Recently, a pro-gun event flyer was posted on the What’s Up Mancos/Dolores/Cortez Facebook page. It could easily be interpreted as an incitement to violence.
A big red band across the top reads:
“ELIMINATE THE RADICAL LEFT. TAKE BACK COLORADO.”
Large words across the bottom say: “This isn’t a lecture. It’s a battle plan.”
We cannot stay silent as extremists in our community imply they will kill anyone who disagrees with them. If we allow this line to be crossed, what’s next?
Who is the “radical left” the organizers are so afraid of?
Is it us?
We believe that a person with a serious mental illness or violent criminal record shouldn’t be allowed to own an automatic weapon. We have more safety laws in place for cars than we do for guns.
We believe that all people – black, brown and white; citizens and immigrants; straight ranchers and transgender youths – should be treated with respect and care.
Just like you, we have kids and grandkids we love. We are your neighbors.
Jesus taught us to love our neighbors and bless our enemies. It is time to address the issue of so-called Christians advocating violence and hate.
You won’t hear us calling to eliminate right-wing extremists. Instead, we call on event organizers to eliminate the threatening, violent language. If they refuse, we call on the Lewis-Arriola Community Center to take some responsibility and cancel this event, because this is not a community event. It is about destroying community.
The people with just initials chose to sign without using their full name, for fear of retribution.
Kris Abrams, Chris Barns, Jody Chapel, Kareylou Christensen, Patty Coen, Sasha Cucci, Danielle Desruisseaux, Tami Graham, Laurie Hall, Charles Hall, Jeffrey Hegg, Alex Janavaris, Jim Law, Lisa Martin, Craig McClure, Denise Milliken, Carole Morain, Keith Riker, Tonilyn Saletta, Andrew Saletta, Kim Sheek, Kate Wall, Michael Floyd Wingo, Tom Yoder, TJ Zark, M.M. Kirk, T. Titone, N.C., R.D., E.M.D., C.D., S.H., A.H., C.H., W.J., E.J., M.L., J.L., K.M., E.W.P., D.R., C.S., G.T., B.W., C.W., Mancos
Tustin Amole, Raleigh Cato, Sarah Drummond, Terri Helm, Henk Huetink, Chris Kelly, Celine Leavitt, Barbara Massey, Marian Morris, Caitlin Munroe, Roxanne Rogers, Karen Sheek, John Sheek, Jeff Slaten, C.J. Slaten, Sarah Sticha, Rand West, Kate McGinley West, Helen West, Alana Yerman, T. Parry, L.B., R.B., K.C., T.F., A.J.M, A.M., D.P., C.S., H.S., M.S., Cortez
Julia Anderson, Angela Atkinson, Ellen J. Benson, Jeanne Cain, Molly Cooper, Joellen Dickey, Elena Donharl, Joe and Rita Fowler, Chris Rowinski, Terry Sano, E.B., R.B., T.D., C.L., J.R., K.V., Dolores
Jean Behr, G.M., Dove Creek
Chuck McAfee, MB McAfee, Lewis
Jill Jordan, Erin Leosz, Rico
Holly Woods, Julie Kostuch, A.J.M., L.R., E.W., Durango
Dr. Christine Fonner, Silverton
Eric Terrell, Montezuma County
Susan Pierce, Dolores County
