400 Local US Citizens Toast America, but Insist, "No ICE !"

Editorial

War and Peace

War & Peace, The Best of Times, The Worst of Times

Your Choice

This week Millions marched for Peace across the United States. Hundreds sought violence.

In Orange County, New York towns and villages, that are generally conservative-leaning, over 500 area residents gathered peacefully to protest recent ICE tactics and to honor Renee Good, whose life they believe was needlessly and violently taken during the same week that we remember the senseless violance of January 6th that hit our country's Capitol in 2021.

One thing is certain, US Courts have made it clear that it is illegal to detain or harm anyone without just cause, AND WITHOUT DUE PROCESS. A Country that doesn't follow court and even Supreme Court orders is losing its right to call itself a Democracy.

On Sunday morning January 10 at short notice, over 100 Cornwall residents gathered in peace at the Cornwall Circle to honor Renee Good, who they believe was murdered in Minnesota on January 7, 2026 without justification or due process.

Everyone has their own perspective when they watch the numerous videos. For me, it appeared clear that she was swerving to the right...away from him. Regardless, his life was far from in danger.

Another hundred residents of Monroe stood along the highway protesting

tactics of ICE

And over 200 more were on the streets peacefully protesting in

Goshen, the County's capital, in front of the Orange County Government

Center.

Yet another protest is planned for this week in Chester, where citizens will

urge its Town Board to be clear about not permitting the former Pep-Boys

Warehouse to be repurposed as an immigrant detention center, Congressman Pat Ryan calling the leaked proposal language to warehouse immigrants there similar to PRIME merchandising, "Abhorrent and disgusting".

As a student at the University of Kentucky many years ago, I witnessed that

following the shootings of Kent State protesters, Armed tanks came through the

quiet Town of Lexington, and drove through the common greens near the

Student Center with gas masks on and gas ready to be deployed if "necessary",

and terrified students who were simply going to classes, or to meet a friend

for lunch. There were NO protests being held on the University of Kentucky campus. I have never "protested" in person myself, simply believing (especially after that one encounter" that there are better POSITIVE ways to change than standing along a street, and that it can by its nature incite an unbalanced authority figure or individual. But I completely believe that those who take that path have the right to do so...for heaven's sake its one of the prime tenets of our Constitution.

I do not know details of how this huge divide in America can be resolved. But

I do know that it must be done with peace and law and following our constitution which gives the majority of people the right to decide our laws and how they can be followed peacefully and justifiably. If you differ significantly with someone, pause the conversation and then ask "What other response would you find acceptable". For goodness sake, my nephews were taught to NEGOTIATE in Montessori School when they were about 6 years old. How much diplomacy is being taught in our schools today?

Terror and violence will beget only more terror and violence. That is a physiological FACT! The truth is that when you act in violence and/or plan violence, you are building an entire neural network for it (and using up the brain space that otherwise might be peaceful resolutions). We MUST work hard to come up with peaceful ways to resolve this! Our Democracy, and perhaps even our lives may depend on it. Full Stop.

Meanwhile, Aloka and his compadre of Buddhist Monks have traveled America,

from Texas to Virginia and on their way to Washington, D.C., preaching that

Mindfulnes, Love and Peace are the way. Many thousands of Americans have met with them and marched with them, sharing flowers, peace bracelets and well wishes. They are convinced that there is a just and PEACEFUL way to resolve every issue. When they try to give Aloki a rest he complains "I need to march for Peace with you", so they give him a short rest. If these people and this determined dog (rescued from the streets of India) with a heart on his forehead and a natural saffron colored coat that matches the Buddhist Priests, can convince millions of Americans to choose a peaceful way, then we can do it too.

This is how far Aloka has marched to show that we can find Peace

Note: The opinions in this story are mine and do not represent any others who represent or are in support of the Courier Journal.

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