Protesters shouldn’t have to fear for their lives

I am watching with dismay as the violence in Los Angeles plays out in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in that city (“Hegseth defends LA military deployment, budget at heated Congressional hearing,” June 10). My fear is that, once a protester picks up a brick for whatever reason, they make themselves the very target that this administration has sought.

A major effect of nonviolent protest was the outrage that many felt when clearly innocent and unarmed people, trying to speak out against injustice, were assaulted with batons and fire hoses. These included children who had found the courage to make themselves part of a nationwide effort to protest poor treatment.

Sadly, an administration that is willing to respond with lethal force to the concerns of its citizenry clearly displays its determination to establish an autocratic state. Anyone who contradicts a popular narrative has to expect pushback, but they shouldn’t have to fear for their lives.

— Gilbert Bliss, Freeland

Is Maryland the California of the East?

Maryland is getting ready to pass Massachusetts as the new California of the East Coast (“Electric vehicles remain true path to progress in Maryland,” May 12).

Here we are dictating that all car buyers eventually must purchase electric vehicles when rolling blackouts are in Maryland’s future. Maryland also spends money that they don’t have like a teenager who leaves home the first time.

What a disgusting situation. After all, I guess we can always raise taxes then invent other things to tax!

— Bill Zambiasi, Arnold

LA may soon become the next Kent State

In May 1970, students at Kent State University peacefully protested U.S. government policy. The National Guard was summoned. Four students were shot and killed.

President Donald Trump has now sent the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles where citizens are protesting U.S. government policy (“Marines that deployed to Los Angeles have not yet responded to immigration protests,” June 10).

I hope I am wrong but I feel that a tragedy (another Kent State) is soon to occur. To quote the words of Pete Seeger in his lyric on the need for mutual understanding and hate reduction, “When will they ever learn?”

— Irwin E. Weiss, Lutherville

Is Inner Harbor safe to splash in?

Yes, raw human waste from a Southeast Baltimore neighborhood is leaking into the Inner Harbor, and it is not the first time or the last time it will happen (“Sewage leaking into Inner Harbor despite Baltimore’s pledge to end overflows,” June 11). Can’t wait to see the mayor, maybe even Gov. Wes Moore, City Council President Zeke Cohen and possibly up to 100 people jump into the Inner Harbor for the Harbor Splash event on June 21 and declare the water safe to swim in.

I bet the mayor makes sure the jump-in point is clean as a whistle from possible floating debris, but those little microbes are still in there, so swimmers beware. And above all, please don’t drink the water!

— Stas Chrzanowski, Baltimore