peaceful political protests (opinion of the current occupant of the White House notwithstanding).
Last Monday night, I attended the Select Board meeting because one of the items for discussion was the possible extension of the boundary of the Battle Green to include the space in front of the Minuteman Statue. This space is a popular spot for peaceful political protests.
Holding political protests in front of the Minuteman Statue sends a unique and symbolic message—one that would be lost if residents are restricted to protesting along Mass. Ave. or on the sidewalks around the Battle Green.
If you agree that it’s important to preserve this space as a location for peaceful protests, make your opinion known by sending a letter or email to the Select Board.
The minuteman statue is hallowed ground, it celebrates the courage of Lexington residents who stood against a truly tyrannical government, and risked their lives for our freedom. For one, the residents of New England were not allowed representation in mainland England’s government, (read the Declaration of Independence for a full list of further “usurpations”)
The irresponsible hijacking of the “King/Tyranny” language by people who disagree with a duly elected president, is not only patently irrational, but also squarely desecrates the History of Lexington and the minuteman’s sacrifice, (I suggest you read the oldest war memorial in the U.S., which is easily accessible since it resides on our battle green, and has some truly profound language). But since our forefathers fought for your freedom, won, and “Righteous Heaven approved their solemn appeal” as a result it is indeed your right to protest the “issue of the day”.
But remember: someday you may not agree with some other group and you may be duly offended when it is they that are protesting in front of our hallowed minuteman, I say, with all due respect to Captain Parker. let him have his dignity, put your protests behind him, let his accomplishments remain front and center.
Being duly or nominally elected president is not mutually exclusive with tyrannical behavior or subsequently establishing an authoritarian regime. History buffs please correct me but such a transition has happened before. “No tyranny” is not out of line, and neither is “no king” (please see the president’s self reference to king in a February tweet).
Patriotic dissent is never desecration; it’s central to our shared way of life.
Even if the “duly elected president” is not a tyrant, in the United States we have always had the right to voice our disagreement with political views we do not agree with. That’s part of living in a democracy, that’s why the United States is a democracy. Dissent from the opinions of the ruling elite is only forbidden in fascist dictatorships.
You may have seen the signs from Lexington Alarm! with the quote from Thomas Pain, “the law is king” on one side and “no king, no tyranny” on the other side. We haven’t hijacked “king/tyranny” language, we are using it in the same context in which Thomas Pain used it 250 years ago.
If we are going to ask the Select Board to keep that space outside of the Battle Green and preserve our right to peacefully protest there, we have to accept the fact that someday we may drive by and see people who are supporting issues we don’t agree with, especially because of what we are currently protesting. All Lexington residents have First Amendment rights, not just the ones that I happen to agree with.