Speak out on assaults

On June 12, Sen. Alex Padilla was detained and thrown to the ground simply for asking a question at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference about the continued military presence in L.A. Importantly, Sen. Padilla represents California and is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Safety. It didn’t matter that he clearly stated who he was and had every right to be there; he was assaulted nonetheless. And he is not the only government official who has been treated this way: Judge Hannah Dugan in Wisconsin, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Rep. Monica McIver have all had similar experiences in the past months.

Where is the condemnation and outrage? Imagine if these sorts of things were happening under the Biden administration — but because Trump is in the White House, we are supposed to think this is all good and normal? It’s not. We won’t forget or get used to this sort of treatment because if our government officials can be treated in this blatantly anti-democratic manner, what protections do we, the people, have?

I encourage anyone who is upset about this to not only call their representatives but to also attend their next local Democratic Party or Indivisible meeting; join your friends and neighbors who are ready to stand up for our rights.

Jillian Grauman.

Winfield