No need for the power of the presidency
I just read the CNN headline: โTRUMP SIGNS EXEC ORDER MAKING IT EASIER TO REMOVE HOMELESS PEOPLE FROM STREETS.โ
But what could be easier than what I witnessed six days ago, at the Kilton Public Library?
An unhoused person (there are two there regularly, keeping me company on Friday mornings as I wait for the library to open where theyโve been kind enough to allow me to use their space and their WiFi to do Zoom calls with various nonprofits) was peacefully charging his phone and was asked to leave by a police officer in full regalia โ bulletproof vest, cuffs, weapon โ it was alarming, to say the least.
The young man started to protest, politely asking for indulgence as he was only trying to charge a device. The officer said something threatening that started with, โIโve asked you once. If I have to ask you a second timeโฆโ
I made it clear to both of them (and to the 12 people on my Zoom call) that I no longer felt comfortable in this space that I thought was open to the public, and so I was leaving. It made me very sad. Just a half hour earlier, Iโd thrown my arms around a construction worker friend who was working to make the road beside the library better, gave him a hug and reminded him to wish his sister a happy birthday. We are a small community. I love libraries. Peaceful people sometimes need to charge their phones.
Apparently, West Lebanon is not in need of any executive order from President Stinky to effect change that does not support our most vulnerable.
Jennifer Keller
Norwich