To The Editor:

As someone who swore an oath to defend the Constitution, I’m having trouble recognizing our country right now. In Minneapolis, masked ICE agents have employed ruthless violence, resulting in the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. When the federal government responds to dissent with deadly force, we are no longer talking about law enforcement. We are witnessing the erosion of constitutional freedom.

I have spent my life defending the ideals that make our nation strong. Standing up for the innocent and protecting civil liberties are fundamental to who we are. What has unfolded in Minnesota is the opposite of those principles.

But Newtown has shown up to prove that we will not be silent. Hundreds of residents came together this past month for marches led by Rock This Democracy and the Newtown Action Alliance. We gathered to honor the memories of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by exercising our First Amendment rights.

These were not partisan rallies. They were gatherings of citizens from all walks of life who believe that supporting the Constitution means speaking out when innocent people are harmed or killed by our own government.

The actions of these ICE agents should outrage every American. This was not policing. This was the reckless use of force against civilians, carried out with an utter lack of accountability.

We are witnessing a profound moral failure by our nation’s highest leaders. Is this really what anyone voted for? Is this who we want to be? Defending life, liberty, and the Constitution should be neither controversial nor partisan. It should be the bare minimum of what it means to be American.

I uphold my oath to support and defend the Constitution to this day. I urge all patriotic Americans to join me in that mission.

Brandon Moore

Newtown