I oppose fascism—always

Dear Editor,

Regarding the Publisher's Memo ("I'll take off my mask if you take off yours," Oct. 23, Page 20), I agree with the needed transparency of unmasking ICE.

Having armed masked government agents harkens to the KKK and dictatorships who seize those who disagree and then they disappear. And while you call for unmasking ICE, you should go further; allow all who are detained to have due process. The Constitution enshrines due process for all people, not only citizens. It is hypocritical to support the Second Amendment and forgetting about others. And while you complain about doxxing ICE agents, let's make it clear: There should be no shooting or physical harm aimed at ICE agents ever.

But there are many videos of ICE having violent confrontations with people, seizing first and maybe answering questions later. Conceptually, ICE operations are flawed. If you are arresting alleged illegal immigrants at work places and schools, you are not targeting immigrants who are criminals.

And as you call out conservatives for not having the backbone to challenge our seemingly shrinking rights, it is Republicans in Congress who are at fault. Framing the Jan. 6, 2021 criminals as patriots and No Kings protestors as those who hate America not only is a false narrative, but it dangerously raises the political temperature needlessly. It is an abomination that all convicted for attacking the Capitol were pardoned [or some who had sentences commuted]. When I attended the Brewster No Kings rally, there was no hate; rather, there were 4,000 people looking to make our country better for all. And as you freely use the trope, Antifa, remember what it stands for, anti-fascist. If your relative fought in WW II, he was Antifa. ICE actions, firing people for exercising free speech, victimizing people of color, immigrants and LGBTQ, requiring media outlets and colleges to pay tributes to the government, that is fascism to it's core; simply study pre-WW II Germany to see the game plan playing out in this country. The No Kings protesters fight for the freedoms in this country for all: the poor, the disenfranchised, people in poverty, people of color, women, LGBTQ, immigrants, Democrats and yes, even Republicans. We are the ultimate anti fascists. If my support for the rights of all paints me as Antifa, then I wear the badge proudly. And by the way, George Soros did not pay me to attend No Kings and to support Antifa; I do it for free out of love.

-Richard R. Levine, Katonah