For the past several weeks, the Athol Democratic Town Committee, together with town committee members and friends from nearby towns, have been doing peaceful standouts for our Democratic nominee for president around Athol and Orange. We hold signs and American flags, and we wave to those who show their support driving by.

Over time, however, the negative reactions have become more and more aggressive, with people screaming racist, sexist, and profane remarks at us. We have purposely avoided standing in the places where we knew MAGA demonstrations would take place. This past weekend, as we stood in downtown Orange, Trump supporters who were down the street from us moved into the space where we were standing, screaming nonsensical accusations at us, and calling in reinforcements, including someone in a Trump mask screaming at us through a megaphone.

This was upsetting to downtown residents, and it was upsetting to those of us who were there, including two police officers trying to keep the peace.

This bullying must stop! The First Amendment protects both their speech and ours; however, intimidation, profanity and drowning out of our voices will not win over any voters. Nor will hiding one’s identity under a mask while verbally assaulting us. Those of you who are doing this should ask yourselves if this is how community members should treat each other.

Margot Parrot

Co-chair, Athol Democratic Town Committee, Athol

For the past several weeks, the Athol Democratic Town Committee, together with town committee members and friends from nearby towns, have been doing peaceful standouts for our Democratic nominee for president around Athol and Orange. We hold signs and American flags, and we wave to those who show their support driving by.

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Over time, however, the negative reactions have become more and more aggressive, with people screaming racist, sexist, and profane remarks at us. We have purposely avoided standing in the places where we knew MAGA demonstrations would take place. This past weekend, as we stood in downtown Orange, Trump supporters who were down the street from us moved into the space where we were standing, screaming nonsensical accusations at us, and calling in reinforcements, including someone in a Trump mask screaming at us through a megaphone. This was upsetting to downtown residents, and it was upsetting to those of us who were there, including two police officers trying to keep the peace.

This bullying must stop! The First Amendment protects both their speech and ours; however, intimidation, profanity and drowning out of our voices will not win over any voters. Nor will hiding one’s identity under a mask while verbally assaulting us! Those of you who are doing this should ask yourselves if this is how community members should treat each other.

Margot Parrot, co-chair, Athol Democratic Town Committee

Athol