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Build on momentum
from ‘No Kings’ rallies
Re: “‘No Kings’ rallies galvanize region” (Page A1, Oct. 19).
Thank you for your coverage of the Bay Area “No Kings” protests. As a psychiatrist, I recognize the mental health benefits of a joyous gathering to speak on topics that we are passionate about.
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One area of huge importance did not get much coverage — the administration’s attack on clean energy and rollbacks of environmental regulations essential to protect the health of our communities. In California, we have the opportunity to pass the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act, AB 1243 and SB 684. Rather than relying on government funds to clean up fossil fuel pollution and climate damage like wildfires, this bill holds the largest polluters accountable. Just imagine what our communities could do with $150 billion — a tiny proportion of the industry’s profits.
We all need to contact our legislators to demand that they continue California’s climate progress. Action is the antidote to climate anxiety.
Wendy Bernstein
Berkeley
Marches are a call
to stay engaged
Re: “‘No Kings’ rallies galvanize region” (Page A1, Oct. 19).
The Oct. 18 “No Kings” rallies, which brought out hundreds of thousands across the Bay Area, were heartening and powerful. But these moments must lead to more — sustained civic engagement in our communities and governance.
To truly be represented, we must consistently participate in democracy at all levels — not just during major elections, but through ongoing involvement in local boards, councils and advocacy.
As a physician, I worry about how weakened environmental policies directly harm the health of my patients. The federal rollback of climate protections is dangerous, and even in California, Gov. Newsom has supported expanded oil drilling and weakened environmental safeguards. That’s unacceptable during a climate crisis.
Democracy and climate justice are not separate fights — they are fundamentally connected. Our health, safety and future depend on both. It’s time we make that known to leaders across California and beyond.
Hina Fullar
Alamo
‘Childish ploy’ a serious
reaction to GOP rigging
Re: “Proposition 50 a childish ploy for dominance” (Page A12, Oct. 19).
I really enjoyed Christopher Andrus’ Oct. 19 letter to the East Bay Times claiming that supporters of Proposition 50 are childish, and lecturing readers on the destruction of democracy.
Perhaps Andrus is unaware that Proposition 50 is in response to Donald Trump’s call on Republican-led states to change (aka “gerrymander”) their congressional districts mid-census to assure that more Republicans win office, and that Texas and Missouri have already done so. Perhaps Andrus believes that the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol by Trump supporters was acceptable adult behavior, and that assaulting police officers was something to be proud of. It wasn’t, and that’s why more than 1,500 rioters were charged with crimes.
I’ve already voted, and I voted in favor of Proposition 50, the Election Rigging Response Act.
Mark Sarconi
Lafayette
Prop. 50 a misguided
effort to strike at Trump
Even if you can’t stand Donald Trump, it makes no sense to hurt yourself by voting yes on Proposition 50.
By doing so, you are ceding what little power you have remaining back to the politicians in Sacramento, and all because you want to stick it to Trump. Think it through. I plead with you.
Paul Stone
Dublin
‘No Kings’ a counter
to Trump’s childishness
I was watching a noontime show on the Fox News channel the Monday after over 7 million Americans were demonstrating against the Trump administration. The host of the show just couldn’t understand why we were demonstrating. She repeatedly said how she just didn’t understand the point of the demonstration. “Maybe it’s the shutdown?” she asked.
I really don’t know if she was playing dumb or was just plain ignorant of Donald Trump’s tactics. Meanwhile, in the background, images were being displayed of protesters holding signs that read: “Free Press,” “Free Speech,” “Stay out of Chicago,” “No Ice,” and most importantly, “No Kings.” All she had to do was read those signs.
I wonder if she’ll ever learn about Trump’s Oct. 18 post on Truth Social of the AI-generated video of him flying a jet, which dumped a “brown substance” on the crowds below. This, from our president. What a guy.
Lisa Rigge
Pleasanton
Liberals forget about
protecting birds
Liberals argue that we need wind power to produce electricity, but they don’t seem very concerned about the number of birds that the large wind turbines kill each year. (The American Bird Conservancy estimates about 1 million birds are killed each year in the United States by wind turbines.)
This is sure a different story than we heard back in 1990 when the entire lumber industry in the Pacific Northwest was virtually shut down (with a loss of around 25,000 jobs) in order to protect a few spotted owls.
Mike Heller
Walnut Creek
