Here on Long Island, in NYCD-1, we woke up this morning to the devastating news that someone or a group of someones thought it would be a great idea to stencil these remarks on Perry Gershon signs.
We are sick, disgusted and oh so angry, especially after the week of violence we witnessed in this country. We gathered, canvassed (even in pouring rain) texted and called, all the while comforting each other against the hate that is trying to rule us. We vowed to remain steadfast- that the only way to win is to Get Out The Vote on November 6th.
And then we saw these signs.
There is a debate tonight. Lee Zeldin, our republican congressman, has been avoiding debates and town halls. Taking a page out of trump’s playbook, he has resorted to name calling and lies. Nothing about issues (because he’s voted against our best interests time and time again). His campaign is full of fear-mongering and scare tactics- and now his followers have taken it upon themselves to show us what kind of people they really are.
(Aside note- the debate tonight starts at 7, at a small town high school. Seats will be limited. Zeldin has told his deplorables that it starts at 6:30. Calls are going out to get there early- some are leaving as early as 5:00. Crazy.)
Perry Gershon has been all over the district speaking only about the issues that affect all of us living on Long Island. Health care. Climate Change. Gun Control. In what has become a ‘red’ district, we are head to head right now. Perry has been endorsed by our local paper. Which is why they have to resort to these bully tactics.
I have been active in politics since 1968. Never have I witnessed what is happening today. This is not how democracy works. We’ve been asking ourselves all morning, “Where do we go from here? How do we respond to this? How much more can we tolerate?”
What has happened to my country?