To The Editor:

I am horrified by the idea of the new ordinance regarding rallies in Newtown. What happened to freedom of speech? What happened to the first amendment?

I have attended every rally this year, and they have all been peaceful and respectful of the town and the townspeople. It is our right to demonstrate; in fact, it is our responsibility when we disagree with what our government is doing. As far as I know, there have been no arrests, no destruction of property, and no one has been hurt in any of the rallies that have taken place in town.

This seems to me to be the first step towards a government that seeks to keep the people from speaking their minds and disagreeing when they see something wrong.

My wife and I taught our children to speak out against injustice of any kind and to believe that that was what this country stood for. I am unfortunately beginning to believe that that is no longer the case.

Please do not allow this ordinance to pass. It does not represent who we are as a town or as a nation.

Richard Hungaski

Newtown