I am sure that I am not the only member of the American Legion who has this question on my mind. As Legionnaires, we pledge to uphold the Constitution, maintain law and order and combat autocracy. One would have to be blind not to take notice of the blatant assault on the Fourth Amendment, when ICE breaks down the doors of American citizens, kidnaps children and kills or unlawfully detains American citizens.

They tell us that they are after the worst of the worst, but their actions speak louder than words. Judging from their actions, ICE is engaged in a campaign of violent intimidation against the American people. This is not law and order, nor is it seated in our laws and societal norms.

As one who has sworn to defend the Constitution and uphold the ideal of law and order, I shake my head in wonder that, instead of acting to check this outrageous abuse of power, that the American Legion post in Scarborough has allowed itself to be an abettor in these criminally irresponsible activities.

I call on Commander Dan Wiley to direct that all posts of the American Legion not give any aid or support to ICE until such time that members of ICE and associated enforcement agencies have been adequately trained to protect the people’s constitutional rights, properly investigate the deaths of Good, Pretti and the others who have died in their custody and adhere to the rule of law.

Fred Nehring
Boothbay