April 26, 2007
Letters to the Editor
Readers Editor
The Inquirer
Box 41705
Philadelphia, Pa. 19101
Editor,
I respect the right of pro-gun factions in Pennsylvania to hold rallies such as the one on April 24 in the Capitol Rotunda. But some of the pro-gun people went way too far and I am disturbed that the crowd, including a number of state legislators, did not instantly repudiate the message, which proclaimed that Rep. Angel Cruz, D-Phila., should be "hung from the tree of liberty for treasonous acts against the Constitution.”
Rep. Cruz has introduced legislation that would require the annual registration of firearms within Philadelphia, though originally it was proposed as being statewide.
There are still people alive today who witnessed the lynching of black men. Were the creators of the banner ignorant of the fact that the idea of lynching a minority carries a racist connotation, or were they callous enough that they didn’t care?
Just as upsetting, was the lack of instant rejection of the banner by the pro-gun rally participants, including the legislators that were present.
I appreciate that at some point, even the rally organizer asked that the banner be closed. However, that was only after the realization hit that the banner would draw a negative reaction from many other citizens.
The lack of response from the rally participants is indicative of a double standard.
If students or Arab-Americans or others opposed to the intent of the rally had held up a banner advocating hanging people, they would probably be under investigation for making a terroristic threat, or because Rep. Cruz is a minority, the banner could even be classified as a hate crime.
Publicly advocating hanging one’s opposition is something you may see in Iran, but it is not something that should be seen or allowed within the halls of government in America.
Sincerely,
John Myers
State Representative
201st Legislative District
5847 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 560-1824