As a small-time musician, I have little place in the conversation, but I must express that I am disturbed by the pattern I am sensing.

The killing of Charlie Kirk in Utah has led to condolences, thoughts and prayers from politicians in Maine, far beyond any for the victims of recent atrocities or tragedies that have taken place here over the past few years.

I have lived in Portland my entire life. To my knowledge, no Maine politician spoke about either incident that took place within the last five years at Casco Bay High School and Mt. Ararat Middle School, both involving threats of an active shooter, and both involving evacuation and early dismissal.

They say they don’t condone political violence, and yet, when the survivors of the Lewiston shooting, as well as the families of the victims, stated their intent to sue the United States government, there was no response.

They say they don’t condone political violence, but they fail to listen to victims of crisis in the place that they’re supposed to help us call home.

They will, however, pray for a man who dedicated his life to justifying death for the sake of the Second Amendment, inciting violence toward transgender individuals and athletes, declaring the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as a “huge mistake,” and letting his very last words be a continuation of transphobic, xenophobic rhetoric.

They turn their back on Maine when we need them.

Alaska Sargent
Portland