Protest: Going to home of councilman was justified

“Protesters have no right to scare my kids at home,” (TNT guest op-ed, 9/13).

Tacoma protesters were not scaring your children, Mrs. McCarthy. They were showing them what democratic citizens do when something demands attention.

A nonthreatening, weaponless crowd gathers in front of the house of an elected official. Think about the message that sends and the motivatons for such an act. Imagine suffering a grave injustice, yet not having your voice heard by the people who have the power to make it right.

McCarthy’s husband, Tacoma City Council member Conor McCarthy, was elected to serve the community; the crowd of citizens was there to guarantee he had all the information he needed to do his job.

It was an intense tactic, and certainly not one appropriate for every grievance, but the demonstrators felt it was necessary. When an issue impacts your life enough - when you see enough of your brothers and sisters die at the hands of those employed to protect them - you can become willing to impact others’ for an evening.

Politicians’ families are not more entitled to comfort than citizens are to justice.

This story was originally published September 30, 2020 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Protest: Going to home of councilman was justified."