OPINIONS/EDITORIALS
EDITORIAL
Sept. 18 ‘J6 Rally’ Expected to be a ‘Dud’
Here we go again. The “Justice for J6” protestors announced plans to rally at the U.S. Capitol on Saturday, Sept. 18, to show their support for the defendants arrested for the attempted insurrection and damage to the U.S. Capitol they caused on Jan. 6. More than 500 men and women have been charged and several are keeping company with inmates at D.C. jail. The charges they face include destruction of property, using pepper spray on police officers, unlawful entry, and disorderly and disruptive conduct, to name a few. The violence and mayhem following a rally promoted by former President Donald Trump resulted in several deaths. U.S. Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick was reportedly struck in the head with a fire extinguisher by protestors and later died. Ashli Babbit, an Air Force veteran, died after a U.S. Capitol police officer shot her as she and other protestors attempted to break down the doors of the U.S. Senate chamber. In the wake of the Jan. 6 protest, local authorities admitted they were ill-prepared for what became a forceful and violent attack on the U.S. Capitol. Many of the protestors brought weapons, demonstrating their intended plans to wreak havoc and cause harm to those who dared stand in their way. And, nothing stood in the way but the bravery of U.S. Capitol police and members of MPD. Once again, authorities report that Internet chatter tells them that the J6 protest will not be a repeat performance of Jan. 6. They are predicting it will be a “dud.” Just in case, however, the fencing surrounding the U.S. Capitol will be reinstalled, and more law enforcement is in place. There is a justifiable concern about the intentions and plans of the protestors. And, even if their protest is peaceful, their motives and messages must not be ignored. A fence may protect bricks and mortar, but their words continue to stoke the fire of dissension and divisiveness, ignited by their leader Donald Trump. The hats they wear promoting Make America Great Again cast a shadow on a country broken by their rhetoric and violent acts. WI
Women of Color and the Poor Stand to Lose the Most in Latest Abortion Rights Showdown
While the state of Texas represents ground zero in the recent battle for abortion rights in the U.S., when the smoke clears and the courts make their rulings, the biggest losers will inevitably be poor women and women of color. To be clear, it is not the intention of The Washington Informer to make a stand on either side of the wide delta which exists within our nation over a woman’s right to choose versus those who support the right to life for the unborn. Our concern remains with women and their having equal access to an abortion, should that be the decision they make. We understand that the decision to abort a child is not one which most women make lightly. But a woman’s economic status should not be the factor that allows some women to have the choice while other women have no choice at all. Since the law in Texas went into effect several weeks ago – one which for all practical purposes has resulted in the majority of patients seeking an abortion being ineligible for the procedure – experts have witnessed a significant rise of women traveling to states that include Oklahoma, New Mexico and even Illinois where eligibility requirements are not as stringent. But as all circumstances for women considering an abortion are not equal, women who cannot afford to take time off from work, who do not have the finances to travel to other states or who cannot afford to pay for childcare while they travel and have the procedure performed, have little choice but to carry their child to term. It’s a “choice” whose consequence, for some, will further exacerbate the economic hardships which they and their families already face. In addition, some abortion advocates fear that women denied the right to an abortion stand a far greater chance of being impacted by physical and mental health challenges. Before Roe v. Wade, rich women, mostly white, simply traveled to Europe where they were able to secure a physician, undergo the procedure, take time to recuperate and then return to the U.S. Meanwhile, poor women, often disproportionately including Black women and other women of color, were forced to have backroom abortions performed by those without proper medical training, often in unsanitary conditions leading to horrific outcomes. Choosing an abortion is already a difficult and painful decision for women. But it should be a choice that they and their family make. Economic stability, or lack thereof, should not be the factor that determines that right. WI
TO THE EDITOR
Unity of 9/11 Has Faded Support Black I can’t believe it's been 20 years since Businesses
9/11, a horrible, tragic day in our nation’s history. I can’t remember a time where I’ve ever been so scared to be an American, but I also can’t recall a time where I’ve seen the country so united. Following that day, Black, brown and white stood together. Now it didn't last, but it indeed happened.
Looking forward to trying the Angry Jerk restaurant in Silver Spring by Jason Miskiri and supporting Black business! The menu looks delicious, and I’m all for Caribbean food and flavors. Thanks for letting the community know about this place.
Thomasina Belks Washington, D.C.
Dylan Canter Silver Spring, Md.
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The Washington Informer welcomes letters to the editor about articles we publish or issues affecting the community. Write to: lsaxton@washingtoninformer. com or send to: 3117 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032. Please note that we are unable to publish letters that do not include a full name, address and phone number. We look forward to hearing from you. SEPTEMBER 16 - 22, 2021 29
