Editor, The Beacon:
In a brazen assault on the very bedrock of American liberty, the Libertarian Party of Volusia County vehemently denounces the arrest of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein at Washington University in St. Louis. Her arrest, carried out while she was engaging in a peaceful protest, is not only alarming but also antithetical to the cherished American principles of free speech and peaceful assembly.
The First Amendment guarantees these inalienable rights, standing as a sentinel for democracy. Yet, the actions taken against Jill Stein are a stark violation of these rights and signal a perilous slide toward authoritarianism.
This arrest is a clear and present danger to anyone who dares to challenge the government, which sets a harrowing precedent that threatens to silence dissent and curb democratic engagement across the nation.
As staunch advocates for individual liberty and minimal government interference, we, as Libertarians, assert that the freedom to express dissent is fundamental to a functioning democracy.
The arrest of Jill Stein is not merely an infringement on her rights, but an affront to all who value the principles of freedom and justice.
We demand an immediate cessation of these tyrannical practices and call for the unconditional respect of the right to protest and speak freely. Our democracy thrives on the diversity of voices and ideas, and it is imperative that we safeguard this diversity by standing firm against any attempts to undermine these fundamental American values.
The Libertarian Party of Volusia County calls on all defenders of liberty to join us in condemning this egregious violation of the First Amendment and to ensure that such an injustice is never repeated. We must not allow fear or governmental overreach to silence the voices of the people.
Matt Johnson
Chair, Libertarian Party of Volusia County
DeLand
