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On March 13, Red Fire Farms joined a federal lawsuit with seven other farms, contesting the federal government’s freeze of grants and reimbursements affecting farms. Seven days later, on March 20, ICE arrested four Red Fire Farm workers at their homes in Springfield. ICE surrounded one home with 20 law enforcement vehicles. Two of the workers were arrested in front of their children after ICE agents reportedly broke through their front doors. Other family members present at the raid were threatened. The ICE personnel had no arrest warrants, although, by law, warrants are required for such forced entry.

By MICHAEL FLECK

For the past few months several pundits and former government officials, both Democrat and Republican, have said, referring to the Trump administration, “These are not serious people.” They said this about RFK, Jr. (as he emphasized the value of treating measles with cod liver oil and vitamin A); about Pete Hegseth (during his nomination process and as Signalgate unfolded); and about Donald Trump himself (as he mused about a third term saying that tariffs are taxes on other countries, mentioned the possibility of invading Greenland, and imposed tariffs on an island of penguins).

By BROOKLYN TRUEHEART DEMME

I grew up on the safe side of town with educational access and expectations of gainful, dignified employment. Selling harmful addictive substances was not a consideration I needed to make to provide for my family. Moreover, the mobility and security afforded by my skin color and privileged class background have allowed for me to safely visit and learn in some dangerous places which residents can not easily leave.

A recent column in this paper suggests that “fear” is being used to argue about the benefits of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) [”ADUs and politics of fear,” April 9]. I think “facts” can be scary to some people, but here’s the truth:

International Children’s Book Day was celebrated on April 2. “Research shows that children whose parents read to them every day are exposed to at least 290,000 more words by the time they enter kindergarten than kids who aren’t read to regularly.” This fact was found at https://www.earthday.org/libraries-where-books-go-to-party/ as part of that celebration. Former President Ronald Reagan said, “The library is the delivery room for the birth of ideas, a place where history comes to life.” Lifelong learning, for free, is available at our public libraries. I remember the words of our dear friend and library supporter, Margo Culley, who called our greatly appreciated local library, the Wendell Free Library, “Wendell U,” for “Wendell University,” as it is the learning place for residents of all ages.

By DANIEL CANTOR YALOWITZ

This period of time can be seen as suffocating and paralyzing for many. We’re in trouble, our country is hurting big time, and many are suffering. At times like this, people have a stark choice to make — how and do we move forward?

By MICHAEL ALBANO

I’d like to offer some points of clarification regarding the recent Recorder article, “Commission calls for public hearing on dam” (April 8). First, although I am a retired fish biologist/scientist emeritus with the USGS, I am currently a volunteer consultant for the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) for their dam removal projects, not a CRC staff member.

Greenfield built this beautiful new senior center which is so underused and uninviting. There’s no sense of community there. Virtually no activities. Senior art shows? Quilting circles? BINGO? Senior dances? Anything? What exactly is the director’s job if not create activities and promote the center as a place our seniors want to go to. I encourage the director to explore new ways to serve the elders in our community. Please.

I thought that I might offer Donald Trump some wisdom; he seems to be in dire need of help. Here is, “the first rule of holes,” wisdom which I have found very helpful, and he seems to need this rule. Here it is, “When you find yourself up to your neck in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.”

I am very disappointed in the coverage I saw in the Recorder of the Hands Off! demonstrations on April 5.  Not only did it not get the lead, it was hidden further back in section B and it only covered local events.  There were over five million people demonstrating across the country and millions more around the world.  There were three buses that went to Boston and 11 more from western Massachusetts.  Isn’t any of this newsworthy?  What Donald Trump and Elon Musk and the other billionaires are doing to this country is treason and not having the free press documenting this and our efforts to stop it only distorts the truth.  Please do better on future demonstrations which will be many.

Being an old lady with multiple health issues has been an obstacle to participating in previous protests to the vengeful policies of this oppressive regime. But, I was getting really upset with myself for not doing so. Watching the TV, the devastating acts of this wannabe dictator on all Americans, including those who support him, and not doing anything became intolerable. So, I looked for local April 5 events online and found one somewhat close by in South Hadley. I grabbed my cane and went.

By ALLEN WOODS

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter gave a heartfelt, but politically disastrous speech. He described an American “crisis in confidence.” People faced a stubborn Mideast hostage crisis, long lines at gas stations for scarce, expensive gas, the highest inflation rate of any presidential term in history (almost 10%!), and unemployment rates of nearly 8% (inherited from the previous Ford administration).

By DOUG SELWYN

I read a children’s book that featured a man whose bed was too short. No matter how he squirmed or twisted, some part of him was off the bed. I thought of this when observing the tensions and struggles of our mayor, City Council, School Committee and school administration to fully fund our schools and the many departments in the city. No matter how we twist and turn, there is not enough money in Greenfield and we can’t fix that by ourselves. Our local money supply is too short.

It doesn’t take much of a push to get unhinged segments of the population to commit physical or psychological acts of violence. Create an enemy and foot soldiers will follow. We see these well-organized behaviors playing out in blue cities across America once again. Vandalism, arson, and property damage are widespread. The organizers are calling it, the “Tesla Takedown” movement. Owners of these sporty electric cars are under attack. Drivers are being harassed, intimidated and at least one woman assaulted. Tough guy Tim Walz actually cheered the Tesla stock tumble, that negatively affected Minnesota’s state employees’ pensions.

Hats off to the members of the Northfield Volunteer Fire Department. The display of honor, respect and friendship shown for the sad and unfortunate loss of former members David Quinn Sr. and David Quinn Jr. is commendable. If you have never witnessed the firefighter’s funeral ceremony of the “Last Alarm/Call,” “The Tolling of the Bell” or seen Old Glory flying from an extended ladder truck it is very emotional and heartbreaking. The men and women of small town volunteer fire departments support a long and honored tradition of protection of life and property with service and dedication to their communities.

Kudos to every person who attended a Hands Off! protest on Saturday, April 5, and thank you to the organizers whose hard work resulted in a turnout that often doubled expectations in every major city in the nation. I was one of approximately 350 citizens standing in the cold rain in Conway center where I was inspired to see so many people displaying signs protesting the various methods Donald Trump and Elon Musk are using to dismantle our democracy.

A recent letter claims that libraries are “a vital cornerstone of democracy” (April 1). The letter writer is entitled to her opinion, but that’s an absurd thing to say when many let drag queens in the front door. They shouldn’t be let in at all!

By EDITH and ALAN LIPP

The political race season is upon us again in Deerfield, which got us to thinking about an actual road race in a December 2012 international competition. The lead runner, Kenyan Abel Mutai, stopped just shy of the finish line. He had become confused by the unfamiliar signals.

By PAUL JABLON

The working folks who voted for Trump are beginning to figure out that he is hurting each and every one of them with his policies. If they, and the rest of us, are ever going to stop these actions and have viable alternative candidates in the future, we need to carefully look at how the Democratic Party let down all of us working folks in the first place. Though somewhat simplistic, I’d describe the vast majority of Democratic candidates as basically “Republican Lites.”