When Rep. Chris Pappas filed for reelection in June he was questioned about the five people who were arrested in his office protesting the bombing of Gaza. His response was, “Everyone’s free to speak their piece.” He ignored that those five people represented a large group of his constituents. We represent peace groups, church groups, Jewish groups, environmental groups. He ignored our concern for the tens of thousands who had been killed. He ignored the fact that this massive bombing caused priceless cultural loss and an environmental disaster. Everyone has seen the enormous clouds of smoke and debris polluting the air. Two thousand pound bombs destroy sewage treatment plants, hospitals, churches, factories and schools and the materials and chemicals from them contaminate the air and sea.

We had visited Rep. Pappas’ office ten times with requests for him to support a ceasefire, to restore funding for food, medicine and housing for the million and a half displaced Palestinians. Rep. Pappas has never responded directly to our questions about where he stands. He responds that he cares about Palestinians and their suffering. Yet, he continues to vote for billions for weapons to Israel including white phosphorus. Those five citizens are Amy Antonucci, Barrington; Em Friedrichs, Durham; Rev. David Grishaw-Jones, Durham; Janet Simmon, Laconia; and Janet Zeller, Concord. They represent voters who want an end to these atrocities. Chris Pappas is our representative. It is his job to pay attention to his constituents.

Janet Simmon

Laconia