To the Journal editor:

The right to peacefully protest protects everyone against the boiling over of anger into violence, revolution, or civil war.

Peaceful protest — such as women suffragettes, Frederick Douglas, Chief Joseph, Gandhi, MLK, Jr., Nelson Mandela — forced beneficial changes that made our world a far better place! Without peaceful protest (including economic boycotts), it is questionable if legitimate, necessary change would have occurred? Thus, protests act as a critical check against social/political injustice, stagnation, autocracy and abuse of power.

Re:  http://www.miningjournal.net/news/front-page-news/2017/02/adamini-social-media-postings-cause-uproar-marquette-county-gop-officer-suggests-kent-state-response-to-campus-protests/, was tweet of Mr. Dan Adamini, “One bullet stops a lot of thuggery”  a suggestion to irrational, mentally/emotionally unstable, or angry people with access to weapons? 

Does Mr. Adamini not consider shooting a human being “thuggery,” when non-violence could be used to arrest and stop smashing windows or property damage? The legal term for unnecessarily targeting of someone might be “murder” — not “thuggery.”

Adamini’s statements are morally reprehensible. He should be denounced personally and publicly.  People in Marquette should say to Mr. Adamini, “What you tweeted was wrong.”

The Republican Party should publicly correct Adamini. To not do so is to condone his incitement. His response that he is sorry that people are upset is adequate: he should have said that he absolutely rejects the use of violence.

 Sadly, the example of the condoning of violence now comes from the highest authority in our government: supporters of Donald Trump have been incited to violence at his rallies by Trump himself: “He should have been, maybe he should have been roughed up.”  See:  http://mashable.com/2016/03/12/trump-rally-incite-violence/#QFD0pGYvziq3 or https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000004269364/trump-and-violence.html

 The vast majority of protests over the actions of Donald Trump have been respectful and peaceful, as is our American and human right — indeed, our obligation. The majority of the U.S. population disavows savage words, false accusations and violent reactions.

The violence in Berkeley was denounced and will be prosecuted. It should not be amped up further.  Anyone who condones or incites violence in response is un-American and should be told so.

Mary Lane

Dearborn