Yard signs are a tried and true campaign method during campaign season in Juneau. However, for the first time I can remember I’ve seen something very disturbing — several Donald Trump signs defaced with black paint. As much as I detest presidential candidate Donald Trump’s lack of civility and unthinking platform, I am more disturbed with what the black paint represents — a lack of respect, and an affront to freedom of speech, which is a cornerstone of our democracy. Lets “go high instead of going low,” as our First Lady Michelle Obama says. Instead of meeting incivility with incivility, let’s continue our proud tradition of civility in campaigning and respect our right to freedom of speech in Juneau.
Jim Powell,
Former Assembly member and deputy mayor