Trump rally in Oban sparks discussion
THERE was a huge response on
The Oban Times Facebook page following a post last Thursday informing readers there was to be an Argyll Against Trump rally in Stafford Street, Oban, that evening.
A small number of hardy souls – probably between 20 and 30 – gathered on a cold, dreich evening to vent their spleens at the new United States president.
A large number of those who commented on our social media platform were incensed that people would demonstrate against Mr Trump, ranting on that those at the rally would be better served protesting about more important issues such as the failing waste collection system in Argyll and Bute.
I have been a vociferous critic of the three-weekly bins schedule but would defend absolutely the right of the protesters to demonstrate against the US head of state.
People can feel strongly about more than one issue and it is quite correct for them to air those opinions in public.
As for those who berated the protesters, we live in a democracy in which people are perfectly entitled to speak out on what they consider to be important issues.
Perhaps instead of chiding them, they should be organising their own rallies on the topics they believe to be more important.
No, I don’t suppose for a minute that the new administration will alter one iota of its governmental programme, but hats off to those who turned out last week for having the courage of their convictions and making them known.