Although the Oct. 13 article “Trump proposal could restrict protesters in D.C.” attaches the proposed restrictions to the National Park Service, this is obviously yet another attempt by the Trump administration to suppress protests. It is what Russia, Saudi Arabia, and other dictator states do. Trump is taking their example.
The sidewalk along Pennsylvania Avenue, the National Mall, and other parks in Washington are owned by the citizens of the country and Washington, D.C. The taxpayers already pay for their maintenance and are quite willing to foot the bill. Trying to charge a fee for their use is outrageous. If the budget for the National Park Service is insufficient to cover the cost of cleanup after protests, then the agency can request an increase in its budget from Congress.
The Trump administration knows that if a fee is charged, many protests will be priced out. First the press is labeled the enemy of the people, and now Trump is attacking the citizens as the enemy of the government.
If the Trump administration doesn’t like the protests, then it should address what the people are protesting about: the lack of democracy.
Marcel Kates
Pepperell
