Editor,
The cast of “Hamilton” exercised their Constitutionally protected right of free speech when they addressed Mike Pence, who was in the audience. Donald Trump’s three critical tweets in response will certainly have a “chilling effect” on others who, in the future, might consider making a public statement that Donald Trump doesn’t like.
It is one thing for a presidential candidate to stifle free expression by unleashing a Twitter storm – it’s another thing altogether for the president-elect or the president to exhibit such hostility to our first amendment rights.
All of us must be vigilant to protect the rights put in place by our Founding Fathers. I call on our elected representatives, particularly those in the Republican Party (Todd Young, Jackie Walorski, Jim Banks, Todd Rokita, Susan Brooks, Luke Messer, Larry Bucshon, Trey Hollingsworth) to stand up against the efforts of the leaders of their party to diminish the rights of the people.
I call on the editors of the Current to strongly condemn all efforts, by any government official, to stifle first amendment rights.
Suzanne O’Shea, Carmel