It’s time for Congress to defend our democracy

By NANCY POLAN

The president will deliver his address to Congress on March 4 at 9 p.m. Simultaneously, citizens across the country are planning rallies to reject the president’s message to Congress in opposition to our developing constitutional crisis.

The Massachusetts League of Women Voters (LWV) plans to hold a Light for Our Democracy rally on the State House steps on March 4 from 8 to 9:30 pm. The Boston rally will be livestreamed on the MA LWV Facebook page, facebook.com/lwvmass/.

The Amherst LWV is holding a community candlelight vigil from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on March 4 at the Amherst Town Hall with state Rep. Mindy Domb. Bring noisemakers and posters. If it rains hard or snows, it will be canceled. If it’s drizzly and sprinkling, it’s a go!

The American Federation of Teachers, one of the sponsoring organizations, is asking teachers in Springfield, Pittsfield, and Lawrence to Wear Red for Ed on March 4. They oppose the Trump administration’s plan to gut the U.S. Department of Education and slash federal funding that would devastate millions of students, especially those in underserved communities.

For those who can’t make the rallies in person, they can amplify the event on social media using the hashtag #Light4Democracy. Tag @LWV and @ LWVMA.

Everyone is encouraged to call or email Sens. Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren and your congressional representative, who you can find at malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator. Thank them for standing up for our democracy. Our support empowers them. Share this action with friends in other states.

“The dismantling of our sacred democracy on full display for the world is one of the most horrific events in modern-day politics,” wrote national LWV CEO Celina Stewart.

“When the executive branch egregiously signals it will defy court orders and neglect the welfare of citizens, that is when Congress must be reminded of their duty to defend the Constitution. The League demands Congress act to prevent threats to the very fabric of our Republic.”

Stewart also called out Congress, whose “inaction signals its approval of the violation of laws and the Constitution, as well as the administration’s seizure of congressional power. Congress’ power to act is clear. Article I of the Constitution grants Congress all legislative powers and the authority to approve spending in the federal budget. Every day, congressional inaction jeopardizes our system of checks and balances, our liberties as Americans, and our democracy in its entirety.”

We extend our deep gratitude to the Gazette for its extensive coverage of national news and how changes in Washington impact life in the Pioneer Valley. A free and independent press is a pillar of democracy.

Nancy Polan is legislative director of the Northampton Area League of Women Voters. Light for Our Democracy sponsor organizations: League of Women Voters, Black Voters Matter, the Workers Circle, the American Association of People with Disabilities, National Organization for Women, American Federation of Teachers, Southern Poverty Law Center, Common Cause, and National Council of Jewish Women, APIA Vote, Center for Common Ground, Declaration for American Democracy, Public Citizen, Defend the Vote, Fix Democracy First, Fourth Branch Action, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and Choose Democracy.