Two articles really caught my attention recently. The first, “Artist pulls solo show at Smithsonian over alleged censorship” (July 25, Nation & World), told of artist Amy Sherald withdrawing her upcoming solo show from the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery because she’d been told the museum was considering removing one of her paintings to avoid provoking President Donald Trump.
In the second, “THING festival cancels Latin day amid ‘community safety concerns,’ ” (July 24, Entertainment) low ticket sales and uncertainty about artists securing visas are cited. The visa issue has been exacerbated by the return to office of Trump.
When people fear the government, it is tyranny. When the government fears the people, it is liberty. I stand firmly for liberty and justice for all. Let’s work hard for it.
Monica Clement, Issaquah
