To the editor:

There’s a reason why Blake Gendebien (Democrat candidate for the 21st Congressional district) didn’t mention Trump at the Ogdensburg

Canada/U.S. Friendship rally. That’s because the protests/rallies are about more important things than the Trump Show.

We know Trump gets a lot of attention by saying brash and irrational things. And what other U.S. President held rallies even after they were elected? (He claims he did 900 rallies.) But how does entertaining voters by boasting (or selling Trump paraphernalia and cryptocurrency for his personal profit) help you or me or our country?

His daily antics only serve to divert attention away from serious illegalities and harmful consequences to our country. Blake Gendebien and the protesters aren’t falling for his random distractions.

Protestors understand that our judicial system is dangerously compromised: 1) By capitalist billionaires who have “gifted” and befriended Supreme Court justices Alito and Thomas — influencing them to uphold extremist right-wing agendas, while pretending it’s about morality; 2) By the GOP who has deceptively packed the courts with federal judges — who will “interpret” the Constitution according to how it benefits their white male supremacist ideology; 3) By a Supreme Court who will deep-dive into 18th century antiquated precedent in order to undo decades of progress that’s improved upon civil rights and equality for women. Protestors understand that federal employees have been fired without cause, essential departments are now understaffed and programs that help children, seniors and veterans have been compromised. All in the name of trimming “wasteful” spending so that the “savings” can go into the pockets of right-wing/libertarian billionaires. (Even Elon Musk eventually figured out the GOP’s true self-serving motives.) Protestors understand that tariffs historically never have and never will prove beneficial to consumers, small businesses, farmers or the trades. Nor will they bring manufacturing back to America. But they do generate animosity and a loss of respect from countries that were once our allies.

Protestors understand that our immigration system needs constructive restructuring and that vigilante ICE agents sweeping up innocent people and jailing them without due process is an irresponsible, cruel method that in no way addresses the problems. The GOP got support by purposely exaggerating facts to generate fear and misunderstandings about immigration.

Protestors understand that this country is in danger of losing free speech and free press as informational sources like NPR, PBS, Voice of America and investigative journalists are being threatened for revealing factual content.

Of course, Trump (the egomaniac) and his supporters (quick to call anyone a “Trump hater” if they don’t believe everything Trump says the way they do) think the rallies are anti-Trump demonstrations. But in reality, the concern of those taking to the streets is about the serious damage being done to America as a result of the GOP’s abandonment of integrity, justice, rule-of-law, working Americans, our allies and our constitutional freedoms.

Martha Hodges

Massena