Northeast News
March 23, 2016

Dear Editor,

The right-of-center news hound has once again struck with the ill-informed message “Keeping it classy Kansas City” that is insulting to members of the community that he supposedly represents. I was a protester at the Trump rally that Saturday evening, and I feel compelled to share my experiences.

You referred to the protesters as “violent socialists” and a “rent-a-mob riot.” You admittedly weren’t present at the event, and I’m not sure what pictures or videos you would have seen that led you to such inflammatory labeling. The event was anything but a riot. People gathered together holding signs, chanting, encouraging one another to be sure to get out and vote against the candidate that is spreading racism and hatred throughout our country. The 2nd time the crowd was sprayed with pepper spray, there were perhaps 5 people in the street. Your version reported the crowd, “broached the barricades and started the melee.” There were no barricades to broach and certainly there was no melee. The police responded to people entering the street by spraying 6 military grade pepper spray canisters into the crowd. Some of the pepper spray hit those in the street, most hit protesters that were peacefully demonstrating on the sidewalk.

Donald Trump’s rhetoric has brought the ugliness of white supremacy to light and serves to further divide our country. The opinions of the news hound are doing the same for the Northeast.

Hilary Tramel,

Northeast resident