Letter to the Editor: Violence Has No Place in Our Democracy

By Linda Jimenez, Tracy

Former State of California Superior Court employee and CSU Retiree

Elizabeth Best’s statement regarding Democrats and Liberals (September 12) is misleading.

Democrats on Capitol Hill joined their Republican colleagues in condemning the senseless Charlie Kirk murder. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated in a September 10 post on X:

“Political violence is NEVER acceptable.” (USA Today)

President Obama also posted:

“This kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy.” (Newsweek)

As a Democrat, I share with my liberal colleagues the anguish and sorrow that both parties have faced with the unnecessary political murders of elected officials and organizers. Violence is never the answer to solve our nation’s problems that exist today: erosion of our civil liberties, racial profiling, wrongly incarcerating U.S. citizens in concentration camps, inhumane treatment and incarceration of individuals and families, disrespectful treatment of elected representatives (such as Senator Padilla), and the most egregious outrage — the flagrant disregard of our Constitution and laws.

I have lived through the assassinations of President Kennedy, Dr. King, Medgar Evers, and Malcolm X. It is unfortunate that we have not learned from the past that violence has no place in a civilized society.

We are living in a time of danger where common decency and respect for each other are no longer practiced.

As Democrats, we will continue to bring attention to actions that are contrary to our Constitution, Bill of Rights, and laws through truthful, verifiable facts and peaceful protests.

I have always followed the example of Cesar Chavez: avoid violence, organize, and participate in peaceful demonstrations. This is the method of bringing positive change that will benefit all citizens, not just a select few. These are the Democratic values I was raised with and believe in.