No Kings rally supported First Amendment rights

To the Editor:
A few weeks ago, 50 residents of the Deerfield Valley gathered to hear, and ask questions of, their three town clerks; a result of a bipartisan organizing effort. Church groups, our two libraries, and shop owners came together to learn how Vermont protects voting rights, safety, and integrity.
Last week, several postcard-writing parties were held around the Deerfield Valley, generating thousands of postcards for swing states throughout the country. There is evidence that postcard writing increases voter turnout. Research shows that for every thousand postcards sent, 13 more voters will go to the polls.
This past Saturday, October 17, Deerfield Valley citizens, along with our neighbors from Jamaica, again joined thousands of other communities around the country to say that our voices matter when it comes to holding our government accountable for unrestrained corruption; a reckless, unauthorized war; gutted healthcare; and billions spent on vanity projects we never asked for. Approximately 100 people stood in the cold and freezing rain to encourage early voting in this very consequential upcoming election.
I am grateful to those who came out on Saturday for the No Kings rally to exercise their First Amendment right of free speech. They show me that there is hope for change and that there is lots of energy to push back on the people currently in power. We deserve better.
Karen Lerner Gaynin
West Dover