To the editor:

Written in Amendment 1 of the Bill of Rights “Congress shall make no law … abridging the right of the people peaceably to assemble”. This is interpreted to mean that people can peacefully protest. I have peacefully protested abortion. I stood along Main Street in Wintersville holding a sign against abortion. I did not obstruct the sidewalk or the road. Some passing cars acknowledged my presence–some in favor and some not in favor. I smiled and waved at everyone. If a law enforcement officer told me to leave, I would have taken my sign and drove home. I would not have spit on him, kicked the tail light out of his vehicle or drove into him. All of the above incidents happened to law enforcement officers in Minneapolis who were looking for criminal aliens.

Renee Goode was the mother of a minor child. I am a mother. When my child was a minor, my main responsibility was to care for her. Every decision that I made was decided with the best interest of my child in mind. I would never engage in an activity that might take me away from my child. That is what a good parent does. Chasing law enforcement officers in a vehicle, ignoring the commands of law enforcement officers and hitting a law enforcement officer with a vehicle are not the actions of a good parent.

Alex Pretti was a nurse. I am a retired nurse. All throughout my nursing career, it was stressed that what we did when we were not on duty could affect our careers. Trying to obstruct law enforcement officers who are doing their job while carrying a loaded gun and interfering with traffic are not acceptable actions. Spitting on a law enforcement officer and kicking the tail light out of the officers’ vehicle are not appropriate actions for a professional nurse. Pretti definitely had a quick temper that he could not control. I wouldn’t want him to care for anyone that I knew. The actions of Goode and Pretti were not lawful.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This means that people are able to practice their religion in their houses of worship. No one has the right to invade a church during services and disrupt a religious service. It is against the law. “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (10 Commandments). God chose one day for people to worship him. Worship services must not be interrupted by protesters. Not only is it unlawful under man’s laws to interrupt a worship service, it is a sin against God. This should never happen in our country.

It is apparent that what happened in Minneapolis was not peaceful observation or protest. It is rioting in an organized fashion. It has caused the death of two protesters and violence against law enforcement officers doing their jobs. It has disrupted worship of God. This is not acceptable behavior in our country.

Michalene A. King

Wintersville