Along with many, I have expressed my First Amendment rights to peaceful speech and lawful assembly since 1966. I am preparing to participate in a peaceful protest in the weeks and months ahead. Coordinating organizations such as MoveOn, Indivisible and ACLU and others are telling me to prepare with some sobering advice.

I am told to prepare to de-escalate aggressive confrontations by individuals and groups, including ICE, through specific body language and posture, walking a certain way and saying specific words. Also, I should have an emergency plan, including a safe escape route, local law enforcement contact information, a first aid kit and defensive fight tactics as a last resort.

This is what America has come to. Nothing has changed in the past five decades of my expression of First Amendment rights. Individuals and groups I have joined have interacted with local law enforcement with friendly talk and amiable actions.

What has changed? Since the Trump White House, there is a publicly-funded, private army which to me is reminiscent of 1930’s, Germany-style Gestapo, charged with stopping free speech and lawful assembly through fear, intimidation and deadly force. The result is that in the past 12 months insecurity and chaos have exponentially increased in this republic.

It will continue if Trump’s “might makes right” policies are allowed to stand, and he is given immunity from any legal, moral or civil precepts.

Editor’s note: This letter was submitted in response to a Sky-Hi News article from Jan. 13 titled “Fraser Valley holds candlelight vigil for Renee Good.”