James Adams is correct in his recent letter when he describes the make-up of Greenfield as including “a broad range of folks with diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.” And that Greenfield has a “town common.” Now, isn’t a town common a common place for common people to gather for whatever activity they wish to pursue?
Various political groups rally to voice their views. Fundraisers gather to raise funds for a worthy cause. Veterans and their supporters assemble to pay respects and give thanks. Tax resisters stand holding signs trying to justify their unwillingness to support our federal government.
Yes, we are a widely diverse citizenry with a multitude of beliefs, loyalties, and actionable opinions. As long as those actions remain lawful, we are free to pursue whatever it is that suits our need for expression. And, among it’s many uses, the town common is a public domain set aside long ago, and continuously maintained, for such expression.
Seeing as the town government does not own the creche nor pay for its placement on the common, there are no laws broken. Instead, all we have is a common group of our fellow citizens expressing their views from a common place.
Tom Williams
Shelburne