At some point between the brief time span separating the mass slaughter on the streets of Las Vegas and the Valentine’s Day massacre in the Parkland, Fla., high school, I came across a relevant YouTube video. It featured Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and rocker Sheryl Crow. Richards was discussing the Stones’ 1968 song “Street Fighting Man,” which was banned in some U.S. cities. The gist of the message was that of taking to the streets in protest of injustice or to rally in favor of a worthy cause. Crow agreed, saying that the song is still pertinent and is the anthem for what is happening in America right this second.
Taking to the streets en masse or speaking directly to legislators represent time-honored mores of our democracy since its very beginning. Whether demonstrating in support of issues like women’s rights, racial equality or environmental concerns of native nations at Standing Rock, taking action is imperative.
Conversely, acting in opposition to affronts such as a senseless war, the Northern Pass or to the rampant availability of AR-15 assault rifles and 30-round magazines, peacefully speaking out is an essential right under the First Amendment of our Constitution.
In retracing the origins of “Street Fighting Man,” Richards reminds viewers that “America wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for people going to the streets.”
All Americans have been traumatized by the never-ending gun violence (so often committed by Americans) against innocent citizens, whether in school, in church, at a concert or at any place where people gather. Time after time we’ve said this has to stop. But with our vomitous autocrat-in-chief and his right-wing minions in Congress so monetarily influenced by NRA lobbying power, nothing meaningful has changed.
Now, Donald Trump’s toilet paper bandage to school massacres is to arm teachers. More guns, not less. Overwhelmingly, teachers, cops, students and their parents don’t want any part of such a ridiculous idea. For one thing, they understand Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” Making assault weapons illegal would lessen the chances of that adage’s probability without arming educators.
Nearly 70 years ago, President Harry Truman said in a message to Congress, “Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.” The Rolling Stones’ song says this in a different way.
I’m so proud of the Parkland survivors and students all across this country for the courage, resilience and energy they’re so clearly expressing in words and actions. With Truman’s and the Stones’ message in mind, I encourage them not to give up and for all of us who are older to join their efforts toward significant gun control.
There exist many restrictions that would uphold responsible gun owners’ rights while helping to protect people innocently carrying on with their lives.
(Paul Nichols lives in Loudon.)