Dear Editor:

In response to Pamelo Mancuso’s accusations (Bad Idea, 4/28/25) and Elizabeth Derecktor and Peter Brown’s response (Rally wasn’t Violent, 5/1/25), I’d like to comment on Ms. Mancuso’s point of view. 

Ms. Mancuso stated that the Boothbay Common April 19 rally was violent and “harmful and dangerous to our way of life here.”

The rally was not in any way violent. Indivisible is a peaceful group. Any “violence, anger, and hatred” that Ms. Mancuso may have felt is not the responsibility of Indivisible. Our members were exercising our 1st Amendment rights to free speech with dignity and peace. \

I’m not sure what was meant by “our way of life here” other than suggesting that First Amendment rights are not welcome here?

As Ms. Derecktor and Mr. Brown noted, an example of a gathering with violence toward a political opponent can be found by reading about 1/6/21 at the Washington Capitol. 

Nancy Parsons-Kanter, Ph.D. 

West Boothbay